The Summer's Best Transfers Broken Down

With the new season of European club football upon us, I thought it would be good to discuss some of the summer's biggest transfers. Many big names in the game are prepping for next season with their new clubs. Some of the transfers were predictable, others totally out of the blue, but I can guarantee you the excitement for the newest season is real. In this post, I'll break down some of the most surprising and entertaining transfer sagas this summer. Let's dive in:

1) Juventus: De Ligt, Ramsey, and Rabiot
Juventus had probably the best transfer period of all the clubs in Europe, as they operated in efficient and clinical fashion to secure the signatures of Welsh CM Aaron Ramsey from Arsenal (free transfer), French CM Adrien Rabiot from PSG (free transfer), and Dutch CB Matthijs De Ligt from Ajax ($95 million). Juventus signed six new players, but these three stand out because of the way they were nabbed by the Italian superclub. First came Aaron Ramsey in January, after expressing he no longer wanted to play for Arsenal amid instability at the London-based club due to coaching changes, no Champions League qualification, and poor results in the Premier League. He agreed to join Juventus during the January window after he played out the final days of his Arsenal contract, so Juve didn't have to pay a dime for him. The same happened to Adrien Rabiot; after falling out of favor at PSG due to personality conflicts with head coach Thomas Tuechel. While there were rumblings that Rabiot would join Barcelona, those rumors fell through when Barca signed Frenkie De Jong instead. Rabiot decided to join Juventus, and the club got him for free as well. The only big money signing Juve pulled off this summer was that of Matthijs De Ligt, the Dutch phenom that blew up after his role in getting Ajax to the Champions League semifinals and achieving a domestic double in the Netherlands. He has yet to prove that he should start after giving up an own goal in a preseason match against Inter Milan, but one slip up is probably not going to affect his playing time too much. It will be exciting to see this new Juventus team, especially under new manager Maurizio Sarri.

2) Real Madrid: Hazard, Jovic, Mendy, Militao, Rodrygo
The Losblancos went on a tear this summer as they retool the squad that anguished last season. Real Madrid focused on adding strength in attack and in defense this window. The first big signings were for Luka Jovic from Frankfurt ($68 million) and Rodrygo from Santos ($51 million). Jovic is set to replace Karim Benzema as the first-team striker, after he notched 27 goals in Bundesliga and Europa League play. Rodrygo is a young Brazilian winger who has excellent footwork and free kicks, and he will be the cornerstone of the Madrid youth movement. Next came the signings of LB Ferland Mendy from Lyon ($54 million) and Eder Militao from FC Porto ($51 million). Mendy is the brother of Man City fullback Benjamin Mendy and both have a serious over-lapping attacking style that is perfect for Madrid's love to play wide. Militao is a young defender ready to assert himself at the Spanish superclub. The biggest signing for Madrid this year was for forward Eden Hazard from Chelsea ($114 million). The Belgian had a great last-campaign with Chelsea as they went on to win the Europa League, finished 3rd in the Premier League, and scored 52 goals in all competitions this year. He will take over as the starting left winger and is the Galatico Madrid needed to get over their shortcomings in offense last season. However, this preseason has been rocky for Losblancos, after they lost all of their preseason matches and multiple new signings racked up serious injuries. Hopefully Madrid can work out their kinks before the start of La Liga on August 19th.

3) Barcelona: Griezmann, De Jong, Neto, Emerson
The reigning La Liga champs made some slick moves in the January window and the summer window with five new additions to the club. However, these four stand out the most because they are most impactful signings. The biggest name that joined the Blaugrana this July was French striker and 2018 World Cup-winner Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid ($136 million). Griezmann is a seasoned veteran of La Liga; after starting his career at Real Sociedad in 2009 as part of their youth program, the Frenchman was transferred to Atletico in 2014, and spent five fruitful seasons at the second Madrid-based superclub, winning a Spanish Super Cup, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, and reaching the Champions League Final in 2016. After rumors swirled that this move would happen last summer before he decided to spend one more season in red and white, Griezmann will now lock down the center-forward position behind Luiz Suarez, which will allow Lionel Messi to play from the right wing. Griezmann's goal-scoring and playmaking skills will be crucial for Barcelona to reach the Champions League Final and hoist the trophy. It will also help to have a new batch of young midfielders coming, especially Dutchman Frenkie De Jong from Ajax ($85 million). De Jong was part of the Ajax team that had a remarkable run to the Champions League Semifinal last season, and he is an incredibly versatile player. Acquired from the Amsterdam-based club in January, he can play two-way center-mid, center-defensive-mid, and even center-back. He gives Barca a nice presence in midfield and in defense, not to mention excellent ball control and passing. The Kings of Spain also signed two Brazilians, GK Neto from Valencia ($29 million) and RB Emerson from Ateltico-MG ($13 million). These were more depth signings; Neto will back up Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Emerson will most likely be the backup to Jordi Alba. Barcelona look equipped to dominate Spanish play this year and hopefully they will have the strength to win the Champions League, the prize they are desperately craving to win again before Messi retires.

