10 Xabi Alonso: Real Madrid to Bayern Munich - $8 million
This transfer really surprised us all. Only a few months ago Alonso signed a contract extension with Madrid, leading us to ask the question... what changed? Well, winning the Champions League for one, as well as the arrival of Toni Kroos at Madrid - who happens to play in Alonso’s position. Having won La Liga in 2012, and the Champions League more recently, Alonso has achieved all he can with Los Merengues. Now 32, and approaching the end of his career, a move to Munich simply made more sense for the Spanish international. After retiring from international football, Alonso will look to maximise what time he has left at the top of his game under the guidance of Pep Guardiola’s world-class coaching.
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9. Fernando Torres: Chelsea to AC Milan – 2-year loan deal
Fernando Torres’ time at Chelsea was painfully hit and miss. Depending on who you ask, he’s either a Chelsea legend, or a complete waste of money. Having joined for £50million, much was expected of Torres at Chelsea. Yet, three and a half years, and just 46 goals later, Torres has been let go for free as he attempts to get his career back on track. Torres scored the goal that won the European Championships for Spain back in 2008, now he can’t even get into Del Bosque’s squad. This transfer came out of sheer necessity for Torres; a fresh start, a new style of football, and opportunity to shake off his Chelsea demons. It’s up to him now to show us if the Torres of former days is still in there somewhere.
8. Diego Costa: Atlético Madrid to Chelsea - £32 million
Torres’ replacement at Chelsea came in the form of Diego Costa. The Brazilian-born Spanish international was one of the world’s deadliest strikers last season, and has continued his impressive form during Chelsea’s opening few games. He has scored in all three Chelsea matches so far this season, and already looks to be one of the best signings of the summer. Only 25 years of age, Costa’s contract at Chelsea will see him through to the age of 30, as he looks to add more medals alongside his La Liga triumph last season with Atlético.
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7. Cesc Fàbregas: FC Barcelona to Chelsea - £27 million
As well as buying Costa, Chelsea also signed Spanish international Cesc Fàbregas from under the noses of everyone. Manchester United, who were also in the hunt for a creative midfielder, signed Bilbao’s Ander Herrera for £28.5 million, only for Chelsea to sign Fàbregas for £1.5 million less. Like Costa, Fàbregas has had an impressive start to his Chelsea career, amassing 5 assists already – including one of the greatest passes we’ll see for a long time during his debut against Burnley. Fàbregas struggled with injuries and form during his spell at Barcelona, but is already well on his way towards proving his doubters wrong this season.
6. Alexis Sánchez: FC Barcelona to Arsenal - £35 million
One of the stars of this summer’s World Cup, Chile international Alexis Sánchez was the first major signing of the transfer window. He has already gone some way towards repaying the large fee Arsenal splashed out on him, after scoring the goal that secured Arsenal Champions League football for the coming season (worth around £20 million in television rights). Deemed surplus to requirements by Barcelona - who needed to offload players following a transfer ban – Sánchez chose Arsenal over a move to Turin, with Juventus also after his signature.
5. Radamel Falcao: AS Monaco to Manchester United – 1-year loan deal
In what could be the bargain transfer of the summer, Manchester United completed the shock loan signing of Falcao just hours before the transfer window closed. After failing to secure a dream move to Real Madrid, many assumed Falcao would be on his way to Manchester City – yet he ended up at rivals United instead. Considering that the Colombian signed for Monaco only one year ago for $60 million, getting Falcao on loan for a reported £6 million is a tremendous coup for Manchester United. Despite a difficult last year, many would still name Falcao in their top three strikers in the world, and his arrival at United will certainly fire them towards the top of the Premier League table come the end of the season.
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4. David Luiz: Chelsea to Paris Saint-Germain - £50 million
In a record breaking deal, David Luiz swapped London for Paris, and became the world’s most expensive defender of all time. Luiz will now line up in Paris alongside best friend and Brazil teammate Thiago Silva in PSG’s back four. The fee paid for Luiz was seemingly extortionate, especially given the criticism the Brazil vice-captain came under during the World Cup for some of his absent-minded defending. PSG will get a highly motivated and incredibly gifted technical footballer, but surely there are better ways to spend £50 million when you compare Luiz’ fee with that of a number of other world class players who transferred this summer.
3. Ángel Di María: Real Madrid to Manchester United - £59.7 million
In another record breaking transfer, Ángel Di María became the Premier League’s most expensive signing of all time. The Argentine winger - considered one of the world’s top players – had become disillusioned with life at the Bernabéu, after he was asked by Madrid not to play for his country in the World Cup final due to a minor injury concern. Di María has been handed the famous number seven shirt at United, previously worn by the likes of Eric Cantona, and former Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Nicknamed ‘Fideo’ (Noodle), Di María may struggle with the physicality of English football; however he has proven on countless occasions that he clearly possesses the skill to fool any tough defenders who see him as an easy target.
2. James Rodríguez: AS Monaco to Real Madrid - $80 million
The World Cup golden boot winner signed for Real Madrid after inspiring his nation to the quarter-finals in Brazil this summer. The Colombian became the 5th most expensive signing of all time, signing a six-year deal with the Spanish Giants. A nickname given to Madrid in former years was ‘Galácticos’ - on account of them signing a world superstar every summer. The current Madrid squad isn’t far off regaining the label, with a front free consisting of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and now James Rodríguez. Known more commonly as simply ‘James’, Madrid’s new ‘Galáctico’ will hope to build upon his World Cup form as Real Madrid look to defend their Champions League title, and triumph in La Liga for the first time since 2012.
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1. Luis Suárez: Liverpool to FC Barcelona - $81 million
The most interesting saga of the summer was concluded on July 11th, when Luis Suárez put pen to paper to sign a five-year deal with Barcelona. The deal somehow went through, despite Barcelona being banned from signing any players and Suárez being banned by FIFA from 'all-football-related activity'. Suárez infamously bit his opponent Giorgio Chiellini during a World Cup match this summer, having previously been banned twice for separate biting incidents. Barcelona have reportedly included an ‘anti-bite clause’ into the Uruguayan’s contract as an incentive to dissuade the troubled star from reckless behaviour.
Though famous for the wrong reasons, we can’t overlook the fact that Suárez is undoubtedly a truly sensational footballer. Why else would Barcelona pay $81 million for a player who is banned from playing until October? The thought of him lining up alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar in the Barcelona attack would give sleepless nights to any opposition, and the trio’s first test will come in ‘El Clásico’ when Barça face Real Madrid at the Bernabéu.
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