Transfer round-up: Depay, Firmino, Sterling and more

So the transfer window is open, and some big deals have already taken place. I look at some of the ones that have gone through as well as the rumoured deals, and evaluate the impact that they could have.

Where better to start than the most recent transfer? Roberto Firmino will be joining Liverpool from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim subject to a medical. The Brazilian international is an attacking midfielder and is currently on international duty with his country at the Copa America.

Firmino in action for Brazil.

I believe that he is an exceptional player who is capable of winning games by himself, a bit like Phillipe Coutinho. Those two playing in tandem will be something to behold next season. 

He was also linked with Manchester United, and he racked up 10 assists in the Bundesliga last season. He currently has 4 goals from 9 appearances for Brazil, and struck 35 times for Hoffenheim during his time there. And for a reported £29 million, he could yet still prove to be a bargain.

Sticking with Liverpool, they have also signed James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan and Joe Gomez from Manchester City, Burnley, Bolton and Charlton respectively. Manchester City were foolish to let Milner go in my view, especially considering the home-grown quota they now have to fulfil. But City's loss is Liverpool's gain, and Milner's experience and versatility could be missed at the Etihad next season.

Danny Ings is a good striker, but he isn't going to get in to the side ahead of a fully fit Daniel Sturridge. Not a bad player to bring off the bench though. Adam Bogdan has obviously been signed as back up, and Joe Gomez to be developed, both decent signings.

Moving on to Memphis Depay, Manchester United's new signing. Also a very good signing; top scorer in the Eredivisie last season with 22 goals, which isn't bad for a winger. He also added 6 more goals in Europe last year, bringing his total to 28 in all competitions. He's a great acquisition, and someone that Louis van Gaal knows very well, which can only benefit the team. He'll be joining an already formidable attack, and, like Roberto Firmino, should take to the league like a duck to water.

New Manchester United signing Memphis Depay.

As for the champions. Chelsea, their only foray into the transfer market was to sign young Brazilian Nathan from Atletico Paranaense, clearly for the future. They have been linked with Falcao, which should go through. as well as a move for Raheem Sterling, so we'll wait and see what happens with that, as I'm sure that will rumble on for the whole summer. They have sold Gael Kakuta to Sevilla, and loaned Christian Atsu to Bournemouth for the upcoming season, and we can expect more outgoings at Stamford Bridge.

One of whom is likely to be Petr Cech. The goalkeeper is on the verge of a move to Arsenal, with the two clubs reportedly agreeing a £10.9m fee for the Czech Republic international. Cech will become Arsenal's first signing of the summer, but will he be their last?

Sterling: Manchester bound?

Manchester City are yet to sign anyone, but have put a couple of bids in for Raheem Sterling, both of which have been rejected. It is not clear if they will come in with a third bid, with Liverpool holding out for £50 million. He is definitely a player that will improve Manchester City's chances of winning the title back, but isn't what they need. They need Paul Pogba in my view. If an English club sign him, then I think they'll have the upper hand in the title race. 

As for the rest of the league, Tottenham have been relatively active so far, strengthening their defence with the signings of Kevin Wimmer and Keiran Trippier from Koln and Burnley respectively. Everton have secured Tom Cleverley on a free, Aston Villa have signed Scott Sinclair on a permanent basis, as well as Micah Richards, and Southampton have signed Cedric from Sporting and Maarten Stekelenburg on loan from Fulham.

The newcomers have been active too, with Bournemouth signing Artur Boruc, Adam Federici, Christian Atsu (on loan) and Josh King for their first season in the Premier League. Watford have brought in Sebastian Prodl and Giedrius Arlauskis, and are likely to bring in Diego Perotti for a club record fee of £7m too, whilst Norwich have signed Graham Dorrans permanently after his loan spell last year, and secured his former West Brom team mate Youssouf Mulumbu too.

West Brom themselves have signed James McClean from Wigan, West Ham have got Pedro Obiang and Darren Randolph in, Stoke have signed Phillip Wollscheid permanently and taken in Danish goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard too. Crystal Palace, Leicester, Newcastle and Sunderland are yet to bring anyone in.

And the final team, Swansea, who, for me, have made the greatest signing so far by bringing in Andre Ayew on a free from Marseille. They have also signed Franck Tabanou and Kristoffer Nordfeldt too.

Roll on August!