September 1, 2022

Summer Transfers Latest News

The European summer transfer window closed on Thursday, with clubs across the continent now unable to add to their squads until January.

Premier League clubs were once again the biggest net spenders with an eye-watering €1.16 billion of combined expenditure. Manchester United were among the busiest clubs, signing two Brazil internationals, an Argentine centre-back and one of the Premier League’s outstanding playmakers.

Over in Spain, Barcelona were busy despite crippling debts, while Real Madrid continued to refresh their squad. Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund splashed the cash in the Bundesliga, but it was a relatively low-key summer for Paris Saint-Germain – at least by their usual standards.

In our round-up of the transfer window, we first look at some of the biggest deals before answering some key questions that emerged in recent weeks.

The biggest transfers

Norwegian striker, Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City

For many months predictions were made about where Norway’s star striker would end up this summer, with Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain all credited with an interest in the centre-forward.

In the end, it was Manchester City who won the race for his signature, as the Premier League champions triggered the €60m buyout clause in his Borussia Dortmund contract. The Norway international has already given City the penalty-box presence and prolific scorer they lacked last season.

Ivan Perisic, Inter to Tottenham Hotspur

Antonio Conte has won his battle with Daniel Levy: Tottenham are now willing to sign players who can help them to win something soon, even if they are unlikely to be long-term signings.

The 33-year-old Ivan Perisic is coming towards the end of his career, but he is still a fine player who has worked under Conte before. While he is capable of operating further forward, the Croatian will probably be deployed as a wing-back in north London.

He is joined at Spurs by fellow new recruits Richarlison, Yves Bissouma, Clement Lenglet, Djed Spence and Fraser Forster.

Matthijs de Ligt, Juventus to Bayern Munich

Given that the long-serving Giorgio Chiellini had already departed, it was a surprise to see Juventus sell Matthijs de Ligt this summer. The Dutchman joined the Italian champions in 2019 and his three-year stay in Turin has not been as successful as both player and club would have hoped.

Bayern Munich paid an initial fee of €70m to secure De Ligt’s signature. He has been around for a while now, so it easy to forget the ex-Ajax man is still only 22 years old. This could prove to be a fantastic acquisition for Bayern.

Ryan Gravenberch, Ajax to Bayern Munich

One of the hottest midfield prospects in world football will be a Bayern Munich player next season. The German champions, who have won each of the last 10 Bundesliga titles, had been tracking the 20-year-old Dutchman for some time and finally struck a deal to sign him for an initial fee of €18.5m.

Rangy, technically sound and a probing passer, Ryan Gravenberch plays with a maturity that belies his age.

Raheem Sterling, Manchester City to Chelsea

Raheem Sterling spoke last year of his desire to test himself abroad, but he has instead returned to the city he grew up in. With less than 12 months of his Manchester City contract remaining, Chelsea were able to sign a four-time Premier League champions for the modest sum of €56m.

The England international was somewhat inconsistent last season but he remains a world-class forward on his day. Sterling can play on either the left or right flank and has already become one of the first names on Thomas Tuchel’s team sheet.

Aurelien Tchouameni, Monaco to Real Madrid

Real Madrid had to pay €80m to sign a player who was valued at around half that amount 12 months ago, but this could still prove to be a bargain signing.

Tchouameni was wanted by a host of top clubs around the continent, but the European champions won the race for his signature in June. The 22-year-old should help freshen up Madrid’s ageing midfield, with Casemiro having joined Manchester United. The Blancos might have missed out on Kylian Mbappe, but at least they did land a French talent in his early 20s.

Robert Lewandowski, Bayern Munich to Barcelona

Robert Lewandowski left Bayern Munich in no doubt that he wished to seek pastures new this summer. Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain were periodically linked, but Barcelona was always his most likely destination.

Given their well-documented financial issues, Barca are taking a gamble by paying €45m for a 33-year-old. Lewandowski guarantees goals, though, and he should help Xavi Hernandez’s side challenge for major honours this season.

Casemiro, Real Madrid to Manchester United

As mentioned above, Manchester United completed a deal to sign Casemiro in August. The Red Devils have not had a top-class deep-lying midfielder since Michael Carrick’s heyday, so the Brazilian should be an excellent addition to Erik ten Hag’s squad.

As well as his on-field quality, Casemiro will bring a winning mentality and vast experience to the United dressing room. Only one player in history (Paco Gento) has won more Champions Leagues than the 30-year-old.

The big losses

Will Arsenal’s business help them finish in the top four?

Arsenal only narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification last time out, and they will be looking to go one better this season. Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos and Matt Turner are among their summer signings, although none of the trio will be a regular starter in 2022/23.

Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko certainly will be. The former Manchester City duo enjoyed successful spells at the Etihad Stadium, albeit without always being guaranteed first picks. Jesus now has a chance to play as a striker week in, week out, while Zinchenko’s intelligence and technical ability will serve Arsenal well whether he is deployed at left-back or in central midfield.

How will Borussia Dortmund cope without star striker?

The now-departed Norwegian scored 86 goals in 89 appearances for Borussia Dortmund, so it is fair to say they will struggle to find a replacement who is just as prolific. On the plus side, BVB have known for some time that the Norwegian would seek pastures new this summer – and their early business has been well received by the club’s fans.

