The real deal? Five signings who could light up the Premier League

Another Premier League season is just over a week away with an earlier than usual start of August 5 due to the World Cup taking place in December.

It means a jam-packed schedule, certainly for the first few months, and clubs have reacted by splashing the cash in order to bolster their squads.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at five of the best signings made this summer.

One of the worst kept secrets in football was finally made official in June when Erling Haaland followed in the footsteps of his dad Alfie by joining Manchester City. An agreement had been struck a month earlier with Borussia Dortmund after his £51.1million release clause was triggered. Considering some of the figures quoted for Harry Kane last summer, Pep Guardiola’s side look to have secured a steal with the Norway international scoring 86 goals in 89 games during his spell in Germany. It may take the 22-year-old time to settle, but he looks the natural heir to Sergio Aguero’s throne.

Given the focus on Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation at Old Trafford, the free transfer of Christian Eriksen to Manchester United also went under the radar but represents fine work by a club more commonly associated with wasting money. After the initial hesitation over Eriksen being back playing within a year of his cardiac arrest, the Danish playmaker reminded England of his quality in his short stay with Brentford and could prove a crucial ally for Erik Ten Haag as he attempts to turn around the Red Devils’ fortunes. With Eriksen happy to press from the front after his time at Spurs and Inter Milan, he should fit seamlessly into a new but exciting style of football under his fellow Dutchman.

The decision by Man City to allow Raheem Sterling to sign for a rival raised