Transfers

FPL transfers: The latest new Premier League signings assessed

Our latest Fantasy Premier League (FPL) transfer round-up looks at some more moves from the last fortnight.

The most significant players will be the subject of their own dedicated Scout Report but all the others will feature in regular round-ups over pre-season, continuing with this one.

You’ll find all the major deals on our dedicated Transfers page, while you can get a club-by-club guide to the key moves via our comprehensive Pre-Season tab.

Our sister website, Fantasy Football Community, also has a daily round-up of the latest transfer rumours.

LATEST FPL SCOUT REPORTS

You can find more articles on the likes of Erling Haaland and Ivan Perisic in our Scout Reports section.

FPL TRANSFER ROUND-UP

Phillips' return boosts Leeds' clean sheet potential as Arsenal fail to impress
Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United to Manchester City, £45m)

Champions Manchester City followed up their capture of star striker Erling Haaland (£11.5m) by securing England midfielder Kalvin Phillips (£5.0m). This summer has seen Fernandinho depart after nine years, as well as constant rumours linking Bernardo Silva (£7.0m) with Barcelona.

Having left his boyhood team for greener pastures, Phillips will expect to get plenty of game-time during a 60-game season even if he doesn’t initially start in Pep Guardiola’s XI.

From an FPL viewpoint, the 26-year-old offers little appeal. His two seasons of Premier League football have brought just one goal and three assists, showcasing how his on-field talents lie elsewhere. He tackles, he intercepts and he will start City attacks, just don’t expect any attacking returns.

Sven Botman (Lille to Newcastle United, £35m)

This long-running transfer saga finally resulted in pun-friendly Sven Botman (£4.5m) arriving at St James’ Park for around £35m.

A January move failed to materialise and the continued interest of AC Milan threatened to prevent Eddie Howe from securing his top defensive target. Eventually, his persistence paid off, as excitement builds over the ability of this 22-year-old Dutch international.

He is a 6ft 5in left-footed centre-back that is dominant in the air, yet very comfortable with the ball at his feet. The three league goals of last season may interest FPL managers, as could the much-improved Newcastle defence of 2022.

Shambolic for the first half of the season, things changed after Gameweek 22. With Kieran Trippier (£5.0m), Dan Burn (£4.5m) and Matt Targett (£5.0m) added to the backline, only five teams conceded fewer from then on; the Magpies also ranking joint-fourth for clean sheets.

“With Botman expected to start, Fabian Schar, who signed an extension to stay, and Dan Burn — recruited in January — will compete for the other centre-back slot.

“Mid-season, Howe sought a left-sided centre-back, but this summer he was open to signing a defender who could play in either position, even if Botman was the primary target. Howe prefers the “balance” of a left-footer and right-footer together, suggesting Schar may be favourite to retain his starting place. Yet it is understood that Howe is not necessarily wedded to that approach and is open to playing two left-footers.

“Jamaal Lascelles, the club captain, will only be pushed further down the pecking order and, although there will be increasing questions surrounding his long-term future, as things stand he looks set to be the fourth centre-half in the squad.” – Chris Waugh, The Athletic

James Tarkowski has signed a four-year deal
James Tarkowski (Burnley to Everton, free)

It was announced on Saturday that Everton had landed the free transfer of James Tarkowski (£4.5m). With Burnley relegated after six seasons in the Premier League, the 29-year-old centre-back now has the task of shoring up a defence which let in 66 goals and nearly took the Clarets’ relegation spot.

Only four teams conceded on more occasions than the Toffees after Frank Lampard’s arrival.

Expect FPL managers to initially stay away from Everton’s defence, then, and not just because of frailty. They begin the season against Chelsea, whilst also facing Liverpool (H) and Arsenal (a) by Gameweek 7.

Joint-13th and third for shots in the box and big chances respectively among FPL defenders last season, Tarkowski does carry a bit of goal threat.

Joao Palhinha (Sporting Lisbon to Fulham, £17m)

Newly-promoted Fulham kicked off their summer recruitment by sealing a deal for Sporting Lisbon’s Joao Palhinha (£5.0m). The Portuguese defensive midfielder spent several seasons on loan at Moreirense, Belenenses and Braga before coming back to play a key role during Sporting’s first league title win in 19 years.

