The transfer window is now shut until January 1st, and teams across have concluded their summer business. Many clubs have made multiple signings that have improved their squads immeasurably for the 2021/22 campaign.
This summer transfer window has been one of the busiest in recent years. Two of the biggest players in world football also moved from their respective clubs.
Cristiano Ronaldo moved back to Man United from Juventus, and Lione Messi has taken on a new challenge in France as he left Barcelona behind and joined Paris St Germain. The two transfers have increased the odds for fans who Bet on Football for the respective teams to win their league titles this season.
With so much activity taking place this summer, who was the standout performer in the transfer market?
PSG
Paris St Germain were the winner of this year’s transfer market. Last season, PSG had one of their most disappointing campaigns in recent years. The former Ligue 1 champions lost the title to Lille, while Man City knocked out the Parisian team in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
In a bid to strengthen their squad to compete on all fronts this season, PSG moved quickly in the transfer market to bring in some of the biggest names in world football. When it was announced that Lionel Messi would leave Barcelona this summer, PSG seemed like one of the only options for the Argentinian superstar. The French giants moved quickly to bring in Messi, and he joined PSG, linking up with former Barca forward Neymar once again.
But PSG completed further business to strengthen their squad. Another La Liga star became available this summer on a free transfer when Sergio Ramos was released by Real Madrid. PSG were able to secure the services of the defensive veteran to bolster Mauricio Pochettino’s options at centre back.
The Ligue 1 club also signed Gigi Wijnaldum from Liverpool for free, adding experience, creativity and dynamism to midfield. However, one of the Ligue 1 clubs’ best signings this summer was 22-year-old wing-back, Achraf Hakimi. The Moroccan defender has become a well-known name in world football after impressive spells at Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan over the past three seasons. PSG purchased the young wing-back for £54 million, and he is certainly a player to look out for this season.
Manchester United
Although they are not winners of the summer transfer window, Manchester United made some excellent signings to bolster their squad this season. After finishing second to rivals Man City by 12 points in the 2020/21 season, United have made a statement of intent by signing some big names this season.
Cristiano Ronaldo looked destined to leave Juventus during this transfer window. The Portuguese forward made it clear early in the window that he was looking to move on from Turin after an impressive three seasons in Serie A. There was only one destination for Ronaldo, his old club Man United.
Ronaldo represented United between 2003 and 2009 and scored 118 goals in nearly 300 appearances for the club. The 36-year-old has shown in recent years that he can reach the same heights as he did for United over a decade ago. Last season, Ronaldo finished as the Serie A top goalscorer with 29 goals throughout the campaign. He is likely to give United that extra edge that saw them miss out on the Premier League last season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær also brought in two players who have impressed on the European stage. Experienced centre back Raphael Varane made over 360 appearances for Real Madrid. The French international will add world-class competition for Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly.
Jadon Sancho also joined the Red Devils after a consistent three years in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund. The 22-year-old scored 50 goals and made 62 assists in nearly 150 appearances for Dortmund. The young English forward is likely to challenge Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Edinson Cavani in the attack.
Real Madrid
Early in the transfer window, Real Madrid were heading for disaster after Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane exited the club. The two central defenders had been the core of Los Balcos’ backline for a generation.
However, the Spanish giants recruited well in the transfer window as they have brought in suitable replacements for outgoing players. Madrid signed former Bayern Munich centre back David Alaba on a free, and they also secured the services of 18-year-old prospect Eduardo Camavinga. Alaba brings nearly a decade of experience from the Bundesliga with him while Camavinga also has Champions League experience with Rennes.
The signings, along with arrivals from previous years, such as Éder Militão, Rodrygo and Reinier show a shift in recruitment policy from Madrid. The La Liga side are now looking to rebuild under an experience of youth, moving away from bringing in world-renowned talent for hundreds of millions.
