Here are the top ten expensive buys from the summer transfer window.
Clubs will desire to enhance their squad in the summer transfer window. This is mainly because of the intense pre-season training to instil into the starting eleven straightaway. Especially, if you’re an expensive buy, fans would have set their bar high from day one – expecting the player to perform up to the scratch.
Many clubs have finished their transfers in the early part of the transfer window to hand over their debuts in the opening weekend of the league season. Even though big money buys failed to entertain as last summer, various transfers have already taken a hit at their respective clubs.
With the European transfer window drawing curtains on Monday, we shall look at the top ten expensive buys of this transfer window.
#10 Rodrigo – $75.5 million:
Although Atletico Madrid were not willing to part ways with their midfielder Rodri, Manchester City were prepared to meet the release clause amount worth $75.5 million in the summer window.
The Citizens were looking for a long-term replacement for the ageing Fernandinho. The reigning Premier League winners missed out on Jorginho and Fred last summer, forcing Pep Guardiola to keep quiet until this summer.
The Spaniard brings so much composure in the midfield department, and his addition is a welcomed one. The injury to John Stones and Aymeric Laporte means that Rodri will be forced to play in the defensive department as Fernandinho is seen as a backup for the centre-backs this season. The former Atletico Madrid star has already made a good start to his Manchester City career and will only progress as the day progresses.
#9 Frenkie De Jong – $78.8 million:
Barcelona fans were starving for a new midfielder following inferior displays from Ivan Rakitic and Rafinha last season. The Croat and Spanish struggled, paving way for the Dutch International Frenkie De Jong.
The 22-year-old was exhibiting a string of top-notch displays with utmost consistency for his club and country last season. De Jong also played a huge part in his club’s domestic double and en route to the Champions League Semifinal. The battle between Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain were genuinely heating up, but the Blaugrana won the battle after reaching a pre-agreement in April.
It has been an unconventional start with just four points from possible nine in the La Liga, but Frenkie De Jong has been one of the standout players in the squad.
#8 Matthijs De Ligt – $81.8 million:
Barcelona were on the verge of landing Matthijs De Ligt, but they backed out of the transfer because of the demand by his agent. Since the Blaugrana were not prepared to shell out an enormous agent compensation, the former Ajax Skipper had only two options. Paris Saint Germain and Juventus showed genuine interest in the centre-back to lure him away from Johan Cruyff Stadium.
Since the Old Lady were hoping to strengthen their backline on a long-term basis, they had no thoughts about the money because of the limitless quality available at stake. With Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci not becoming younger, a deal for Matthijs De Ligt cannot come at a perfect time. The centre-back’s start has been unpleasing with a horrific display against Napoli, but he will only get better with time.
#7 Lucas Hernandez – $82 million:
Lucas Hernandez decided to swap Atletico Madrid with Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window. An offer from the German giants was too hard to turn down for the Frenchman because of the defensive situation at Allianz Arena. Jerome Boateng has regressed a lot, while Mats Hummels returned to Borussia Dortmund, opening the door for Lucas Hernandez.
With the ability to play through the left centre-back and left-back, the Bavarians are benefitted on a long-term basis. Versatile defenders are very hard to find in modern football and Hernandez will be an exceptional buy for Bayern Munich. He did not make the appearance during 2-2 against Herta Berlin in the opening day, while starting two games on a trot, which has resulted in victories.
#6 Romelu Lukaku – $84.4 million:
Romelu Lukaku was misfit under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who preferred the young Marcus Rashford through the middle. Since he was seen as a second-choice striker in Old Trafford, the Belgian was looking to leave the club at all costs.
The 26-year-old decided to stay out of Manchester United’s pre-season training to force a move away from the club. Antonio Conte was eager to secure his services and finally got his man on the English transfer deadline day for $84.4 million. It has been an exceptional start for the striker, who has scored two goals in two games for the Nerazzurri, including the winner in the away game against Cagliari in the second game week of the Serie A.
With so much supply around him, Romelu Lukaku will thrive under the management of Antonio Conte, who is using to the player’s efficiency.
#5 Nicolas Pepe – $86.8 million:
Arsenal were hoping to sign a wide attacker in the summer transfer window and got the services of Nicolas Pepe from Lille for $86.8 million. The Ivorian, who impressed the whole of Europe with spellbinding numbers with Lille, has looked threatening in the early days with the Gunners.
The attacker is yet to find the back of the net but has looked bright by taking on defenders for ease. His goalscoring tally was exceptional with the French outfit and he will desire to break his dead as soon as possible. Pepe became the first attacker to dribble past Virgil Van Dijk when the Gunners faced the Reds in the game week 3. With active midfielders like Dani Ceballos and Matteo Guendouzi around him, the former Lille attacker can rack up numbers in this season.
#4 Harry Maguire – $96.5 million:
Manchester United did not shy away from Harry Maguire’s transfer fee in the summer transfer window. The Foxes wanted a fee no lesser than $110 million in the summer transfer window, but the Red Devils were able to reduce the price and make him as the world’s most expensive defender till date.
With no European football and a weak backline, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was forced to break the bank for the centre-back. The former Leicester City has not looked assured till date, owing down his awful positioning frequently. It has been a rough start for the defender, who is hoping to turn his form upside down and steer the Red Devils to the Champions League football once again. His partnership with Victor Lindelof is yet to click and the Red Devils will be desiring to cut short the leakage of goals in the backline.
#3 Eden Hazard – $106.8 million:
Following the Europa League triumph with Chelsea in Baku, Eden Hazard confirmed his departure from the club. He stated that both clubs are in talks over a potential transfer and hoped for the situation to be resolved. The Los Blancos finally landed him for a fee of $106.8 million in the summer transfer window.
He was away with his national time, before returning to Real Madrid training camp. The Belgian is seen as the successor to Cristiano Ronaldo, who has left an unmatched legacy in Santiago Bernabeu, before opting to join Juventus last summer. The attacker is currently on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury and is set to be available after the culmination of the international break.
#2 Antoine Griezmann – $129.8 million:
Antoine Griezmann announced his departure from Atletico Madrid before the last season ended. The Frenchman’s only destination seemed to be Nou Camp after turning them down last summer. He eventually sealed a move to play under Ernesto Valverde for $129.8 million.
With Luis Suarez ageing and Philippe Coutinho struggling to find his samba touch which he left back at Liverpool, forced the club to break the bank for Antoine Griezmann in the summer transfer window. The 28-year-old struggled to find a way against Atletic Bilbao and Osasuna, but the forward put two past Real Betis in Nou Camp last week. It has been a mixed start for Griezmann, who is hoping to elevate his game with consistency.
It’s been four years since Barcelona have lifted the Champions League. The Nou Camp faithful are hoping that the Frenchman could be the jigsaw to carry them to the European glory once again.
#1 Joao Felix – $136.3 million:
Once Antoine Griezmann confirmed his departure from the Los Rojiblancos, Diego Simeone started his process to procure a suitable replacement. The club were looking at multiple candidates and eventually decided to make a multi-million swoop for the Benfica forward Joao Felix.
The 19-year-old holds a huge reputation, having scored 20 goals in 43 appearances for the Portuguese outfit last season. Since Benfica were not prepared to budge for their academy star, Atletico Madrid agreed to pay a full release clause fee worth $136.6 million. The forward impressed in the pre-season friendlies by showing the glimpses of his extraordinary talent.
He looked a class apart in the first two games as Diego Simeone’s men won 1-0. Going 2-0 down to Eibar in the third game, Atletico Madrid scripted an extraordinary comeback by scoring three in the second half, including one from Joao Felix to score his debut goal for the club.