He replaces the departing Jean Michael Seri and joins a midfield of Tom Cairney (£5.0m), Harrison Reed (£4.5m), Nathaniel Chalobah (£4.5m) and Josh Onomah (£4.5m) in west London. Goals aren’t completely foreign to Palhinha, who has netted seven times in the last three seasons, but the FPL price betrays that he’s more of a ball-winner than a goal-poacher and he averaged a shot only once every 70 minutes in the Portuguese top flight last year, around 40% of which were from outside the area.

Gameweek 21 Scout Picks features another Man City triple-up
Alphonse Areola (Paris Saint-Germain to West Ham United, £10.2m)

In the first of three goalkeepers, let’s assess former Fulham loanee Alphonse Areola (£4.5m). He played 36 league games for the Cottagers in 2020/21 but just once at West Ham United last season.

£10.2m seems a large fee for an understudy but, with Lukasz Fabianski (£5.0m) still at the club, we have to assume that cup duties will remain Areola’s role. A total of 11 appearances were made in the Europa League – a competition which the Hammers return to this season.

“Alphonse made a huge contribution to the Club during his loan spell last season. His performances backed up why we see him as a top goalkeeper. He brings proven quality and experience at the highest level, both on the domestic and international scene. We’re delighted he’s with us permanently.” – David Moyes

Johnstone owners profit as Newcastle devoid of ideas without attacking stars
Sam Johnstone (West Bromwich Albion to Crystal Palace, free)

We’re less certain of the pecking order at Selhurst Park, where the arrival of Sam Johnstone (£4.5m) leads to more uncertainty that FPL managers may have over Vicente Guaita (£4.5m).

Crystal Palace quietly churned out some fantastic underlying defensive stats last season, keeping the most clean sheets outside of the top five and ranking fifth-best for conceding chances and expected goals (xGC).

Above: Defensive data from our Members Area

Yet goalkeeping rotation was introduced from Gameweek 17, where Guaita and Jack Butland (£4.5m) made 14 and eight starts respectively. Add in Johnstone, who played three times for England in 2021 and wants to get into Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad, and there is supreme competition between the sticks.

Therefore the safest bet for any Palace defensive coverage at this early stage will be via Tyrick Mitchell (£4.5m), Marc Guehi (£4.5m) or Joachim Andersen (£4.5m), not that many FPL managers will want that until Gameweek 10 at the earliest given the tough fixtures that fall before that.

Matt Turner (New England Revolution to Arsenal, undisclosed)

In a deal that was agreed back in February, 28-year-old Matt Turner (£4.0m) has joined Arsenal for an undisclosed fee. His time in Major League Soccer brought 102 appearances for New England Revolution and MVP status during the 2021 All-Stars game, where he came on to save two penalties in the shoot-out.

It continues his incredible spot-kick record – saving ten of 21, including two from former Manchester United winger Nani.

He enters Arsenal behind Aaron Ramsdale (£5.0m) and Bernd Leno (£4.5m) in the pecking order but, should the latter leave, Turner could find his way into Fantasy squads in a double-up with Ramsdale.

Giulian Biancone (Troyes to Nottingham Forest, £5m)

With last season’s revelation Djed Spence set to sign for Spurs, Nottingham Forest have replaced the loanee with right-back Giulian Biancone (£4.5m).

It isn’t necessarily bad news for those that hoped Forest would sign £4.0m FPL option Neco Williams, as the Frenchman seems to be a versatile player who regularly plays centre-half and occasionally at left-back.

He only signed for Troyes last summer but the Ligue 1 side are set to make a quick profit on the stopper, who offers little goal threat for FPL managers to get excited about: he hasn’t scored more than once in a season in his career so far.

“Biancone is a defender capable of playing as a centre-half and a right-back, suggesting he could play in Steve Cooper’s favoured set-up of three central defenders, but is also someone able to slot in on the right of a four-man backline. Forest’s default formation last season was 3-4-1-2, but remember they did occasionally play 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 in Cooper’s early days: in the Premier League, they will need plenty of options, and Biancone would appear to offer that.” – Nick Miller, The Athletic

Joe Rothwell (Blackburn Rovers to Bournemouth, free)

Yet to be given an FPL starting price, free transfer Joe Rothwell has joined Bournemouth after four seasons at Blackburn Rovers.

The 27-year-old has impressed manager Scott Parker with his forward-thinking ability as an advanced central midfielder, a position from which he churned out 10 assists for Rovers in 2020/21.

