With the European Championships done and dusted, this summer all attention turns back to club football as sides from across Europe desperately try and improve their squads ahead of the new season. With no more distractions, players are now free to discuss moves and with the likes of Erling Haaland and Harry Kane likely to move on this summer, the biggest moves may yet be to come. But here are some of the biggest transfers that have already happened.
Jadon Sancho to Manchester United (£72m)
The agreement for the biggest transfer of the summer so far has been officially announced by both Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United and will see English star Sancho return to Manchester, having left City’s academy for the Bundesliga in 2017.
Emi Buendia to Aston Villa (£33m)
The Championship Player of the Year, fresh from helping Argentina win the Copa America, swapped Norfolk for the Midlands as Aston Villa made a serious statement of intent with his signing. His flair and creativity are almost unmatched and Villa have paid over £30m to secure his signature. If they can hold on to Jack Grealish, then that duo will be a joy to watch next term.
Sergio Aguero and Memphis Depay to Barcelona (free)
Barcelona’s financial difficulties mean that they cannot spend any money this summer, so free transfers are the way forward. Depay joins from Lyon and Aguero links up with his mate Lionel Messi, who should also sign a new contract before the month is out. However, their financial issues must be fully resolved before any new signing can be registered.
Fikayo Tomori to AC Milan (£25m)
Chelsea’s top class defender made a big impression in Milan last term on loan, so much so that Stefano Pioli decided to part with £25m to bring him to the club on a permanent basis. At 23, he is young and English and could provide a great option for Gareth Southgate in Qatar next year.
Michael Olise to Crystal Palace (£8m)
If Norwich got a good price for Buendia, Reading were robbed by Crystal Palace who activated an £8m release clause to bring Olise to the club. At 19, and with the successful signing of Ebere Eze lining up next to him, Patrick Vieira’s Palace could be an exciting watch.
Junior Firpo to Leeds (£13m)
Barcelona’s summer exodus allowed Leeds to pick up a 24-year-old left back who found his feet at Betis before an unsuccessful two year stint at the Nou Camp. Marcelo Bielsa will be able to get the best out of him, for sure.
Patson Daka and Boubakary Soumare to Leicester (£23m + £17m)
Don’t ever question Leicester’s transfers. Striker Daka scored a quite ridiculous 54 goals in 82 games for RB Salzburg and looks like he could be the next big thing as Leicester eye-up an eventual replacement for Jamie Vardy. Meanwhile, Soumare joins from Ligue 1 champions Lille. At 22, he has loads of potential and will look to follow in the footsteps of N’Golo Kante, who also joined the Foxes from Ligue 1.
Ibrahima Konate to Liverpool (£36m)
Liverpool’s centre-back debacle last season will have given Jurgen Klopp nightmares so he moved quickly to bring in 21-year-old Konate from RB Leipzig. He is yet to break into the France squad but has several U21 appearances to his name, and should provide solid first-team cover if needed. He didn’t come cheap though.
Rui Patricio to Roma (£10m)
Jose Mourinho is making moves in the Italian capital already, bringing in his countryman Rui Patricio from Wolves. The Portuguese keeper has departed Molineux after an incredibly successful spell, but he may not be the last to leave after the departure of lovable boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
Achraf Hakimi to PSG (£54m)
This summer’s second most expensive transfer saw Moroccan right-back Hakimi join PSG from Serie A champions Inter. His CV is simply exceptional, featuring the likes of Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and now PSG. At just 22, he is well worth the hefty fee the French giants have paid for him.
Dayot Upamecano to Bayern Munich (£38m)
Having taken new boss Julian Nagelsmann from them, Bayern continued their raid of RB Leipzig by paying £38m for one of the world’s best young defenders, Upamecano. The dominant force in Germany fended off all other competition to secure his signature and will be heavy favourites for the Bundesliga once again next term.
David Alaba to Real Madrid (free)
We have been aware of Alaba’s qualities for some time now and he performed well at Euro 2020 for Austria, but after 281 matches and 11 years at Bayern, he has moved to the Santiago Bernabeu on a free. What a signing and what an opportunity for the Austrian captain.
Milot Rashica to Norwich (£9m)
Buendia’s replacement at Carrow Road joins from Werder Bremen and Rashica is now the most expensive signing in the club’s history. Having failed to spend any money at all the last time they were up, it seems the Canaries are on a more stable footing in an attempt to lose their ‘yo-yo’ club tag this time around.
Josh King to Watford (free)
An interesting one to finish on. King was linked with Manchester United not that long ago, but after relegation with Bournemouth, an unsuccessful spell at Everton followed. Now he has joined up with newly promoted Watford and could be one to watch if he can rediscover the form that made the Old Trafford club sit up and take note.
