10 Game-Changing Premier League Summer Transfers

At Real Madrid, Robinho was a hot, simmering talent. He had the skill, the creativity, and the attacking flair that could threaten to compromise La Liga defences on a regular basis. But the young Brazilian never quite found himself in favour at the Bernabéu, and he seemed destined to be leaving in 2008. Few could've guessed his ultimate destination.

Around this time, Manchester City were once again struggling to stay afloat. They'd earned a respectable top ten finish in the 2007-08 season, but off the field issues with their Thai owners were causing financial headaches. Then stepped in one Sheikh Mansour and the billions that came with him. Mansour's subsequent takeover in the summer made City a very wealthy club indeed, and they wanted to flex their wedge on the transfer market.

With the planets all aligned on deadline day, a monumental £32.5 million deal materialised and Robinho signed for Manchester City in a transfer that rocked football. Ultimately, it never quite worked out for Robinho at City but the deal is still seen as a game-changer, as it represented a flashy statement of intent from the new big boys of English football.