The previous transfer window definitely gave us plenty of headlines. With the transfer window approaching again, I have made a top 10 list of transfers that I liked the most and provided some bonus shots of moves that didn’t make my top 10 but were great moves for their respective teams. Enjoy the read!
Social Mike
The Lionel Messi Saga
By now, you know how this turned out, there has been a lot of turnover at Barcelona, and things were getting very ugly hence the amount of change with the team and the front office. Winning heals most things, and it seems as if Messi was content at the moment. However, Barcelona needs to start winning if they hope to keep Messi past this season. With the latest news from Camp Nou, it’s now looking like Messi is almost certainly on his way out. There has been speculation with Pep re-signing at Man City that he leads the pack in landing Messi, and it’s now looking to be happening sooner rather than later.
Top 10
1. Kai Havertz (Chelsea) £71m – Every major European club just about wanted the gem of this transfer window Kai Havertz. Still, only a few clubs had the capital to sign the young German international. Luckily for Chelsea, they had money to spend, and spend it they did. Kai joins a revamped Chelsea team who will look to challenge Liverpool this year for the Premier League title. We’ve already gotten to see flashes of why Chelsea shelled out the transfer for Kai. Adding more consistent performances will make this move look like a steal.
2. Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool FC) £20m+£5m add ons – This move is high on my list for numerous reasons, for a player with Thiago’s skills and what Liverpool paid for his services. This was a win in so many ways for the Reds. This was another player that Barcelona failed to sign in the transfer window, and Liverpool took advantage and landed a great player in the Spanish midfielder. Unfortunately for Thiago, the start to his season hasn’t gotten off to the start he expected due to injury. However, he is in line to return to action for the Reds soon.
3. Ferran Torres (Manchester City) £20.8m – The signing of Ferran Torres by Manchester City was a bargain for a player with this much upside. Probably one of my favorite moves of the Transfer Window, Ferran is now part of a stacked Man City side who is looking to reclaim the crown in the EPL. Torres has already shown his brilliance with his play and will only get better with more playing time. His recent International play is making Ferran look like the biggest bargain of the summer transfer window.
4. Weston Mckennie (Juventus) Loan w/ Purchase Option Clause – This is one of my personal favorite moves of the summer for many reasons. The American has been a regular in the starting lineup and has been playing well so far. This is looking like it will turn into a permanent move for Weston Mckennie, and he is deserving of it. Weston has managed to force himself into a starting midfield role with his brilliant play. He joins a talented group, and the future sure is bright for the Texas native.
5. Dony Van De Beek (Manchester United) £39m – The Red Devils grabbed themselves a bargain with Dony’s signing. Not only is he a solid player to add to a midfield that needed help, but he should become a full-time starter in no time. Van De Beek’s cost was relatively low since many teams were interested in his services. More time on the pitch is what is currently lacking for Van De Beek. That’s looking to change in the upcoming games as he has performed well when given his chances.
6. Diogo Jota (Liverpool) £45m – Diogo Jota switches sides in the Premier League as he joins the Reds from Wolverhampton. Diogo is another solid player joining the defending champs who have added yet another talent to their already stacked roster with hopes to defend their title. Jota has not disappointed as he has given us some highlights when he has been on the field. Kloop will continue to use the Portuguese if he keeps having performances like he’s had so far in the Champions League.
7. Fabio Silva (Wolverhampton) £35m – The next Jao Felix?? Wolverhampton is certainly hoping so. The young Portuguese joins the Premier League side from Porto and has the chance to assert himself as the future leader and star of the Wolves as long as they can keep him from moving on to bigger European clubs. Time will tell if Silva can live up to the transfer fee. For now, the Wolves do not need to rush him, and they can take their time in his development process.
8. James Rodriguez (Everton) £20m – Since leaving Monaco a few years back, James Rodriguez has struggled to regain his top form with his club play. He’s bounced around a few top European clubs, but a reunion with Ancelotti is just what Rodriguez needed. Under Ancelotti, James has had success in the past, and now he looks to bring the same results to Everton as he looks to regain his form under Carlo’s guidance. James has had success in the Premier League so far. Let’s see if he can keep up the pace and make Everton contenders.
