The Hard Tackle lists deadline-day signings for you to consider in FPL, with the Saturday cut-off point fast approaching.
The dreaded international break is finally over, and the Premier League will return with Gameweek 5 of the 2023/24 season. This time, the round of fixtures begins on Saturday instead of Friday, which has been the case in the first four matchdays in FPL.
Our columns so far have focused on injury-based suggestions and budget and differential picks. But this week, we have brought you a different kind of column. With the summer transfer window now over, clubs have their final Premier League squads in place.
That has come after they scrambled to finalise their transfers on the final day. Many were unable to field their deadline-day signings in Gameweek 4 after they ran out of time to register them. But those players will be in contention to feature for their teams in the latest round of fixtures.
With that in mind, The Hard Tackle will list deadline-day signings that managers should consider for their teams. The good news is that most of these candidates are budget options and will not cost a bomb.
Nuno Tavares (£4.0m)
At (£4.0m) will the ultra-attacking Nuno Tavares find his way on your #FPL squad. #NNFC 🔴🌳 https://t.co/sQYo5U64sL
— Fantasy & Football ⚽️ (@HomeOfFPL) August 29, 2023
Many defenders joined Premier League clubs on Deadline Day in the summer transfer window. But none of them has the potential to explode in FPL like Nuno Tavares. In addition, a price of £4.0m makes him an attractive option for managers to consider.
The 2023/24 FPL season has already offered many options priced at £4.0m, with Malo Gusto being the popular pick. But the Chelsea full-back is a rotation risk and might not feature much if Reece James is fit and available.
Nuno Tavares also has a lot of competition for his position. But neither Neco Williams nor Ola Aina has nailed down the left-back berth at Nottingham Forest. So, Tavares, who arrived from Arsenal on Deadline Day, will be an attractive option to monitor if he can usurp the two defenders.
James McAtee (£4.4m)
"He'll be raring to go!" 💪
Sheffield Utd manager Paul Heckingbottom says it's great to have James McAtee back on loan from Man City 🤝 pic.twitter.com/BjnpJkYC4J
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 14, 2023
After discussing the best deadline-day defender signing, we move on to the midfielders. And there are several options for managers to consider heading into Gameweek 5. One such candidate is James McAtee, who rejoined Sheffield United on loan from Manchester City.
The 20-year-old is one of the brightest young prospects in the Manchester City setup. But he has not had enough opportunities to nail down a spot at the Etihad. So, it was in his best interests to secure a loan move before the summer transfer window shut down.
That finally came with the deadline-day move to Sheffield United, where he spent the 2022/23 campaign. Considering his impact at Bramall Lane last season — nine goals and three assists in less than 2,000 minutes of game in the Championship — he can be a game-changer in your teams, especially at just £4.4m.
Brennan Johnson (£5.9m)
Brennan Johnson's first day at Hotspur Way 🏃♂️ pic.twitter.com/RbuRiud2DL
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 13, 2023
The next name on our list is also one of the most eye-catching signings on Deadline Day in the Premier League. We are talking about Brennan Johnson, who moved to Tottenham Hotspur from Nottingham Forest in a big-money deal.
The North London club chased the Welsh international throughout the summer transfer window. But negotiations between Tottenham and Nottingham Forest did not progress as well as the former would have liked. He was also a target for Chelsea, who had an agreement to sign him before he chose Tottenham.
Meanwhile, amid the inconsistencies of Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison, Johnson can quickly become a regular for Tottenham if he hits the ground running. Johnson’s ability to play as a striker also makes him a potential first-choice option if Richarlison does not regain his form. So, at £5.9m, he is an attractive option for managers.
Callum Hudson-Odoi (£4.9m)
"Crazy last two months! This is a fresh beginning!" 😅
Callum Hudson-Odoi reflects on his move to Nottingham Forest 🔴 pic.twitter.com/0LHN0suB54
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 1, 2023
The third midfield pick was a throw-down between Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ansu Fati. It was anyone’s game for the spot, but we have gone ahead with the former Chelsea attacker, whose price is an appealing £4.9m.
The 22-year-old has gone from a potential long-term offensive solution for Chelsea to a peripheral figure at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea fans once clamoured for his inclusion as a regular starter for the first team. But his stock has plummeted since those heady days.
However, Steve Cooper has done well to resurrect a few careers at City Ground. And Hudson-Odoi might not be any different. In addition, at a cost-effective price of £4.9m, he can be a value-for-money addition to your teams as a fifth midfielder, much like Ansu Fati.
Divock Origi (£5.0m)
Divock Origi is back in the Premier League!
He has joined Nottingham Forest on loan ✍️ #BBCFootball #DeadlineDay pic.twitter.com/2W99IDas6b
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 1, 2023
We are ending our list with a striker, of which the options were few and far between. But we have picked Divock Origi, who has a point to prove after joining Nottingham Forest on loan from AC Milan on Deadline Day.
The Belgian international endured a disastrous 2022/23 campaign at San Siro. So, it was hardly surprising that AC Milan wanted to offload him in the summer transfer window. That move finally came shortly before the summer transfer window closed.
Origi will vie for the spot Brennan Johnson has vacated. And his familiarity in the Premier League can make him a dark horse in your teams if you are searching for a cheap forward. Origi has a price of just £5.0m, which should attract many managers, considering his penchant for scoring crucial goals.
