Five of the best players who stayed with their clubs this summer

This was officially the busiest summer the Premier League has ever seen, with £ being spent on x players during the transfer window. But amidst all the big-money buys, there are five players who stayed put, be it through their club’s choice or their own. 

Ladbrokes News takes a look at the deals which failed to materialise.

Romelu Lukaku

In the summer of reunions, it seemed a certainty at one stage that Everton striker Romelu Lukaku was set for a return to Chelsea, following a 2015-16 campaign which saw him net 18 league goals – a career best for the Belgian international.

But with Everton slapping a £75m price tag on their main man up front, even moneybags Chelsea found themselves reconsidering the need for Lukaku at such a high cost.

It’s unknown whether the 23-year-old is happy with how things eventually panned out, but there’s no disputing the fact that Ronald Koeman’s men will be much stronger with him in the team.

Jose Fonte

The Euro 2016 winner was linked with a move to Old Trafford to team up with compatriot Jose Mourinho for much of the summer, following Man United’s apparent need for an experienced centre-back to provide stiff competition for places.

But while many expected a move to be made for the 32-year-old Portuguese international, Jose Fonte instead opted to stay with the south coast outfit where he’s spent the last seven years of his career – much to the delight of Saints fans.

Saido Berahino

The question already on everyone’s lips is where will Saido Berahino go in January? This saga has stretched on for over 18 months now, with West Brom clearly unwilling to settle for anything less than £25m for the 23-year-old.

A move to Crystal Palace looked on the cards until Alan Pardew signed Christian Benteke and Loic Remy, then the Baggies striker looked set to join Stoke City until Potters’ boss Mark Hughes brought in Wilfried Bony.

And now the English striker looks set to warm the Albion bench for another five months before the window opens again.

Juan Mata

When Jose Mourinho arrived at Old Trafford, nobody in football expected him to keep hold of Spanish midfielder Juan Mata – as the Portuguese boss was the one who sold him to Man United in the first place.

A number of clubs were interested in the 28-year-old’s services, most notably Valencia and Everton, but instead he stayed put, and has so far played a key role in Mourinho’s first three games as boss, starting all of them and chipping in with a goal on the opening day.

It looks like Mata is playing with a point to prove, which can only be a good thing for United fans and Mourinho alike.

Hector Bellerin

It’s safe to say Pep Guardiola’s revolution at Manchester City is well and truly underway, after the Spanish boss spent a staggering £181m on improving his squad, while getting rid of several big names such as Joe Hart, Edin Dzeko, Samir Nasri, Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis.

But the two-time Champions League winning boss didn’t have it all his own way this summer.

Clearly feeling the need to strengthen his back four, Guardiola enquired about the services of Arsenal star Hector Bellerin, who he will have seen a lot of during his time at Barcelona.

But Gunners boss Arsene Wenger quickly slammed the door in Pep’s face, and the speedy full-back doesn’t seem to have suffered from distraction.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.