Ten of the best value-for-money signings so far in this transfer window

With so many big-name players out of contract, this has been a summer packed with heavyweight free transfers. Juventus have played their part, bringing Paul Pogba back and also recruiting Ángel Di María to sprinkle stardust on an underachieving squad. Dybala, meanwhile, saw his time at Juve end in acrimonious fashion. Having been linked with Inter and several Premier League clubs, the forward has instead signed for Roma. He has accepted a reduced salary boosted by bonuses and has ingratiated himself with fans by declining to wear Francesco Totti’s old No 10 shirt. After a promising first season under José Mourinho, Roma are taking a gamble on the Argentinian, 28, firing them back into Italy’s elite. Next summer, they will have to renegotiate his contract or face losing him through a €20m release clause. This is not a risk-free move for either party but a player who struggled with playing second fiddle at Juve has the potential to shine as the main attraction in Rome.

Southampton have stayed afloat in the Premier League thanks to a transfer policy that targets promising players at affordable prices. This summer, they have already spent £40m on four emerging talents under the age of 21. Roméo Lavia and Gavin Bazunu (both signed from Manchester City) and Bordeaux forward Sékou Mara all have big potential, but it is Bella-Kotchap who stands out. After developing in Germany’s lower leagues, the centre-back made his breakthrough in Bochum’s promotion-winning season. Ralph Hasenhüttl’s pressing system relies on an aggressive defence and Bella-Kotchap, 20, should fit in perfectly. In the Bundesliga last season, he was among the top performers in terms of interceptions and winning aerial duels. Southampton conceded 67 league