Top 10 Premier League transfer bargains (part 1)

Which signings have turned out as Premier League transfer bargains?

Here we countdown the top 10 bargain transfers in the Premier League.

10. Fabricio Coloccini

Deportivo La Coruña – Newcastle United; £10 Million

When Newcastle snapped up the Argentinian centre-back in 2008, he was virtually unknown. It seemed a bit of a risk to splash out £10 Million on a defender yet to learn the secrets of the English game. In fact, the move proved to be one of the best Premier League Transfer Bargains that the Magpies ever completed.

Coloccini established himself as one of the league’s top defenders, as well as delivering some phenomenal performances full of passion, commitment and desire. Coloccini is now one of the more experienced members of Alan Pardew’s squad and he now leads the team as captain, he has rapidly improved since signing in 2008 and I am a great admirer of the 30-year-old.

9. Thierry Henry

Juventus – Arsenal; £11 Million

When he arrived at Arsenal in 1999, not many people had heard of the Frenchman. But he’d already played under manager Arsene Wenger at Monaco and the Gunners’ tactician had seen something special in Henry.

£11 Million was quite a hefty fee for a player still only 21 and there were some who doubted Henry could adapt to the physical English game. Boy, were they wrong!

Thierry Henry went on to become one of the most successful players ever to grace the hallowed turf of Highbury, Arsene Wenger converted Henry into a striker rather than a winger, and it transformed Henry into a world-class player. He racked up an unbelievable 174 goals for Arsenal and rightly earned his status as a club legend.

Henry played a integral part of the club’s ‘Invincibles’ period when Arsenal went 49 games unbeaten in 2002/03 season, scooping the Premier League title and FA Cup. He regularly tore teams apart with his sensational control, blistering pace and thunderbolt of a shot, oozing class and scoring a bunch of goals throughout every season.

The Gunners then made a huge profit on the French star, selling him to Barcelona in 2007 for £24 million. Henry made a short comeback last season on loan but now plays for New York Red Bulls. One of the greatest players ever to play in the Premier League and a true Arsenal great.

8. Peter Schmeichel

Brondby – Manchester United; £505,000

No-one had heard of the Danish stopper when Sir Alex Ferguson snapped him up in 1991, yet Schmeichel went on to become one of the world’s greatest keepers.

He was absolutely outstanding for the Red Devils making memorable saves and putting in hugely brave displays. Schmeichel became the spine of a glorious United side in the 90′s, and, despite all the brilliant football that was being played further up the pitch, it was Schmeichel who won Fergie his titles.

At £505,000 it was an absolutely steal of a deal, Schmeichel went on to achieve some great things in the game, at United and with other teams. Sir Alex Ferguson hailed the signing of Schmeichel as ‘the bargain of the century’ and he really does have a point.

Would you like to contribute to the MatchDayApp Blog? If so, please take a look at our guest blogger guidelines and get in touch.