He was also ninth in the division for total chances created (68) last season, although a large chunk of those did come from set plays and it remains to be seen whether he’ll be as heavily involved at corners and free-kicks.

What also isn’t clear yet is whether Parker sees Rothwell as a regular starter or as back-up.

“Should Parker persist with his 4-3-3 formation next season, Rothwell is more likely to occupy one of the attacking No 8 roles alongside Billing or Lerma, or as an understudy to both.” – Ahmed Shooble, The Athletic

Malcolm Ebiowei (Derby County to Crystal Palace, undisclosed)

Highly-promising teenager Malcolm Ebiowei (£4.5m) joins Patrick Vieira’s south London side, although he’s likely to begin life at under-23 level.

That’s how life at Derby County started when he arrived last summer. Yet it didn’t take long for Ebiowei to progress through their youth squads, with Wayne Rooney promoting him to the first team in February.

A left-footed forward who can also cut inside from the right flank, he ended the season with 16 Championship appearances and one goal.

FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

628 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Boz
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Saka or Jesus in a 451/442?

    Torn between both

    1. Eyes of Blue
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I prefer 442 personally which I guess would lead towards Jesus.

    2. Tomerick
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Same struggle here. I think the 8m mid gives more flexibility than the striker position.

    3. Fish up a tree
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Jesus for me as I can see Saka getting reduced minutes, early subs & the odd rest this year as we burnt him out last season & we are looking for a RW to come in for cover & shift on Pepe..

    4. WVA
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Jesus in a 442 makes the most sense all round

    5. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      This is my dilemma. I like 2 up top but that second 8 m slot could be valuable in midfield and don’t want to weaken defence

      1. WVA
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Mendy
        TAA Cancelo Doherty Tomiyasu
        Salah Kulu Mount Neto
        Haaland Jesus

        Strong keeper
        Strong defence with lots of good options at 5 and 4.5
        Two 8m mids and lots of good options at 5.5 this season
        Haaland Jesus speak for themselves

        1. Tomerick
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          The problem is does Jesus really outscore Robertson who you could have in defence of you downgraded Jesus.

          1. WVA
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Not keen on 5 at the back or 1 up top. Started with TAA Robbo last season and it went terribly, maybe later in the season.

            1. Tomerick
              • 9 Years
              1 year, 8 months ago

              Of course it did, Robbo was injured at the start of last season :-p.

              1. WVA
                • 7 Years
                1 year, 8 months ago

                Sorry last last season

    6. threesticks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Jesus

  2. ONLYPEPKNOWS
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A no-Salah draft:

    Raya
    TAA / James / Cancelo / Tomiyaso
    Mount / Raphina / Diaz / Son
    Haaland / Toney

    Worthy?

    1. Eyes of Blue
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I like it.

  3. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Robertson and Perisic in 5-3-2

    Or

    Diaz and Doherty in 4-4-2

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      All depends on how the Spurs fullbacks get on in pre season

  4. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Is Wissa nailed for Brentford?

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      First choice in the front 3 with Mbeumo and Toney but a bit like Kulu, he's the first to be subbed/dropped etc

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Ah ok cheers!

    2. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Someone noticed my punt

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        He only got in the first team squad late in the season, and was used as a sub for a while. I suspect this season he'll start regularly.

      2. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        🙂

    3. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I think someone pointed out recently that Brentford were shifting betweem 532/523 depending on opposition so he's likely to be in & out the starting 11. Can't remember who though - maybe Natedogg might know about this?

    4. Rootseyyy
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I think from what i remember reading, he played when brentford play 4-3-3 but when they resort to 3-5-2 he ends up being dropped and they went with Toney + Mbeumo up top

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Thanks everyone, so not nailed unless they stick to a certain formation/setup it seems.

  5. anish10
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Hows this first draft:

    Sanchez
    TAA / Cancelo / Chilwell / Trippier
    Salah / Diaz / Neto / Saka / Bruno.G
    Halaand

    4.0 / White / 4.5 / 4.5

  6. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A) Ramdsdale + Chilwell + Neto

    Or

    B) Raya + Cash + Rashford

    Currently on A but it feels very template

  7. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Raya
    Taa Cancelo Gabriel Jonny (4.0)
    Salah Son Foden Martinelli (4.5)
    Vardy Johnson (4.5)

    2 strikers are differentials, Salah & Son rotate well for the captaincy & the two essentials in defence covered Taa & Cancelo.

