Good Buys?

[GranadaJoe]

We've had the Biggest Transfer Flops of the Season thread (Lamela, Jovetic, Soldado, Fellaini, Osvaldo, van Wolfswinkel, Hooper, Downing, Aspas, Luis Alberto, van Ginkel, Schurrle, Eto, Cornelius, most of the players signed by Palace and Sunderland etc etc).

So clearly, it's not too difficult to spend sheds loads of money on heaps of shit. However, I was looking for some balance and wondering who have been the really good bits of business, and I'm struggling to think of many.

Although he wasn't cheap I think Negredo has been excellent value for money and has performed above most people's expectations. Flamini is good business (free and no stories of silly wages). Remy has done well. After that I struggling to think of anybody. Who have I forgot?

Despite extensive and thorough scouting networks and scientific assessment methods it still looks like flipping a coin or trawling the Football Manager2014 database would produce better results.

I genuinely don't understand how clubs make so many bad purchases year after year.

[SteveO 35]

I bought a Christmas pudding from Aldi which was a surprisingly good buy at £4

[augie]

I would have classed fer (Norwich), hooper (Norwich), barry & lukaku (if we including loan signings) and paulinho (scum fc) as good signings. Bony (Swansea) is a borderline judgement for me at the mo - on one hand he looks like an explosive finisher but at the same time he can look lazy and his hold up play can be poor

[northbank123]

Think Caulker is a good signing at Cardiff (although despite his good individual performances they've still been poor at the back generally most times I've seen them) - he'll piss off in a year or two but they'll make a tidy profit on what they paid for him whatever happens.

Huddlestone seems to be doing okay at Hull although £5m can hardly be described as a snip.

Obviously not a new signing but Berahino coming through the ranks this season at West Brom has been very impressive.

[GranadaJoe]

For me, if you spend 6, 8, 12 million on a player and he performs to expectations then that is a decent (but not great) piece of business (a la Caulker, McCarthy, Bony, Capoue). However, they still seem outnumbered by the crap buys.

When was the last time we picked up a bargain?

[DB10GOONER]

How many Thomas Hitzlsperger threads do we need?!

[kiwomya]

For me, if you spend 6, 8, 12 million on a player and he performs to expectations then that is a decent (but not great) piece of business (a la Caulker, McCarthy, Bony, Capoue). However, they still seem outnumbered by the crap buys.

When was the last time we picked up a bargain?

Koscielny - approx. 8.5M

[I Hate Hleb]

A lot of people on here think Wenger should be a good bye!!

[rodders999]

A lot of people on here think Wenger should be a good bye!!

+1

[gp543]

Wanyama for Southampton. Look how much they've missed him since he's been out.

[LDB]

Ozil

[Red Gunner]

Sanogo...

"Sanogo has not made headlines," Wenger added. "Why? Because he is not £50m-£100m but I am quite confident he will make them soon on the pitch and that, for me, is the most important. The quality of the player is not only linked to the amount of money it costs. Sanogo will surprise you. He is a top-class striker."

http://www.theguardian.com/football/201 ... ene-wenger

A top-class striker for free

[QuartzGooner]

Off top of my head -

Arsenal: Flamini (Free) + Ozil

Man City: Fernandinho + Negredo

Everton: Lukaku (loan) + Deulofeu (loan)

Spurs: Paulinho

Newcastle: Remy (loan)

Does feel as if there are more high profile flops than successes though.

[TeeCee]

Debuchy has been very good for the Geordies, did he join this season?

[Simon]

Ozil

In the mad mad world of football finances he seems a bit of a bargain when you compare his cost to how much Sp*rs paid for Lamela.