A team of fresh faces who represent excellent value for money

Although the transfer window isn’t locked shut until the end of the month, the brand new Premier League season is but a few hours away. With this in mind, Spoiler correspondent Ben Baker has considered the best buys of the summer so far, compiling a team of his favourites…

Joe Hart
(Manchester City to Birmingham, Season Long Loan)
A transfer that suits both parties. Joe wants to win more senior England caps, and since he has been edged out of the number one spot at Manchester City by a certain Mr. Given, first team opportunities have been lacking. His search for regular football has led him to the Midlands and Birmingham are surely delighted that this promising young English goalkeeper will be between the sticks for the season. Also, you just have to love him for his mental attitude and abrasive shouting when facing a penalty - he’s like a loopier version of Bruce Grobbelaar.

Glen Johnson
(Portsmouth to Liverpool, £17.5m)
Beating off Chelsea and Manchester City and getting one over his rivals would have made this deal extra sweet for the ever-irritated Rafa. Johnson had a superb season last year, both with club and country, epitomised by his man of the match performance against an (albeit woeful) Andorra side that saw him notch up four assists from full back, and will add a whole new dimension to Liverpool’s right side. A high price to pay, but as Rafa said, “Sometimes you have to spend a little bit more.”A sentiment that is particularly true for English players.

Yuri Zhirkov
(CSKA Moscow to Chelsea, £18m)
A Russian at Chelsea? How did that happen? This versatile

The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

Ashley Young not going to Tottenham
The Guardian say Martin O’Neill will definitely not sell his prized asset, particularly to a club “on a similar level”. He utterly refuses and will not be persuaded. Unless they stump up £30m, that is.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: As much as ‘Arry admires the left-sided forward, £30m is a little steep.

Barry Ferguson to Birmingham
Despite his infamous naughty drinking problems, Alex McLeish is keen to reacquaint himself with the former Scotland captain. The 31-year-old midfielder would cost around £1.5m.

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A cheerleader and a brain surgeon?
[SportsbyBrooks]

Stoke are 9/1 to beat league leaders Liverpool at home
[chickendinner]

Michael Carrick tries his hand at some Fergie mind games
[Football365]

A Detroit Lions fan finds a special way to celebrate a winless season.
[FanIQ]

Mark Hughes will buy before he sells
[The Guardian]

Charles N’Zogbia wants out of Newcastle…
[BBC]

…but Barry Ferguson could be about to fill his shoes
[Caught Offside]

Teddy Bears prepare to sell their captain and top scorer

One of the biggest surprises in transferland today is the announcement that Rangers will almost certainly sell Kris Boyd to Birmingham by the end of the week. The striker has scored a whopping twenty goals already this season, and has been the Gers top scorer for three seasons running. Understandably, his sale to a Championship side for just £3.5m has raised more than a few eyebrows in the Scottish capital [er, of football - Ed.].

Captain Barry Ferguson is also said to be on the move for a similar price, although Walter Smith this week denied a move from Newcastle Utd for the player.

Owner Sir David Murray has made no secret of his desire to trim down his squad, arguing that the club lost £10m in projected revenues when they dismally crashed out of the Champions League qualifiers.

During an emergency transfer strategy meeting, Smith and Murray reportedly agreed