The transfer machine keeps on rolling. We'll share our analysis of what to expect from each new arrival from a Draft EPL Fantasy perspective between now and when the Premier League transfer window slams shut on September 1. Our fourth installment looks at players who arrived in August, as well as those yet to arrive. Follow along with our summer transfer series and so much more in our 23/24 Draft Kit. Check out our Pricing Plans for pre-season and season-long access to our in-depth fantasy analysis.
Check out our 23/24 Draft Kit for all the pre-season information you could ever need. We've got a Live Draft Aide, Draft Rankings, Team Previews, Cheat Sheets, Strategy Articles, Draft 101. Dominate your draft!
23/24 Premier League Confirmed Transfers Analysis
Below, Gavin Wright and Draft Genie list each Premier League transfer individually, providing their analysis of how they will perform in the 23/24 Premier League season. We use a five-star rating model to rank the new signings relative to their draft value; use these as a guide to help get your Draft Premier League season off to a flyer!
We’ve ranked the prospects based on a star rating, from 1 to 5:
⭐️ = Steer clear
⭐️⭐️ = Wait and see
⭐️⭐️⭐️ = Could be worth a punt
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ = Great prospect
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ = The Premier League signing you’ve been waiting for!
In addition, since we are close to the beginning of the season and many leagues will have already completed their drafts, we have included a recommendation for what percentage of your Free Agent Budget (FAB) is a good value for what each player stands to bring to your fantasy roster.
The Premier League Summer Transfer Signings covered here were confirmed by their respective clubs between July 31 and August 8 (catch up here on Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3). Any additional fantasy-relevant signings to come in between now and the end of the transfer window will be covered in upcoming Waiver Wire articles.
Any player with an * next to their name has not yet been confirmed, but is heavily linked with a move to the Premier League and could be confirmed in the near future.
James Ward-Prowse*
Position: Central midfielder (M in Fantrax)
Team: West Ham
Signed From: Southampton (rumored)
Prospects: If you've played the Fantrax Draft EPL game in seasons past, and especially if you've followed any of our content over the past few years, you know that Ward-Prowse is something of a cult figure. The 28 year-old has been one of the most consistent, reliable and valuable players in Fantrax Default Scoring in his time with Southampton in the Premier League. Even in the Saints' tepid 22/23 season, JWP finished 11th overall in points scored (Editor's note: he also finished 11th overall in 2021/22 and 2020/21), averaging more than 11 points per start and starting all 38 games. The English midfielder's set-piece prowess is a major contributor to his success from a fantasy perspective, and it's hard to imagine he wouldn't command a significant percentage of dead balldead-ball situations if his transfer to West Ham were to go through. We won't spend as much time as we could writing about the merits of having Ward-Prowse on your roster, especially since the move hasn't quite reached the stage where it feels like a certainty, but suffice it to say you're unlikely to find a more 'sure thing' in terms of a transfer coming in and knocking it out of the park for your fantasy team.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Recommended FAB: It's completely justifiable to spend 100% of your FAB budget, or a #1 waiver claim on Ward-Prowse, but given his reputation among Fantrax veterans, even all of your FAB may not be enough to secure his services. It's also perfectly reasonable to hold onto some FAB and try to get him for less. Just don't be surprised if you see some trades going through right up to the waiver deadline as people try to bring him in.
Rasmus Hojlund
Position: Striker (F in Fantrax)
Team: Manchester United
Signed From: Atalanta for £64m
Prospects: After weeks of speculation and back-and-forth negotiations, United may have finally solved their striker problem. It has been a while since United have found a reliable #9. In recent years, Ronaldo, Cavani and Martial have had stints in the role, but between poor form and injuries neither was able to make a major impact. Rashford has been used there but, given his best position is on the left wing, it is a huge waste of his potential to keep him there. Hojlund will miss the first few games with a minor back injury but could see minutes before we reach the international break. Hojlund's role is already defined; he will lead the United front line. His goalscoring record from Atalanta isn't amazing, with 9 goals in 32 appearances, but he will have much better service and attacking support around him at United -- especially from the likes of Bruno, Rashford, Shaw and even Mount.
Ten Hag will have some work to do in order to help the Dane realize his full potential, but based on Hojlund's highlights and positioning I think he will thrive in the United set-up. With his injury, there will be less pressure on him needing to hit the ground running with the rest of the United attackers able to step in and cover his absence. Knowing he can come into the XI with a team that has already played a few games together may be an unexpected benefit, with the youngster just needing to get on the end of the chances created. With Shaw and Bruno constantly whipping in crosses in the air or on the ground, United finally have a striker willing to run into those dangerous spaces to get a foot or head on it. The number of times I have seen no United striker attack a perfect Luke Shaw cross from the left was very concerning. I expect Hojlund to offer serious FWD1 value when he starts, and when he finds his feet this could be a match made in heaven. Given his injury or the fact it may take him a few games to show his stuff, you could get him a bit cheaper in a trade when a manager can't hold onto him much longer.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Recommended FAB: I would recommend using 80-100% of your FAB or the top waiver claim to bring in the new United #9. A starting striker for a top-4 Premier League team is hard to come by, and I believe he will be the best signing from the post-draft waiver wire.