Best signing of Summer 2012

This year has been a busy one in terms of transfers and they have a massive effect on the Premier League. The season is into it's second half now and the famous 'Honeymoon periods' are well and truly over. I've decided to make a shortlist of who I think the best signing of Summer 2012 has been this season. 

Benteke

Benteke has been pretty explosive since signing for the Villains. His powerful forward played has scared many a defence and he has also been banging on some goals too. This is quite an achievement considering the team that are playing around him as he's got 11 goals in all competitions this season. That is not a bad return for someone who is just 22 years of age and is playing in the Premier League for the first time in his career. Villa paid £7m for the Belgian powerhouse and whilst not a bargain, it's not a bad price considering that many top clubs are monitoring him. 


RVP
Van Persie hasn't been at Old Trafford long and it's fair to say he's already a Manchester United hero. His late winner at the Etihad in the Manchester derby can only have been what he dreamed about as he sent thousands of United fans beserk. He then conjured some magic in the FA Cup in scoring a sublime late goal to cause a replay. It's not just the timing of his goals though, he's also got 22 in all competitions this season in 28 games! Although he cost United £24m, I think he has more than proved his worth, a world class striker who is lethal on that left foot. 

Diame
Diame has been hot property in the latest January transfer window as his bullish performances for the Hammers have interested a number of clubs since they became aware he had a £3.5m release clause. He joined West Ham on a free in the Summer, a signing that no one really took note of. However, since his arrival he has been phenomenal for them. His ability to drive through the midfield, beat players and his sheer strength has made him an Upton Park favourite. He has a bit of class about him too, shown in his thumper against Arsenal in October. If West Ham can get him a new contract with a higher release clause then they could make a nice bit of profit there, although I'm sure they'd rather hold on to him!

                                                                                    Hazard
Hazard joined Chelsea for a fee of around £32m in the Summer from French side Lille. He has a blistering start to the season and looked very impressive for the Blues, grabbing a few goals an assists. Since then he has gone a little quieter but has been gently ticking along, somewhat in the shadow of Juan Mata at times. He has hit the headlines recently for his 'Ballboy kick' but I'm sure he'd much rather be in the headlines for different matters. He's played 37 games in all competitions for Chelsea and has grabbed 8 goals and 12 assists which is pretty good. I do however think Chelsea fans will be a little disappointed and would have expected a bit more with the size of his pricetag. However, at the age of just 22, he has a long way to go and could turn into a sensational player. A good signing but not quite as good as everyone expected.

Michu
Never mind the signing of the season, Michu has undoubtedly been the surprise of the season! The Spaniard joined Swansea in the Summer for the nominal fee of £2.2m, what a master-stroke by boss Michael Laudrup that has turned out to be! So far this season, he's grabbed 16 goals in all comptetitions, a sensational return in 29 games for someone who was so unknown and cost so little. If you want to gauge just how good he's been this season then you only have to look at the fact that he has been called up to the Spain squad to face Uruguay in a friendly on 6th February. Genius from Laudrup, it has to be said.

In conclusion, I think the signing of the season has to be Michu. Van Persie pushed him very hard however I think if you take the price into account then he has to be the winner. Whilst RVP is possibly one of the best strikers in the world, he has the luxury of some incredible service from some world class players, something which Michu doesn't, making his feats even more impressive.

Who do you think is the best signing of Summer 2012? Tell us in the comments section below!

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it!