Premier League clubs splash the cash in the summer hoping to improve their squad ahead of the coming season.
At both ends of the table, managers seek to unearth a gem by pressing their club’s board into paying an extortionate fee or completing a bargain deal before anyone else does.
However, for one reason or another, not every signing lives up to expectations and soon enough they are labelled a flop.
talkSPORT.com takes a look at the players signed in the 2018 summer transfer window who have flattered to deceive.
Naby Keita (Liverpool)
Jurgen Klopp had to wait nine months to get Keita from RB Leipzig after Liverpool initially agreed to sign him back in September 2017. It’s safe to say, he has not been worth the wait.
Supporters anticipated what the Guinean midfielder would bring to their side, updated with the news that he was continuously impressing in the Bundesliga, but he has yet to have quite the same impact in the Premier League, where he is still to find the net.
Now behind James Milner, Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum, Keita could eventually prove his worth, but for now he has dissapointed and reports have even suggested Klopp could be willing to cash in on the 24-year-old after just one season.
Fred (Manchester United)
The fourth-most expensive transfer in Manchester United’s history, life at Old Trafford remains an uncertain one for the £52million Brazilian.
His season is probably best summed up in the recent draw with Liverpool. Despite injuries to Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard during the first half, Andreas Pereira was brought on instead, while Scott McTominay played in a defensive midfield role. Fred remained ignored.
Having been given a specific training programme by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Fred has finally broken into the team in recent weeks but, given the huge amount he cost, he still has plenty to prove.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Brighton)
In 17 appearances for the Seagulls in all competitions, the Iranian has failed to score, assist or have much of an impact, despite the initial expectancy following his £17m move from AZ Alkmaar.
Their record signing, the 25-year-old attacker netted 22 times last season in Holland, but a loss of form and injuries mean he has looked nowhere near replicating that kind of form.
Mohamed Elyounoussi (Southampton)
Saints fans will not look back to fondly on the Mark Hughes era, but the remnants of his time there can be found in the form of Elyounoussi.
On the back of netting 23 goals in 83 games in his last two seasons in Switzerland, he was signed to the South Coast club for £16m. In 18 appearances this season, the Norway international does not appear to be cut out for the top flight and has scored and assisted a grand total of zero.
Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City)
After finally sealing his long-awaited move to the Premier League champions from Leicester City for a club-record fee of £60million, the former PFA Player of the Year has not had quite the desired impact he would have hoped for in Pep Guardiola’s world-class side.
The manager himself has even been forced to apologise for not using the Algerian as often as he deserves. There has been the odd glimpse of class from Mahrez and he has struck 11 times, but this is far from the player who helped Leicester famously win the title.
Jorginho (Chelsea)
Chelsea’s struggles in recent months have been well documented. The away defeats to Arsenal, Bournemouth, the drubbing at Manchester City, player unrest, losing in the Carabao Cup final and an FA Cup final exit. While these poor showings are quite obviously a collective matter, many supporters have taken umbrage with Jorginho.
Arriving along with Maurizio Sarri in the summer, the Italian was the poster-boy for ‘Sarri-ball’ and while he looked a class above in the first 18 games, pulling the strings, life hasn’t been quite so rosy since.
The Premier League returned this weekend and five of the established top six sides ensured they got themselves off to winning starts. Manchester United navigated their way past Leicester, Chelsea
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