Raphael Varane
One of the finest defenders in Europe, Raphael Varane has made the move to Manchester United this summer after coming to the final year of his contract at Real Madrid.
The France international won it all in his time in Spain and is also a World Cup winner with his country, so his experience could be invaluable to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side as they finally try to get their hands on silverware.
Harry Maguire hasn’t always been at his best for Man Utd, but part of that is down to the lack of a top quality partner, but Varane can finally complement the England international at the back and give the Red Devils a much stronger back-line.
Jadon Sancho
As well as Ronaldo and Varane providing experience and winning know-how to Solskjaer’s squad, Jadon Sancho should also be an exciting injection of youth and quality up front.
The England international showed huge promise in his time at Borussia Dortmund, and looks like he can give United exactly what they need as an upgrade on inconsistent performers like Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
Sancho will also have the benefit of learning from Ronaldo, who is the ideal mentor to help the youngster become the club’s next great no.7.
Romelu Lukaku
Finally, Romelu Lukaku completes our list of this summer’s best signings, with the Belgian goal machine providing Chelsea with a major upgrade on the under-performing Timo Werner up front.
Lukaku was immense in his two seasons with Inter Milan and has made a strong start to life at Stamford Bridge, helping give Thomas Tuchel a squad looking more capable of competing for the title than the one that only just scraped into the top four last term.
It’s also just generally good to see Lukaku back in the Premier League and looking back to his best after we never really saw the best of him at Manchester United.
Honourable mentions:
Saul Niguez – perhaps not the player he once was, but a smart loan signing for Chelsea to give them more options in midfield.
Antoine Griezmann – he flopped at Barcelona, but he’s now back at Atletico Madrid and could get back to his best at the club where he enjoyed the best form of his career.
Jack Grealish – an elite talent who looks a dream fit for Manchester City’s style of play, even if they arguably needed a 30-goal-a-season striker more.
Ibrahima Konate – still young and raw, plus a little injury-prone, but Ibrahima Konate should prove an important signing to give Liverpool more options in defence after their issues there last term.
David Alaba – a fine signing on a free for Real Madrid, but the Austria international has big boots to fill after both Ramos and Varane left.