4) Tottenham Hotspur: Ndombele, Clarke, Lo Celso, Sessegnon
The Champions League runner-ups were not incredibly active during the summer window, but the two players they added to the club are crucial for Tottenham's depth in hope of competing for the EPL title, Champions League, the English League Cup, and the FA Cup. The first signing was Jack Clarke from Leeds United ($12 million). Clarke is an English teen that has been praised highly for his winger play. He has great vision, passing, and scoring from the right side of the pitch. Clarke was signed in the midst of Christian Eriksen exit rumors, but the Danish attacker is still with Spurs on preseason and it looks like he will not be going anywhere. Clarke adds some youth and depth in attack for Tottenham, but since he is still behind players like Eriksen, Lucas Moura, and Erik Lamela on the depth chart, he will be spending next season on loan at Leeds in the hope of becoming more conditioned to the Premier League's intensity. Spurs shelled out the most cash on French CM Tanguy Ndombele from Lyon ($68 million). Ndombele is the ideal midfielder that Spurs are looking for. He can play in both attack and defense, has insane passing skills, and can set up forwards with great balls into the attacking third. His presence alongside Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko will allow Dele Alli to return to his role as shadow striker behind Harry Kane (where Alli is most effective) and let's Eriksen move back to right wing. Toward the end of the Premier League transfer deadline, Tottenham was able to reach deals for Argentine midfielder Giovani Lo Celso from Real Betis (on loan with option to buy) and English fullback Ryan Sessegnon from Fulham ($30 million). Lo Celso had expressed a desire to play under Mauricio Pochettino, and now has the chance with his loan spell at Tottenham. He is another excellent two-way midfielder, with strong attacking abilities that saw him net 46 goals between his time at PSG and Real Betis in 2018-19. As for Sessegnon, he will serve as Kieran Trippier's successor at right-back and gives Spurs defense some much needed support, especially out wide. Spurs are hoping to hoist the Premier League trophy, but competing with Liverpool and Manchester City for the title will be a difficult task. With some much-needed depth and skilled added at midfield, the Lilywhites have increased their chances of claiming some silverware.

5) Manchester United: James, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire
The Red Devils are going through a new era as they try to get back to their form from the Alex Ferguson years, and this time the task has fallen on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. United focused on fixing their defense and the transactions they made prove they are dedicated getting back to the Top 6 in the Premier League. The summer started off strong for United when they acquired left-winger Daniel James from Swansea ($19 million). Another young English/Welsh player, James is coming off a season where he scored only 5 total goals and added 10 assists, but he has serious ball control and playmaking. He is part of Solskjaer's plan to build the team through domestic talent. Another English player United added is Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace ( $62 million). This was a fantastic move by United; Wan-Bissaka was a big part of Palace's attacking scheme last season, but he is incredible in defense as well. He will be the ideal replacement for Ashley Young. They really shelled out the money for Harry Maguire from Leicester ($99 million). Maguire played a massive role in England's World Cup run last summer and was a stalwart in Leicester's defense the two seasons. He couldn't come at a much better time for United, who needed to fix the holes in their backline. It looks like Victor Lindelor and Maguire will lock down defense.

