Transfer Grades: Premier League new boys

The transfer window has been flung open by Monaco and this summer could be spectacular for player movement given the number of high profile clubs that have changed manager or who are coming off perceived down seasons. Over this summer, I will be explaining and analysing the major moves around and giving each one of them a grade.

Simon Mignolet – Sunderland to Liverpool (£11m)

What’s the deal? Mignolet was outstanding for Sunderland last season and caught the attention of major clubs around Europe.

Is the price right? £11m is a lot, not many keepers have ever been sold for so much. However, he is just 24 so they could be investing in him for 10 years if all goes to plan. Sometimes you have to pay to get the best.

Why sign him? Liverpool are preparing to try and win the Premier League in a couple of years time. By the time their young outfield core mature, Reina would be 33 and a bosman. Liverpool evidently feel Mignolet can be the best in the world and didn’t want to miss out on him.

Why sell him? Sunderland’s new management seem to be trying to purge the club of it’s current staff and need money to restock. Goalkeepers can be found inexpensively and yet be serviceable.

Will it work? Very rarely do big goalkeeper moves go wrong and this shouldn’t be one of them. He’s playing behind a better defence and should only grow in confidence.

Grade: A- He’ll be an excellent keeper for a long time. I guess the only thing stopping this being an A is that they already have Reina who could do a good job for a few more years, even despite the sound logic behind the move.