9. Rodrigo (Leeds United) £27m – The Spaniard joins “El Loco” Bielsa’s side from La Liga. When this move first was announced, this seemed to be a great signing for the recently promoted Premier League side. Now, Rodrigo has gotten off to a slow start, but this signing is a plus for Leeds United none the less. He will get to score some goals for the Argentine manager. However, scoring hasn’t been a problem for Leeds United. So far, it’s the defense that hasn’t been doing their part.
10. Victor Osimhen (Napoli) £73.2m – The young Nigerian striker holds the record for an African player’s highest transfer fee. Osimhen will be a perfect addition to a Lazio team that needed a striker to go along with Lorenzo Insigne. In 3rd place in Serie A, Napoli contends for a Champions League spot and the league trophy. Victor has already provided some scoring for the Italian club, and they hope the scoring continues for their prized acquisition.
Bonus Shots
1. Arthur (Juventus) £66m – A young player leaving Barcelona isn’t something that regularly happens. What was a strange move for Barcelona became a plus for Juventus as they got a talented Brazilian joining the defending champs to help claim another title.
2. Jonathan David (Lille) £27m – Another young Canadian star in the making. With Lille paying this kind of price tag for a player, he isn’t someone you’d expect to be coming off the bench. David will join fellow Concacaf striker Timothy Weah to form an exciting duo for the Ligue 1 side in its quest to pursue a title.
3. Sergiño Dest (Barcelona) £25 – The only reason this acquisition wasn’t higher on my list was the timing. This move happened right before the transfer window closed. So far, the young American has taken advantage of his opportunities as he has put in some outstanding performances. If Sergiño continues his excellent play, he will get on the pitch for Barcelona.
4. Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla) £1.4m – Anytime you can land a player of Rakitic’s caliber, it’s a win for any team. To land him at the £1.4m price tag is even better. Ivan Rakitic returns to Sevilla after spending the past six seasons at Barcelona, and the Croatian steps right into the starting role. So far, it has been an excellent decision for Rakitic this season as Sevilla sits at 5th in La Liga vs. where his former team Barcelona currently sits at 7th.
5. Willian (Arsenal) Free – Willian announced that he was leaving Chelsea during the transfer window. The shock came once he announced that he was heading to the London rivals Arsenal for free. Willian was linked to a couple of big European clubs but ultimately decided to stay in the Premier League, joining second-year coach Mikel Arteta’s squad. This move has backfired for Willian as Arsenal are playing catch up to Chelsea so far in the standings.
6. Allan (Everton) £25m – Allan is another Everton signing that I liked this transfer window. He joins the Toffees from Italian side Napoli. Allan joins forces with James Rodriguez to anchor the midfield for Carlo Ancelotti’s side. They look to make a run at a European competition spot they are currently placed in 9th of the Premier League.
7. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham) £15m + add ons – Højbjerg switches squads in the Premier League as he joins Jose Mourinho’s Hotspurs’ side from Southampton. The Danish midfielder joined a crowded Tottenham midfield looking to get himself into the regular starting squad. He’ll have to fight off some competition for playing time as the Spurs find themselves in 1st place. So far, this signing is proving to be paying off for Jose and Tottenham.
8. Malang Sarr (Chelsea) Free – Malang Sarr joins the Blues to reinforce a defense that has been left depleted as they added some much-needed depth during the transfer window. The young French defender is an excellent pick-up and will become a future starter if, given the opportunity to get on the pitch, a loan out in the upcoming transfer window should help Sarr’s development process.
9. Reinier (Borussia Dortmund) Loan – In what I initially thought to be a great addition to an already loaded BVB side, Reinier hasn’t quite panned out for Dortmund yet. I believe with some given opportunities, Reinier will deliver. This move was meant to get him some playing time, but the opposite has happened as he has only been featured in 2 games.
10. David Silva (Real Sociedad) Free – David Silva makes his return to La Liga for free leaving Man City after a 10-year stint. Joining Real Sociedad, the midfield maestro and his team sit atop of the La Liga table, having lost only one game so far this season. Sociedad will have to fight off Athletico Madrid, Real Madrid, and maybe a resurging Barcelona team who always is in contention for the La Liga title.
Social Mike
RosenthalSports.com 