10 under-the-radar summer transfers you might have missed

1. Alex Song (Barcelona to Rubin Kazan, Free)

Remember when Alex Song was lighting up the Premier League with his lofted through-balls to Arsenal team-mate Robin van Persie? Fast forward four years and he’s now plying his trade in Russia, with Rubin Kazan picking him up for nothing last month.

The Cameroonian moved to Barcelona in 2012 but was nothing more than a backup player for the Catalans, with Spanish fans even voting him the worst La Liga signing that year (alongside Luka Modric, so perhaps they're not the best judges). A two-year loan spell at West Ham was a little more productive but still not enough for him to land a permanent deal, paving the way for this summer's switch to Russia. 

2. Ever Banega (Sevilla to Inter)

After his injury-ravished time at Valencia, the Argentinian playmaker enjoyed an excellent two years at Sevilla, where he won the Europa League twice and became one of the best players outside of Spain's big three.

With Champions League football secured at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, it was a little surprising that Banega departed to join Inter a few weeks after last season's conclusion. The 28-year-old spoke of his desire for a new challenge as he tries to help the Nerazzurri challenge for trophies again.

3. Gianluca Lapadula (Pescara to AC Milan)

With new owners at the helm Milan are embarking on a new era, with Lapadula set to spearhead the Rossoneri in the coming campaign. The Italian striker struck 30 goals in 44 Serie B appearances for Pescara last season and will be looking to make the step up to the top flight under the guidance of new Milan boss Vincenzo Montella.

With Mario Balotelli returning to Liverpool and Carlos Bacca and Luiz Adriano continuing to be linked with moves away, Lapadula could become a highly important figure in his first year at San Siro.

4. Lewis Cook (Leeds to Bournemouth)

Bournemouth have pulled off something of a coup with the acquisition of Lewis Cook, a highly-rated teenage midfielder who joined Eddie Howe's side for an initial £6 million. One of English football's brightest young prospects, former Leeds man Cook was named Football League Young Player of the Year in April and could go on to establish himself as a Premier League-class performer this term.

5. Antonio Barragan (Valencia to Middlesbrough)

Former Real Madrid assistant Aitor Karanka led Middlesbrough to the top flight last term, and his Spanish revolution has continued with the high-profile summer captures of Victor Valdes and Alvaro Negredo.

The duo's compatriot Barragan could prove to be the best signing of the lot, however. The former Valencia full-back moved to the Riverside for just £3 million and will be looking to establish himself in English football after an unsuccessful one-year stint at Liverpool as a teenager. With more experience under his belt, the 29-year-old will help to further solidify an already-resolute Boro backline.

6. Havard Nordtveit (Gladbach to West Ham, Free)

Nordtveit had a frustrating time at Arsenal between 2007 and 2010, when he was captain of the reserve side but did not make a single senior appearance. A fruitful five-year spell with Borussia Monchengladbach followed, though, with West Ham bringing him back to the Premier League on a free transfer this summer.

A defensive midfielder by trade, Nordtveit can also operate in the back four and, at 6ft 2in, should further beef up the spine of Slaven Bilic's side.

7. Oleksandr Zinchenko (Ufa to Manchester City)

The Pep Guardiola era has well and truly begun in the blue half of Manchester, with big money spent on John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus.

As a result of those acquisitions, the signing of Zinchenko hasn't garnered much attention; in value-for-money terms, though, it could prove to be the most astute of the lot. The 19-year-old Ukrainian forward, who came through Shakhtar Donetsk's academy, is an extremely gifted player who will relish working under Guardiola in the months and years to come.  

8. Josuha Guilavogui (Atletico Madrid to Wolfsburg)

Guilavogui's £10 million move to Atletico Madrid in 2013 didn't really work out, the Frenchman making only one appearance for Diego Simeone's side as he struggled to break into a talented midfield.

He was loaned back to former club Saint-Etienne just four months after moving to the Spanish capital, before a two-year loan spell with Wolfsburg was made permanent in May. He's currently sidelined with a fractured neck but should be a key player for the German outfit upon his return to action next year.

9. Breel Embolo (FC Basel to Schalke)

In the last two years 19-year-old Embolo has become one of football's hottest young commodities after scoring 20 goals in 47 league appearances for Basel in his first two full seasons at the club, with Manchester United among those linked with his signature.

Instead, the Switzerland international has ended up in the Bundesliga, with Schalke buying him for a reported fee of €20 million. It's a clear step up for Embolo, who'll be looking to accelerate his development in one of Europe's major leagues.

10. Nicolas Nkoulou (Marseille to Lyon, Free)

Nkoulou was a small part of a large exodus from Marseille this summer, but unlike others he's risked the wrath of OM supporters by joining rivals Lyon on a free transfer.

The Cameroonian endured a difficult year in 2015/16 but is still a highly-rated defender who will be looking to get back to his best with Les Gones. Replacing Barcelona new boy Samuel Umtiti won't be an easy task, however.

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