Another summer transfer window has gone by with plenty of money spent, hopefully wisely. Manchester City have three signings in the top 12, Liverpool and Manchester United with two each, followed by Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Wolfsburg and PSG with one each.
Barcelona missed the cut, as their most expensive signing was Arda Turan from Atletico, joining for €32.3 million. Juventus made the most expensive signing in the Serie A, adding Paulo Dybala from Palermo for €30.4 million.
Jackson Martinez, Porto to Atletico Madrid
After three fantastic seasons with Porto, the Colombian striker moves on to hopefully bigger and better, signed by Atletico Madrid for £24.5 million, or €33 million according to reports. He scored 92 goals in 132 matches for Porto, winning one championship in Portugal and was the top scorer in the Primeira Liga three times.
Mateo Kovačić, Inter to Real Madrid
Tied with Martinez for the most expensive La Liga signing this summer (unless the David de Gea thing somehow works out), Kovačić was signed from Inter Milan for £24.5 million, or €33 million. The 21-year old Croatian has been with Inter for three seasons before making the surprising move, and has 21 caps for the national side.
Morgan Schneiderlin, Southampton to Manchester United
Manchester United signed the 25-year old French midfielder from Southampton for £24.5 million, after the French international spent seven seasons with the Saints, helping them rise from the depths of League One to the upper half of the Premier League table. He was denied a move to Arsenal last year, but couldn’t be held back this summer, becoming the next in the long list of lineup players for Southampton to move up the food chain.
Julian Draxler, Schalke to Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg didn’t wait long after selling Kevin de Bruyne (we’ll get to that one soon) to replace the Belgian midfielder, going after one of Germany’s brightest young stars. The 21-year old Draxler was signed for €34.25 from Schalke. About a month ago he had already agreed to join Juventus, but their €15 million bid was rejected by the club.
Arturo Vidal, Juventus to Bayern Munich
After four years and four championships with Juventus, Vidal has finally been let go after a lot of other clubs have tried to sign him in the previous two summers. Bayern spent €35.2 million on the Chilean midfielder.
Roberto Firmino, Hoffenheim to Liverpool
Liverpool spent £28.7 million on the 23-year old Brazilian from Hoffenheim, who has been one of the most productive players in the Bundesliga over the last two years in terms of goals & assists, scoring 23 goals and adding 22 assists in the previous two seasons.
Nicolás Otamendi, Valencia to Manchester City
After just one season with Valencia, Otamendi makes the move to the Premier League, signing with Manchester City. The 27-year old Argentine centre back was signed for £31.22 million, scoring six goals in 35 league matches for Valencia last season, helping them get back into the Champions League.
Christian Benteke, Aston Villa to Liverpool
After a very successful three season spell at Villa Park, including 49 goals in 100 appearances, Benteke moves to Anfield for £32.5 million, more than four times what Villa spent on him when they signed him from Genk in 2012.
Anthony Martial, Monaco to Manchester United
THE surprise move of the transfer window, as striker-hungry Manchester United spend £36 million on a 19-year old French striker who has 11 league goals in 52 matches to show off with. The fee can rise by £20 million more if certain clauses and milestones are reached.
Raheem Sterling, Liverpool to Manchester City
The most headline-making transfer saga of the summer took some time to be completed, but eventually ended the way they always do: The rich club gets its hand on the player they want. Sterling, still not even 21, was signed for £43.75 million in a deal that can rise to £49 million with extra fees.
Angel di Maria, Manchester United to PSG
After one rather hellish season at Manchester United, Angel di Maria moves on to Paris and Saint-Germain, signing him for €59.94 million, about a €20 million loss for Manchester United compared to what they signed him for. This marks the third club in 13 months for the Argentine international, who until last season was easily regarded as one of the best players in the world.
Kevin de Bruyne, Wolfsburg to Manchester City
Two years after Chelsea sold him to Wolfsburg, the Belgian star once again leaves the Bundesliga in hope of finding a place with one of the best clubs in England. He’s the most expensive signing of this summer, costing £52.5 million after winning the Bundesliga player of the year award last season.