5 winners from transfer deadline day

By James Dudko | Sep 1, 2016

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 31: New Leicester City signing Islam Slimani poses for pictures in Paris before re-joining his international team mates after passing a medical and joining Leicester City from Sporting Lisbon for a club record fee on August 31, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images) /

1 of 5

Jack Wilshere, Bournemouth and Arsenal were among the biggest winners from deadline day of the Premier League‘s summer transfer window.

Wilshere joined Bournemouth on a season-long loan, an excellent deal for both club and player. Arsenal may have let a playmaker go, but manager Arsene Wenger has smartly trimmed a squad already reinforced by shrewd business before the final day.

Speaking of good business, champions Leicester scored points for splashing a club-record fee on a new striker. Islam Slimani has the aerial power and link-up skills to superbly complement the pace of Jamie Vardy.

Read on to find out who else qualified as winners as the summer window slammed shut, including why Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur can feel happy.

MUNICH, GERMANY – JULY 20: Wilfried Bony of Manchester City in action during the pre season friendly match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Manchester City F.C. at Allianz Arena on July 20, 2016 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Lennart Preiss/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

5. Stoke City

Stoke completed three loan deals on deadline day, but the swoop for Wilfried Bony stood out. The Potters needed a focal point in attack and Manchester City striker Bony can provide it.

He flopped at City, but Bony has the qualities Stoke need to lift them off the foot of the table. Specifically, he’s a menace in the air, boasts deceptive pace and is a crafty link player.

All of those traits can work well with the platoon of attack-minded playmakers manager Mark Hughes has stockpiled.

Wingers Xherdan Shaqiri and Bojan should have no trouble supplying Bony with the crosses he needs to torment defenses. By the same token, forward Marko Arnautovic should be able to play off Bony’s knock-downs and get himself on the scoresheet more often.

Finally, midfield schemer Joe Allen will become more influential now he has an obvious target for his vision and creative instincts.

Cynics will point out Bony’s struggles at City, but a perennial title-contender was perhaps one level too high for the Ivory Coast man. Remember, Bony thrived during his time at Swansea City, bagging 16 league goals in 2013-14, per WhoScored.com.

Stoke won’t win the title anytime soon, but the club should be much higher up the table than it is now. The squad has the talent to compete for a UEFA Europa League place, potential that may be reached now Hughes finally has his striker.

As an ideal match for both club and player, this was one of the best deals of deadline day.

Next: 4. Tottenham Hotspur

Home/Premier League