Welcome to the PitchSlap recap of the best deals done by the Premier League clubs as the jaws of the transfer window were prized open once again. June brought/bought a flurry of activity involving Premier League clubs who perhaps felt overshadowed by the stupendous spending going on at Real Madrid.

As usual Man City were the first to set the pace paying £12m for Gary Barry and also completing the biggest deal of the summer so far, shelling out £18m for Roque Santa Cruz. A number of managers swapped teams too with Ancelotti and Martinez arrving in the top flight and we saw the continued trend of clubs asking for compensation in return.

To catch all the moves as they happen follow our Twitter feed and check out our Transfers page

See if you agree with our picks of the shrewdest bits of business

1. Birmingham City In: Joe Hart from Manchester City on a season long loan

The best move of the month as Alex Mcleish has tied up 1 of the countries most promising goalkeepers without shelling out a penny. Hart has played 40 times at the top level and has even played in Europe despite only being 22, the kind of experience that may prove vital to a newly promoted side.

2. West Ham United In: Luis Jimenez from Inter Milan season long loan

One of the suprise moves of the summer, underrate Jimenez at your peril. A clever playmaking forward, he may not offer a huge goal return but he  has the ability to run between the lines and open up defenses with crafty play. With no outlay Jimenez is a gamble that might just pay off for the Hammers.

3. Sunderland In: Steve Bruce from Wigan Athletic £3m

A £3m price tag for a manager may seem a bit steep but Sunderland have finally found a manager with Premier League experience, tactical nous and transfer market savvy. After the costly mistakes of the past season Bruce may be able to turn the North East club into a top half team and that is priceless.

4. Liverpool In: Glen Johnson from Portsmouth £17m

Forget the price tag this deal is all about giving Liverpool an attacking threat from full back something which the reds have clearly lacked in recent years. Johnson fits the bill and this looks like a perfect move for the England man, joining a settled defence and with little competition in his position.

5. Manchester City In: Gareth Barry from Aston Villa £12m

Questions will remain over Barry’s decision to join a club not in European competition after his demands for Champions League football but from City’s point of view, Barry will finally add creativity, drive and genuine quality to a midfield that has been makeshift in the past few seasons.

6. Manchester United Out: Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid £80m

Selling your best player, the world player of the year and the man who has won the last 3 league titles almost single handedly is rarely a good idea. Except if he was going to leave anyway and you manage to get £80m in return which may help service the mammoth debts the club has built up.

7. Portsmouth In: Aaron Mokoena from Blackburn Rovers Free

When a club is in turmoil and players are leaving left right and centre its important to get some bodies in to stem the tide. In Mokoena Pompey have picked up a versatile, experienced player at a price even a cash strapped club can afford.

8. Chelsea In: Danny Sturridge from Manchester City Tribunal to set fee

We’ll have to wait and see what the fee is and if he develops into the player his potential suggests but this is a shrewd signing by Frank Arnesen. Young, hungry and cheap, Sturridge can provide cover for the big guns up front at a fraction of the price and without the ego and outbursts.

9. Arsenal In: Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax £11m

An inflated price for an unheralded player but with Arsenal’s defensive frailties cruelly exposed on numerous occasions last season Vermaelen will quickly get his chance to prove his worth. The Ajax captain last season, the gunners will be hoping he can show more leadership skills than William Gallas.

10. Blackburn Rovers Out: Roque Santa Cruz to Manchester City £18m

Similar to the Ronaldo deal Blackburn knew Santa Cruz was on his way. What is remarkable is that they managed to secure £18m in return for a player who cost £3.5m and who hardly played for the last 6 months of the season and failed to repeat the form that brought the big clubs knocking.