Five of the most exciting non-Big Six Premier League transfers

The Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ usually dominate the news and transfer spending but there’s been plenty of exciting recruitment done elsewhere this summer.

From towering target-men to commanding centre-backs, we’ve looked at five of the most exciting signings made by non-Big Six sides this summer.

From towering target-men to commanding centre-backs, we’ve looked at five of the most exciting signings made by non-Big Six sides this summer.

Amadou Onana – Aston Villa

Aston Villa will consider the signing of Amadou Onana a real coup with the midfielder touted with a move to some of Europe’s elite before joining Unai Emery’s team this summer.

Douglas Luiz’s exit for Juventus left a void to be filled and Villa are confident the big Belgian is the right replacement for the influential midfielder.

Onana has impressed across two seasons with Everton where the Belgium international’s athleticism, drive and comfort in possession have been clear. Inconsistencies remain, but at 22 there is belief that Onana has only scratched the surface of his potential.

In a team on the rise and with the Champions League stage to test himself upon in 2024-25, this appears to be an important season for Onana, whose arrival is the second-highest transfer fee in Aston Villa history.

Yankuba Minteh – Brighton

Newcastle’s need to sell this summer saw Yankuba Minteh leave St James’ Park with Brighton capitalising on the PSR merry-go-round to snap up the winger.

Signed just last summer from Odense, Newcastle have banked a big profit on the Gambian but it is Brighton who could be the real winners. Minteh spent last season on loan at Feyenoord and in just 17 league starts scored 10 Eredivisie goals and laid on five assists.

The 20-year-old remains raw but has all the ingredients to become the latest wide player to shine on the south coast. With lightning pace and end product, he hopes to follow the example of Karou Mitoma and Simon Adingra in rising from relative obscurity to key status for the Seagulls.

Emile Smith Rowe – Fulham

Emile Smith Rowe has been handed a fresh start at Fulham as the midfielder looks to bounce back from a frustrating period. After bursting onto the scene with an outstanding 2021-22 season, Smith Rowe’s career stalled due to injury and he was unable to re-establish himself in an Arsenal shirt.

However, the 24-year-old is a big talent and will hope the move across the capital can be the launch pad to better fortunes. Capped three times for England, Smith Rowe has ambitions of breaking back into the national team. With a new challenge at club level and the imminent appointment of Gareth Southgate’s successor with the Three Lions, this is shaping an important season for the ‘Croydon De Bruyne’.

Fulham appears a fine fit for Smith Rowe with Marco Silva set to hand the midfielder the freedom to find his fluid best.

Nikola Milenkovic – Nottingham Forest

Nikola Milenkovic is one of those names that has been linked with the Premier League for as long as we can remember. The Serbian centre-back has finally moved to English football with Nottingham Forest securing his signature in a coup.

The 6ft 5in defender ranked in the top 3% of central defenders in Europe’s top five leagues for aerial duels won last season and a potential partnership with Murillo offers encouragement. Forest had one of the best Expected Goals Against figures in the Premier League last season despite their lowly finish and the arrival of Milenkovic could help combat the individual errors that undermined their solid shape.

Still just 26 and having reached three cup finals across the last two seasons at Fiorentina, the £12m fee looks real value.

Niclas Fullkrug – West Ham

Mind the gap was how West Ham introduced new signing Niclas Fullkrug on social media and Premier League defences should be concerned.

The Germany international has signed from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of €27m, with the 31-year-old’s old-school centre-forward play and gap-toothed grin having made him a cult figure.

Fullkrug has emerged as one of football’s great late bloomers, making his Germany debut at the age of 29 and since scoring 13 goals in 21 appearances, including two at Euro 2024.

He has scored 35 goals across the last two Bundesliga campaigns and was the division’s joint-leading scorer in 2022-23.

A physical handful with aerial presence and fine finishing off either foot, he looks like the perfect focal point for Julen Lopetegui’s new-look side. With pace and creativity around him at the London Stadium, Fullkrug could thrive.

Read – Five of last summer’s signings who must improve in 2024/25

See more – Fantasy Premier League: The five best forwards for your FPL team in 2024/25

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