6) Atletico Madrid: Felix, Herrera, Trippier, Felipe, Llorente
Atletico had a busy summer transfer window, as they signed seven new players and received seven back from loans across various clubs and leagues. However, I find that these five are the most impactful. The first major name they signed was Portuguese phenom Joao Felix from Benfica ($143 million). A record-breaking signing for the Rojoblancos, Felix was hyped up considerably after he netted 20 goals in 43 appearances for Benfica between Liga NOS and Europa League and earning a call-up to the Portuguese National Team on their way to winning the first Nation's League trophy. He is a versatile winger and can serve as the perfect replacement for Antoine Griezmman. Expect to see him out at right-wing or at striker with Diego Costa. Another player coming from a Portugese club is Hector Herrera from Porto (free transfer), and he will fill the void in defensive midfield following Rodri's move to Manchester City. Herrera will likely partner up with Saul. Also in midfield comes Marcos Llorente, the out-of-favor midfield prospect from the crosstown rivals of Real Madrid ($34 million). He might not see a lot of playing time initially but the 24-year old Spaniard will have the chance to lock down a spot in the first team and will probably come off the bench for Herrera or Saul. In the defensive end, Atletico added English RB Kieran Trippier from Tottenham ($25 million) and Brazilian CB Felipe also from Porto ($22 million). After losing Diego Godin to Inter Milan and Juanfran to age, Trippier and Felipe will serve as ideal replacements for a new-look Atletico defense. Though it is substantially weaker than last season, they gain two solid defenders that were crucial in their former clubs' excellence: Trippier helped Tottenham reach the Champions League final; Felipe helped Porto reach second place in Liga NOS. Atletico is gearing up to compete with Barcelona for domestic competitions, but it seems they are still more fixated on winning the Champions League. Diego Simeone has a lot of expectations to meet if he wants to keep his job.

7) Manchester City: Rodri, Joao Cancelo, Steffen
A relatively quiet transfer window for the best club currently in England, City only added some depth rather than looked to get much better. Yet, even these subtle signing could separate the gap between them, closest-rivals Liverpool and Manchester United, and the rest of the table. The biggest signing was Rodri from Atletico Madrid ($79 million), joining the growing number of Spanish-speaking players on the City roster. Rodri is a great holding midfield, and Pep Guardiola says the Spaniard fits his ideal description of a holding midfielder. Rodri will likely be the replacement for Fernandinho in defensive midfield, as he is younger and quicker than the Brazilian veteran. The next big name that joined City was Portuguese right-back Joao Cancelo from Juventus (swap deal with Danilo plus $74 million). After spending one season in Italy, Cancelo agreed to make the switch to England a swap deal for Brazilian RB Danilo. With Kyle Walker beginning to age out, Pep is making sure he has depth in youth and Cancelo is a perfect replacement for Englishman Walker. Cancelo has great attacking overlapping and can be reliable in defense. He isn't a standout player, but solid enough to keep the right side of the pitch locked down. One of the smaller signings for City was American GK Zach Steffens from the Columbus Crew ($9 million). American soccer fans marveled at the fact that another young American talent was finding themselves on a big European club, especially one as good as City. Though he will spend next season on loan in the Bundesliga, Steffens is opening the door for more American players with this move to City.

8) Bayern Munich: Coutinho, Perisic, Hernandez, Pavard
The reigning champions of the Bundesliga, Bayern addressed the departures of key players like Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben by going out and signing two attackers, while also adding to their defensive depth. First came a deal for Croatian winger Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan (loan). Perisic played a big part in the Croatian National Team's run to the World Cup last summer, only falling to France in the final. After spending 5 seasons in Milan, the 30-year-old winger comes to Bayern as the replacement for Ribery. He will be great for setting up Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Mueller with his crossing and passing, while also chipping in a few goals. Though he is toward the end of prime, Perisic gives Bayern a solid winger presence that is difficult to defend against. The next big addition in the attacking third is Brazilian winger Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona (loan). In wake of Antonie Griezmann's move to Barca and amid Neymar's return to Catalonia, Coutinho found himself the odd man out in Spain. However, this is a great move for Bayern, as Coutinho serves as the replacement for James Rodriguez and Arjen Robben. The Brazilian has great ball control and a fantastic scoring touch that will give Bayern a big boost in attack. Don't let his numbers fool you; he is still the player he was at Liverpool and his first season in Barcelona. It will be exciting to watch Coutinho play in Munich. In defense, the German giants bought French LB Lucas Hernandez from Atletico Madrid ($91 million) and French RB Benjamin Pavard from Stuttgart. Hernandez arrives after falling out of favor in Madrid, but he will most likely serve as Joshua Kimmich's backup. Pavard is another nice defensive piece, but he is probably best remembered for his insane volley goal against Argentina in the World Cup. 

9) Dortmund: Hummels, Brandt, Hazard

10) PSG: Icardi

11) Inter Milan: Lukaku, Godin