Isak to lead parade of new signings as EPL resumes after 2-week break

The English Premier League (EPL) returns this weekend after a two-week pause with clubs eager to show off their new transfer window purchases, none more so than champions Liverpool for whom Alexander Isak could make his debut at Burnley on Sunday.

An astonishing 3 billion pounds ($4.05 billion) was spent by the 20 clubs in England’s top-flight, a fair chunk of it in the last few days of trading as clubs beefed up their squads for the months ahead.

Isak’s acrimonious split from Newcastle United was finally resolved in the nick of time, with Liverpool paying a British record 125 million pounds for the Swedish goal-machine.

The 25-year-old did not play a single minute for Newcastle this season as he was effectively frozen out and while he did come off the bench for a brief cameo for Sweden against Kosovo on Monday, it is unlikely he will start at Burnley.

However, manager Arne Slot will be keen to give him some minutes at Turf Moor where Liverpool will be seeking to maintain their 100% start to the defence of their crown with a fourth win.

Isak may have been the highest-profile summer deal but several other clubs resume their Premier League campaigns eager to try out some expensive new toys.

Arsenal are likely to hand a first start to Eberechi Eze at home to Nottingham Forest, a club who not only added Oleksandr Zinchenko, Dilane Bakwa, and Cuiabano on deadline day but since replaced manager Nunu Espirito Santo with Ange Postecoglou.

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Postecoglou can expect a baptism of fire on his return to north London, especially with Arsenal still smarting from their loss at Liverpool.

After two successive defeats, Manchester City host Manchester United on Sunday in the weekend’s big derby with manager Pep Guardiola’s side trailing their neighbours in the standings. All eyes will be on who Guardiola puts in goal after the last-minute signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

United, who have four points after a last-gasp win against Burnley, will almost certainly also have a debutant in goal after the arrival of Senne Lammens on deadline day.

Aston Villa have endured a poor start with one point and no goals from their first three games so expect to see their deadline day signings feature away to Everton on Saturday.

Jadon Sancho, on loan from Manchester United, will give Villa some much-needed attacking spark while Harvey Elliott, surplus to requirements at Liverpool, could also start.

Everton, for whom loan signing Jack Grealish has been in scintillating form so far, will be buoyant after spending 97 million pounds in initial transfer fees during the summer and could give a debut to new midfielder Merlin Rohl.

Tottenham Hotspur travel to West Ham United on Saturday as they begin a new era following the shock exit of executive chairman Daniel Levy after 25 years in charge of the club.

His parting gift may have been the signing of Randal Kolo Muani on loan from Paris St Germain on deadline day and he could make his debut at the London Stadium.

Newcastle fans may lament the bitter loss of Isak, but softening that blow was the signing of Yoane Wissa from Brentford for a reported 55 million pounds.

Wissa will have the opportunity to instantly endear himself with the St James’ Park faithful at home to bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Brentford, who also lost forward Bryan Mbeumo in the summer to Manchester United, signed Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson to bolster their attack and he could feature at home to Chelsea in Saturday’s late evening offering.

One deadline-day deal that failed to complete was Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi’s expected sale to Liverpool.

Palace fans will be relieved to see the inspirational central defender, who scored his first England goal on Tuesday, back in red and blue at home to Sunderland on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski has rejoined West Ham United on a one-year contract after the 40-year-old left the London side as a free agent in the close season, the Premier League club said on Wednesday. Fabianski, who made 216 appearances in a seven-year spell with West Ham, was one of many senior players who were released by the club when their contracts expired at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

Reuters