The transfer window has well and truly kicked off over the past week with some big moves now finalised.
James Maddison
Leicester City to Tottenham
Fee: £40million
Tottenham’s interest in Maddison dates back a couple of years but it came as a bit of a surprise to see them sign the England international after their eighth-place finish last season. The 26-year-old was always going to be on the move this summer after Leicester’s relegation but it had appeared as though Newcastle might be his most likely destination. There had even been some suggestion that Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool all might make a move for the former Norwich City playmaker.
Maddison was one of the star performers for the Foxes in what was a disappointing season, scoring 10 times and assisting nine. During the 2021/22 campaign, he finished with 20 goal involvements in the Premier League. He’s a dual threat – he’s a reliable goal outlet and a creative menace – and he will add some guile to a new-look Spurs team under Ange Postecoglou.
Kai Havertz
Chelsea to Arsenal
Fee: £65million
As soon as it was clear that Chelsea would entertain offers for the Germany international, the expectation was that he would return to the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich primed to add him to their attack. There was even some talk that Real Madrid might move for him following the departure of Karim Benzema, so it was a bit of a surprise when Arsenal went big on the 6ft3 attacker.
The Gunners paid a reported £65million to sign the 24-year-old and Mikel Arteta plans to use him in midfield next season. He didn’t have the best of times at Stamford Bridge but if he’s able to rediscover his Bayer Leverkusen form – he scored 29 times across two Bundesliga campaigns as a teen – Arsenal will be even more of a threat during the 2023/24 campaign. After all, the Spanish tactician helped develop Martin Ødegaard into a 15-goal-a-season midfielder.
Edouard Mendy
Chelsea to Al Ahli
Fee: £16million
Mendy had a strange Chelsea career. During his debut season with the club, he was one of the best goalkeepers in the world as the Blues claimed the Champions League trophy. He even equalled a European record by keeping nine clean sheets throughout the competition.
The former Rennes shot-stopper won the FIFA Best Goalkeeper award, helped Chelsea win the Club World Cup and was pivotal in Senegal being victorious in the African Cup of Nations. Graham Potter’s appointment saw Mendy lose his place in the starting XI to Kepa and he went on to make just 12 appearances across the 2022/23 campaign.
He’s one of a number of Chelsea players to move to Saudi Arabia this summer.
Marcus Thuram
Borussia Mönchegladbach to Inter
Fee: Free transfer
At one stage, it had appeared as though Thuram might be heading to Paris Saint-Germain. Following the expiration of his Gladbach contract, the 25-year-old was free to move and he finally settled on joining beaten Champions League finalists, Inter.
This has the potential to be one of the best signings of the summer. Thuram scored 13 times and assisted on six occasions in the Bundesliga last season on his way to a 7.3 FotMob rating. He’s a versatile goalscorer who could well be a good foil for Lautaro Martínez.
Mateo Kovačić
Chelsea to Manchester City
Fee: £24million
This transfer is one that suits all parties. Chelsea pocket £24m for a player who would’ve left for free in 12 months while treble-winners Manchester City get a highly technical player with plenty of experience to help fill part of the void left by İlkay Gündoğan. Then there’s Kovačić, who moves from a club in perpetual transition to arguably the most consistent team in world football, and one that might allow him to play his natural game.
It will, however, be interesting to see who else the champions bring in this summer to help bolster their midfield options.
Guglielmo Vicario
Empoli to Tottenham Hotspur
Fee: £16milion
Spurs needed to address the goalkeeping situation so it was no surprise to see them move for a shot-stopper this summer. What was a surprise, though, was who they brought in.
Empoli finished 14th in Serie A last term but Vicario’s performances earned him FotMob’s highest average rating, in the league, for his position. And he was therefore included in our Team of the Season. But what will likely interest Postecoglou is his ability with the ball. The 26-year-old is comfortable in possession and this is something the former Celtic boss can work with as he looks to put his stamp on things while finding a suitable successor to Hugo Lloris.
İlkay Gündoğan
Manchester City to Barcelona
Fee: Free Transfer
After seven trophy-filled years with Manchester City, Gündoğan decided to make the move to Barcelona. Under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, he developed into one of the most well-rounded midfielders in the world and his experience will no doubt help the likes of Pedri and Gavi, especially with the LaLiga champions losing Sergio Busquets this summer.
It will be interesting to see how Xavi plans to use the free-scoring 32-year-old. He can practically play any role in midfield to a ridiculously high level.
Kalidou Koulibaly
Chelsea to Al Hilal
Fee: £20million
Koulibaly is another to have a strange Chelsea career. He signed for the Blues last summer from Napoli and, at the time, it was considered to be quite the coup after a number of clubs had shown an interest in the 6ft1 centre-back.
He started well, scoring against Spurs, before being sent off in a heavy defeat to Leeds United. Koulibaly was in and out of the team before missing most of April and May with a hamstring injury. The 32-year-old has now been sold for a £10m loss just 12 months after signing.
Rúben Neves
Wolves to Al Hilal
Fee: £47million
Neves was another player heading into the final 12 months of his contract. The Wolves midfielder had been linked with moves away from Molineux in January but multiple reports said Barcelona would make their play for him in the summer. That might’ve been their plan but they likely didn’t expect Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal to offer £47m for the Portuguese international’s services.
This was a statement move for the club. Up until that point, only free transfers had been making the move to the Saudi league. All eyes will be on Wolves now to see how they replace their captain.
Christoph Baumgartner
Hoffenheim to RB Leipzig
Fee: £21million
RB Leipzig are starting to spend some of the Christopher Nkunku money. Baumgartner could prove to be a shrewd signing for the Bundesliga side. The 23-year-old is arguably just as versatile as Nkunku and there are plenty of positives to his game. He’s scored seven goals in three of the past four seasons and chips in with assists too.
His arrival coupled with Dani Olmo’s contract extension and the potential arrival of Fabio Carvalho on loan from Liverpool means Die Roten Bullen have plenty of attacking options next season.
(Images from IMAGO)
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