    Thoughts?

  8. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Today is a marvellous day for the UK.

    How do we go about getting Jurgen Klopp in as the new Prime Minister?

    1. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Heavy metal politics

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Slash for PM - now there's an idea.

        1. Grande Tubarão
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          He’s still alive?! 😯

        2. Tomerick
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          There’d be less parties under Slash at least

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Don't be silly. Everyone will vote for Gareth Southgate (or Marcus Rashford!)

  9. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    To complete draft

    A Jesus Martinelli/6m
    B Johnson/6 m Saka/8 m

    Raya
    TAA James Cancelo Peresic
    Salah L Díaz ***** Neto
    Haaland ****

    Ward Tomiyasu Andreas Greenwood

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Tough, think I'd go B. Lovely team bar Raya

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Thanks- would you drop Cancelo to Laporte or James to Trippier to afford Mendy or even Ederson?

  10. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Not sure whether to go for the brendford double in goals for safety of starts or pick Mendy or ramsdale. Who are you going for ? Cheetah

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Cheers:)

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Depends if you want your keeper to keep any clean sheets or not?

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Lol

  11. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    I can’t resist Mitrovic, I’m trapped

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      In the mud

  12. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Give your best mid and fwd combination for 12.0m max

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      *Already have Martinelli

  13. LangerznMash
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    I think the Leeds defence will be significantly better this season regardless of losing Kalvin Phillips (only 3 CS in the 17 games he started).
    They have spent £43 million signing three quality defensive players in right back Rasmus Kristensen and defensive midfielders Marc Roca and Tyler Adams.
    Captain Cooper was injured for the horrific 16 match period were 47 goals were conceded. In the 5 games Leeds actually managed a clean sheet, Cooper started all of them indicating his absence was very significant. This is further supported as Leeds only conceded 26 goals in the 20 games Cooper started (1.3 per game) vs 53 conceded in the 18 games he didn't (2.95 per game), a massive difference of 1.65 goals conceded per game.
    Leeds in 2021/22 under Bielsa 63 conceded goals (2.33) and managed 3 clean sheets in 27 matches. Jesse Marsch's record was 16 goals conceded (1.45) and 2 clean sheets in 11 matches. An improvement of 0.88 goals conceded per game.
    Marsch ditched the man-to-man marking system for set pieces and were clearly improved as a result. Under Bielsa in 2021/21 they concede 13 goals from set pieces. Under Marsch they only conceded from (indirect) set pieces on 2 occasions.

    TL;DR = Leeds should keep more clean-sheets this season.

  14. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    for me, the start of the season is all about betting on stability and avoiding uncertainty. I see a lot of Arsenal assets in the drafts and although the great fixtures can't be ignored, going for arsenal assets is too much of a gamble at that stage.

    We don't know how they will line-up. The squad depth is huge and they could also add Tielemans in the few days. Fabio Vieira might be a game changer. ESR, Odegaard, Martinelli, Jesus, Nketiah, Saka.. so many possibilities..

    At his price tag Martinelli might still be worth the gamble but I don't feel confident at all in that arsenal re-shuffle

    1. Thomas Jerome Newton
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Agreed.
      I'm keeping it safe/solid until the first WC when we'll know more.

  15. Wild Card-Igan and slippers
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 8 months ago

    For haaland think grealish’s first season or even Werner the last “amazing” striker from the bundesliga
    Nuff said lol
    Don’t say I didn’t warn you
    Kane ( why do we write him off every year (and I’m an arsenal fan)) or even Nunez at pool as their system is easier to fit into

    Of course I could end up looking an idiot if haaland scores hat tricks in his first 3 games or something

    1. Leonard hatred
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      So here's either going to be really good, or he's not going to be really good.

      This is the sort of quality analysis I come to FPL's sixth best fan-site for.

  16. Gazwaz80
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Hi, where can I find my team ID on my phone or do I need to go on to my laptop?
    Also, who has the lowest team ID or has this question already been asked 🙂 cheers…

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Login to FPL (phone is fine), go to gameweek history and read web address: ....entry/12345

      Lowest? That would be entry number 1

      1. Gazwaz80
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Thank you very much…

  17. Dale Sartip-Zadeh
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Been some interesting transfers

  18. Damien Sartip-Zadeh
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Phillips will do well