How did Premier League clubs fare in the transfer window?

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The Premier League's transfer window closed on Thursday, meaning the top title contenders have now completed their squad building - until the next transfer window opens in January.

It was the earliest transfer deadline in Premier League history, the league will be start from this weekend.

Liverpool: 160 million pound

Determined to build on a fine season that saw his team finish as Champions League runners-up and take fourth place in the Premier League, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp embarked on a 160 million pound spending spree.

Alisson was Brazil’s goalkeeper at the World Cup and now replaces Loris Karius as No. 1 at Anfield. /VCG Photo

Klopp landed Roma goalkeeper Alisson Becker for 66 million pounds and paid 52 million pounds for RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita. Not content with those eye-catching deals, Klopp added midfielder Fabinho from Monaco for 39 million pounds and landed Stoke playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri in an 18 million pound move.

Having knocked City out of the Champions League last season, while also beating them in domestic action, Liverpool are expected to mount a strong challenge for the title as they look to end their 29-year wait to be crowned kings of English football.

Chelsea: Kepa made a world record

Hired to replace the sacked Antonio Conte, Blues manager Maurizio Sarri insists he is happy to leave the wheeling and dealing to Chelsea's hierarchy - a stark contrast to his predecessor's constant complaints about transfers.

Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga break a world record with its 72 million pound transfer fee. /VCG Photo

Jorginho was Chelsea's first close-season signing as the Italy midfielder followed Sarri from Napoli in a 57 million pound deal.

Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was allowed to join Real Madrid to be closer to his children, with Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic moving to Chelsea on a season-long loan as part of the deal.

The 31 million pound fee for Courtois was immediately reinvested in Spain international Kepa Arrizabalaga, who arrived from Athletic Bilbao for 72.1 million pound - a world record for a keeper. Crucially, Chelsea have so far staved off interest from Real and Barcelona in Eden Hazard and Willian.

Manchester United: Mourinho's challenge

Jose Mourinho made an early splash as he spent 52 million pound on Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazil midfielder Fred and a further 19 million pounds on Porto defender Diogo Dalot, but the Manchester United manager was still underwhelmed by his club's business.

Manchester United unveil their new signing, Brazil midfield Fred early on June. /VCG Photo

Mourinho spent much of United's pre-season tour of the United States grumbling about the lack of depth in his squad and reportedly feuding with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward over failed approaches for defenders Harry Maguire, Yerry Mina and Toby Alderweireld.

After finishing second last season,19 points behind City, United look no closer to bridging the gap to their hated rivals.

Manchester City: single 60 million pound transfer, breaking club history

After sweeping to the title with a record 100 points and more wins and goals than any previous team in the Premier League era, it was tough for Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola to improve his stylish side.

Riyad Mahrez (R) in action during the FA Community Shield match between Manchester City and Chelsea on August 5, 2018. /VCG Photo

Mahrez bolsters City's already impressive array of attacking talent and, while Guardiola missed out on Italy midfielder Jorginho, who instead joined Chelsea, the champions' combination of youthful swagger and world-class talent still makes them favorites to reign supreme again at the end of the season.

Arsenal: post-Wenger era

Heralding the start of a new era at Arsenal following Arsene Wenger's departure last season, Gunners manager Unai Emery has been given a host of new faces in a bid to end his club's decline.

Wenger's 22-year reign ended with a wretched sixth-place finish and a second successive season without Champions League action has had a profound effect on Arsenal's recruitment, with star names now hard to come by.

Arsenal unveil new signing Lucas Torreira at London Colney on July 10, 2018. /VCG Photo

Former Paris Saint-Germain boss Emery appears willing to let chief scout Sven Mislintat, director of football Raul Sanllehi and chief executive Ivan Gazidis call the transfer shots and that trio have made a series of cut-price deals for Matteo Guendouzi, Bernd Leno, Lucas Torreira, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Stephan Lichtsteiner.

Tottenham: brave decision

Mauricio Pochettino had challenged his club to be "brave and take risks" when asked what Tottenham needed to do to improve their squad following their third-place finish last season.

Fast forward three months and the north Londoners are under-fire from their fans after failing to make a single signing.

Pochettino is adamant Tottenham's lack of transfer activity isn't a problem because it was just as important to hold onto the club's key players.

Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen, Son Heung-min and Kieran Trippier have all signed new contracts since May. "I am not worried, I am not sad, I am so happy. To keep our best players was our objective and we have achieved that," Pochettino said.

Source(s): AFP