Five worst summer signings

As soon as the transfer window opens during the summer, supporters of clubs up and down the country can be found scrolling down the back pages, excitedly looking to see if their team has been linked with a player from these shores or abroad.

However, sometimes, that dream summer signing sometimes can turn into a nightmare as players struggle to justify their price tag during the transitional period at a new club, and the pressure quickly mounts as fans seek a return for their team spending a significant amount of funds on their signature.

Below, Sports Mole selects five players that have failed to deliver since completing a move to a Premier League club during the summer.

1. Brown Ideye

After spending the previous three years as Dynamo Kiev's leading striker, it came as a minor surprise when West Bromwich Albion were able to secure the services of Nigerian international Brown Ibeye. After scoring 33 league goals during his time in the Ukraine, the 26-year-old attracted attention from all over Europe before deciding to complete a £10m move to The Hawthorns. At the time, it was seen as a major coup for the Baggies, who were keen to establish themselves in mid-table in the top flight, but so far Ibeye has failed to deliver for his new team. It wasn't until Boxing Day that he managed to score his first Premier League goal, but even that was more down to luck than judgement. After a poor return from his 13 games in an Albion shirt, the pressure is on Ibeye to find his form under new head coach Tony Pulis or he could find himself needing to find a new club.

2. Mario Balotelli

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When reports started to emerge that Liverpool were interested in Mario Balotelli, everyone began to weigh up the pros and cons regarding a move for the controversial Italian, but with the 24-year-old available for £16m it appeared to be worth the risk. However, almost six months into his spell at the club, there is already talk of Balotelli making a swift exit from Merseyside after failing to score a Premier League goal in 11 appearances. He has netted twice in six matches in cup competitions but overall, his level of performance has been far lower than expected of him and if the club receive a suitable bid for his services, it's hard to see Brendan Rodgers not cashing in on his striker.

3. Lazar Markovic

Ever since he started to emerge as one of Europe's brightest talents at Partizan, Lazar Markovic was frequently linked with a move to Chelsea, but after helping Benfica to domestic and Europa League success during his one year in Portugal, the Serbian winger finally earned his move to England with Liverpool. He delivered a couple of quality performances during Liverpool's pre-season tour of the United States, but it's been a different story since the middle of August. The 20-year-old has made just four starts in the Premier League, while his sending-off in the Champions League against Basel was his only contribution in Europe. Markovic has time on his side but he requires a strong second half to the season to avoid becoming a one-season wonder at Anfield.

4. Remy Cabella

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After impressing during his time at Montpellier, the signature of Remy Cabella was hotly contested during the summer before Newcastle United managed to get the deal over the line, much to the delight of the St James' Park faithful. After scoring 24 goals from 97 games, the France international arrived in the North-East with plenty of expectation riding on his shoulders but although he has featured in 18 top-flight games, he has yet to find the back of the net and some of his appearances have frustrated the home support. Before his exit, manager Alan Pardew insisted that the 24-year-old wasn't ready for Premier League football, and although that claim might be slightly exaggerated, Cabella has plenty of work to do to justify Newcastle's decision to hand him a long-term contract.

5. Thomas Ince

After his contract at Blackpool expired during the summer, Thomas Ince had the pick of clubs in England and even in Europe. For weeks, it appeared likely that the England Under-21 international would make the lucrative switch to Serie A giants Inter Milan, but surprisingly, the winger performed a U-turn and opted to move to Hull City. Ince believed that a transfer to one of the biggest clubs in Europe had come too soon for him, and that his preference was to continue his development with the Tigers, but Ince has struggled to make any kind of impact at the KC Stadium. He has been limited to five appearances in the Premier League, with a two-month loan spell at Nottingham Forest proving more productive than his time on the pitch under Steve Bruce.