Dortmund have been busy this summer, agreeing deals for the likes of Anthony Modeste, Niklas Sule, Nico Schlotterbeck, Karim Adeyemi, Salih Ozcan and Sebastien Haller. Modeste and Adeyemi will be expected to fill their former striker’s sizable shoes after Haller was diagnosed with a testicular tumour.

How big a loss is Paul Pogba to Manchester United?

The jury is out on this one. Even though his ability cannot be questioned, Pogba did not fulfil his potential at Manchester United. Few supporters were disappointed to lose him on a free transfer, although the club must take a large chunk of the blame for this move not working out.

Juventus have wrapped up a deal to bring Pogba back to the Allianz Stadium, with Angel Di Maria also joining the club on a free transfer. The France international needs to remind everyone how much of a talent he is, but he will miss the first few months of the campaign with injury.

Will Chelsea’s defence be stronger with Koulibaly?

Antonio Rudiger was one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League and Real Madrid will be stronger for having him on their side, having signed him on a free transfer from Chelsea.

Rudiger will be a loss for Chelsea, but Kalidou Kouliably is an excellent replacement. The 31-year-old has been one of the best defenders in the world for several seasons now. His devotion to Napoli was admirable, but in truth the Senegalese stopper could have left the Italian side for a member of Europe’s elite years ago.

Will Chelsea’s defence be weaker without Rudiger?

Antonio Rudiger’s Chelsea contract expires at the end of June, but the Germany international has already agreed to join Real Madrid on a free transfer.

Rudiger was one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League and Chelsea will miss him next season. An aggressive tackler whose recovery pace allowed the Blues to defend with a high line, Rudiger was also a threat from attacking set-pieces and an excellent ball-carrier.

Is Mane for Nunez a good swap for Liverpool?

A year before his Liverpool contract expired, Sadio Mane decided it was time for a new challenge after seven years at Anfield. The Senegal international spent the second half of last season playing through the middle after Luis Diaz’s arrival on Merseyside. He will be replaced in that position by Darwin Nunez, who cost €75m from Benfica.

The Uruguay international was superb for the Portuguese side last term, scoring 34 goals in all competitions. It will be fascinating to see how he gets on alongside Diaz and Mohamed Salah in Liverpool’s frontline.

Will Barcelona’s business come back to haunt them?

As well as splashing out on Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona have paid big bucks to land Raphinha and Jules Kounde this summer, as well as signing Andreas Christensen, Hector Bellerin and Franck Kessie on free transfers. It has been an extraordinary window for a club that was cash-strapped just 12 months ago.

Barcelona’s live-in-the-moment strategy could come back to haunt them. They have sold off future revenue streams in order to fund a lavish squad rebuild, and that could cause major problems down the line.

Are Juventus ready to win the Serie A title again?

After two years without a Serie A title, Juventus are desperate to become kings of the Italian game once more. Max Allegri needs to make progress this season otherwise he will begin to fear for his job, despite the success he enjoyed in his first spell in charge of the Bianconeri.

Juventus picked up two high-profile players on free transfers in Paul Pogba and Angel Di Maria, while they also beat Inter to the signature of Brazilian defender Bremer. With Arek Milik and Leandro Paredes arriving on loan, Juventus will be tough to stop in Serie A.

Major transfer deals

PLAYERFROMTOFEE
Antonio RudigerChelseaReal MadridFree
Ivan PerisicInterTottenham HotspurFree
Paul PogbaManchester UnitedJuventusFree
Franck KessieAC MilanBarcelonaFree
Paulo DybalaJuventusRomaFree
Christian EriksenBrentfordManchester UnitedFree
Angel Di MariaParis Saint-GermainJuventusFree
Niklas SuleBayern MunichBorussia DortmundFree
Pierre-Emerick AubameyangBarcelonaChelsea€12m
Manuel AkanjiBorussia DortmundManchester City€17.5m
Ryan GravenberchAjaxBayern Munich€18.5m
Fabian RuizNapoliParis Saint-Germain€21.5m
Oleksandr ZinchenkoManchester CityArsenal€25m
Nico SchlotterbeckFreiburgBorussia Dortmund€25m
Timo WernerChelseaRB Leipzig€30m
Karim AdeyemiRed Bull SalzburgBorussia Dortmund€38m
Nuno MendesSporting CPParis Saint-Germain€40m
Kalidou KoulibalyChelseaNapoli€40m
Sadio ManeLiverpoolBorussia Dortmund€41m
Robert LewandowskiBayern MunichBarcelona€45m
Kalvin PhillipsLeeds UnitedManchester City€49.5m
Jules KoundeSevillaBarcelona€50m
Gabriel JesusManchester CityArsenal€53m
Lisandro MartinezAjaxManchester United€55m
Raheem SterlingManchester CityChelsea€56m
RaphinhaLeeds UnitedBarcelona€58m
Norwegian StrikerBorussia DortmundManchester City€60m
Matthijs de LigtJuventusBayern Munich€70m
CasemiroReal MadridManchester United€70m
Marc CucurellaBrightonChelsea€74.7m
Darwin NunezBenficaLiverpool€75m
Aurelien TchouameniMonacoReal Madrid€80m
Wesley FofanaLeicester CityChelsea€81.8m
AntonyAjaxManchester United€95m