We’re in the middle of July and somewhere approximately near the middle line between the end of last season and the beginning of a new one. Like every summer, teams start to build their squads for the next season and target many players but eventually only a certain amount of deals gets done. Nevertheless, we have already witnessed quite a few blockbuster moves, emotional comebacks, great free transfer bargains and some crazy affairs as all top managers are on a mission to provide a title-competing squad. We’ll have a look at what is considered to be the top-5 transfers so far, as well as some honorable mentions and a few possible future deals.
THE TOP-5
5.Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal (€52m)
After being a rotation player at Manchester City and still reaching almost a century of goals for the Cityzens, Gabriel Jesus finally will get the chance to prove himself as a Premier League club’s main striker. With Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka on each side and Martin Odegaard behind him, this could result in a deadly attacking force that will help the Gunners live-up to their nickname and bag a hefty amount of goals.
4.Darwin Nunez to Liverpool (€75m)
Buying a striker for €75m and seeing him flop in the team’s first friendly isn’t something that the Liverpool hierarchy wanted and as the internet exploded with Andy Carroll memes right after the game it sure will put pressure on the new arrival from Benfica to deliver when it matters most, the official games. Nevertheless, it’s too early to give a damning verdict for the 23-year old who has some big shoes to fill, abandoned by Sadio Mane’s departure. With Mo Salah and Luis Diaz completing the Reds’ attacking trio, Nunez will have to look up to the Egyptian and find an easy communication method with Spanish-speaking Diaz to enter Klopp’s formation swiftly as Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino will look-on from the bench, ready to pounce on the opportunity should Nunez fail to deliver.
3.Raphinha to Barcelona (€58m+€7m in add-ons)
Barcelona’s first big-money signing of the summer after 2 free transfers of Christensen and Kessie. Leeds’ Brazilian star always dreamed of playing for the Blaugrana and his dream has finally come true. Now it’s up to him to step-up and show why he deserves a spot in Xavi’s starting lineup to back up the rather large fee paid for him.
2.Raheem Sterling to Chelsea (€56m)
Losing Romelu Lukaku has disrupted Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea’s plans and left the Blues with only Armando Broja as a natural striker. Despite the latter’s heroics with Southampton last season, a club like Chelsea can’t afford to ‘go to war’ with him as the main striker and using Kai Havertz as a false nine isn’t always the better alternative. This is where Raheem Sterling comes to play. A winger-turned to striker by Pep Guardiola, Sterling could provide exactly what Chelsea needs upfront. He is the player that has won the most penalties for his clubs, resulting in more goal opportunities and with the right teammates, this deal could help Chelsea’s aspirations for success.
1. Erling Haaland to Man City (€60m)
Arguably one of the best strikers in the World joins arguably one of the best teams in the world. Haaland signed for Man City continuing his dad’s legacy after the latter played for the Citizens over 20 years ago. Last season Pep Guardiola had to improvise with the man to lead his attack even resulting in lineups that included Phil Foden as a false nine. With Haaland as striker, it seems like Man City’s dream team is close to perfection and only a chain of bad luck incidents should prevent the Premier League champs to finally get their hands on Europe’s most prestigious club title, the Champions League trophy.
Honorable mentions
Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea (€10m loan fee, €80m transfer fee option)
Lukaku is quite the character. After joining Inter Milan from Manchester United and winning the Serie A title with the Nerazzurri, the Belgian striker claimed that he has “unfinished business” at Chelsea and his dream was always to win titles with the Blues. He was sold for a hefty €113m fee, enraged Inter fans with his farewell message only to plead to be sold back to Inter a year later after failing miserably. Now he has to win the Nerazzurri’s fans’ trust all over again.
Aurelien Tchouameni to Real Madrid (€80m)
Monaco’s 22 year old midfielder joined the champions of Spain and Europe as Florentino Perez failed to deliver Kylian Mbappe to Los Blancos’ faithful. Although he isn’t supposed to be a starter, it would be interesting to see how he squeezes into a midfield setup that has Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Fede Valverde and Edouardo Camavinga.
Paul Pogba and Angel Di Maria (free transfers)
Juventus’ free transfer policy continues to bring high-profile players to the club as the Vecchia Signora added the veteran Argentinian winger and the French midfielder to their ranks without paying a single Euro Cent for them. For Pogba it would be a second stint at the club, interestingly joining once again from Man Utd and AGAIN for free. After a disappointing season for the Bianconeri these two signings should play a key part in Juve’s attempt to regain the Scudetto.
Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid (free transfer)
A great deal for Los Blancos securing Chelsea’s CB on a free transfer thus bolstering their defense and giving David Alaba the option to return playing as a left back. Rudiger is used to a “three at the back” setup and it would be intriguing to see if Carlo Ancelotti gets the best of him in a 4 defenders formation.
Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich (€32m)
After winning every title possible with Liverpool, Sadio Mane decided it’s time for a change and a new challenge. The Senegalese forward joined Bayern Munich and with the apparent upcoming departure of Robert Lewandowski, it would be interesting to see if Mane has the star quality to lead the Bavarians to success as a team leader and not as a second-fiddle star.
More deals in the making
the transfer window isn’t over yet with a few more major signings set to take place with Robert Lewandowski joining Barcelona set to be the next major move as well as Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso rumored to join Los Cules. Chelsea are planning a whole new defensive trio with Kalidou Koulibaly, Nathan Ake and Prsenel Kimpembe, Manchester United will look to bolster their midfield with Christian Eriksen and Frenkie De Jong as well as their defence with Lisandro Martinez, Arsenal could be in the market for a midfielder with Youri Tielemans as main target, Juventus eye a deal for Roma’s Nicolo Zaniolo, Bayern Munich will try to tie down Serge Gnabry to a new contract so that he doesn’t go to Chelsea and seal a move for Matthijs De Ligt, PSG are still in the market with Renato Sanches and Milan Skriniar as potential targets and Paulo Dybala‘s future is yet to be decided as Roma, Napoli and Inter chase the Argentinian with the latter also being linked with Brazilian defender Bremer. Last but not least, Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to announce his future!
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