Friday 30th August saw the English men’s football transfer window slam shut for the rest of the year, so what were the headlines from another frenetic period of fortune, panic buys and cash splashing? To celebrate one of the most entertaining periods of football, I have handed out my transfer window awards, ranging from categories such as ‘Most Exciting Transfer’, to the coveted ‘Slim Shady’ award. Premier League clubs spent just shy of two billion this summer – let’s see who came away the happiest.

Award – Best Transfer Window

Winner – West Ham United

The Hammers will enter their first season under Julen Lopetegui in a seriously good mood. Exciting signings flew through the London stadium gates this summer, from high-level overseas talent in Niclas Füllkrug and Carlos Soler (on a loan), to precocious wingers Luis Guilherme and Crysencio Summerville, coupled with a smattering of proven Premier League steel in Max Kilman and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The Declan Rice money from a year ago clearly came in handy, as West Ham made sure to attack this transfer window aggressively. Even the loss of Kurt Zouma was acceptable given the Hammer’s move for Nice’s French Defender, Jean-Clair Todibo. Of course, the loss of James Ward-Prowse and his dead-ball wizardry might pain some fans, but Lopetegui has been given the freedom to build the team that he desires. It’s certainly a lively time to be an East Londoner.

Award – Move Straight out of a Video Game Simulation

Winner – Jamal Lewis to São Paulo, on loan from Newcastle

São Paulo’s illustrious history is full of Brazilian icons, with players such as Cafu and Kaká turning out for the club. Yet, never in their history have they had a British player – well that is, until now. And hands up who suspected that that player might turn out to be Northern Ireland and Newcastle full-back Jamal Lewis! The defender must have been as baffled as I was when he found out the news, mostly flattered but also double-checking that this wasn’t some strange prank call. Lewis is unlikely to be missed at St James’ Park, but he will forever be the answer to an incredibly tricky football trivia question.

Award – Best Replacement

Winner – Amadou Onana for Douglas Luiz

“Onana’s aerial prowess and surprising goalscoring acumen has clearly helped to endear him to the Villa faithful”

Losing Luiz to Juventus was a blow at the time for Villa, who sadly had to part ways with the central midfielder in order to stay in line with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). The Brazilian international had supplied 17 goals and 16 assists over the last two seasons, but the immediate impact that new signing Amadou – “André is not even my name mate” – Onana has supplied, might already have done enough to banish any samba nostalgia from Villa Park. Whilst £50m is a major amount of cash to be throwing around, Onana’s aerial prowess and surprising goalscoring acumen has clearly helped to endear him to the Villa faithful, and whilst a very different type of player to Luiz, the Belgian should turn out to be a fantastic replacement as Aston Villa embark on their maiden campaign in the Champions League.

Award – Most exciting transfer

Winner – Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham

Since joining Arsenal’s youth setup aged ten, Emile Smith Rowe has gone on to be known as a highly touted youngster who has never fully broken through, whether due to injuries or the depth in a loaded Arsenal squad. Now, his opportunity arises. Already with one goal under his belt, if Smith Rowe can stay fit he could soon make a mockery of his £34m price tag. The Cottagers will already be pleased with how he has filled the creative gap behind Rodrigo Muniz, whilst even Arsenal fans may be rooting for one of their own to finally fulfil his vast potential.

Award – Strangest Move

Winner – Jadon Sancho’s loan to Chelsea

“Sancho… for now seems like another headache for Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca”

Chelsea, and more accurately owner Todd Boehly, felt the football world’s ridicule this summer, as they seemingly developed a mild addiction for transfers. Starting the season with an attack of Nkunku, Mudryk, Madueke, Palmer, Jackson, alongside the signings of Dewsbury-Hall, Félix, Neto and Guiu seemed almost farcical, and memes about the size of the Chelsea squad, particularly its attack, were rife on social media. So, in true Chelsea fashion, they believed that they did not have enough brilliantly inconsistent wingers, and brought in Jadon Sancho on deadline day. There is no doubt that Sancho has the potential to be a world-beater if he can put it all together. Yet for now, where does he fit? Sancho could have thrived at a team that would have given him a more consistent run-out - for now he seems like another headache for Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.

Award – The Slim Shady

Winner – Adam Lallana

Guess who’s back, back again? Ten years after swapping the South Coast for Merseyside, Adam Lallana returns to the newly-promoted Saints, the team that he himself helped to promote to the big time more than a decade ago. During his travels away from Southampton, Lallana has struggled with inconsistency, not starting more than 20 league games since the 2016-17 season. However, he will bring a wealth of experience and dressing room clout to the Saints, as they hope to settle back into the top flight.

Award – Worst Transfer Window

Winner – Newcastle

The times when giddy Newcastle fans could dream of players like Kylian Mbappe are already long gone. The acquisitions of William Osula from Sheffield United and Lloyd Kelly from Bournemouth are simply not up to standard for a team that needs to be competing for Europe, whilst missing out on Marc Guéhi after protracted negotiations only added insult to injury. Eddie Howe was understandably disappointed in his organisation’s lack of summer progress, but he is lucky enough to still maintain a strong starting XI for now.

Notable Mentions

Best Bodyguards: Crystal Palace

The Eagles somehow kept both Eze and Guéhi, players who will be essential for Glasner’s first full season at the helm.

The Move from an Alternate Universe : Raheem Sterling loan to Arsenal

It’s not outside the realm of possibility that Sterling finishes his career having donned the kit of every single ‘Big Six’ side.

Best Bargain: Liverpool signing Federico Chiesa

The winger brings bags of international experience and an eye for goal, so securing his services for just £10m is an almighty coup.

You Paid What?!: Nottingham Forest signing Elliot Anderson

Die-hard Newcastle fans did not want to lose their hometown boy, but £35m surely softens any sentimental blow for a player who hasn’t even started 15 games in the Premier League.

It’s currently the international break, so Premier League fans can stop for a breath, and take stock of their side’s start to the season. Many new signings have not yet been deemed ready to play, and so big money moves for players such as Manuel Ugarte, Mikel Merino and Crysencio Summerville are yet to receive either the judgement or adulation of their respective fans. One thing that is important to remember is that the transfer window’s significance is often blown out of proportion, and as we have seen with many recently promoted sides, revamping a team completely can often create more issues than there were previously. It will be fascinating to look back on this summer’s heavy spending in a year or so’s time, but this week, after the window has closed, and without yet the benefit of hindsight, marks an incredibly exciting time for almost every Premier League fan. (Sorry, Newcastle!)