The summer transfer window for 2022 officially opened in Europe on the 1st of July. The window has already featured several transfers with top European clubs busy with ingoings and outgoings as they look to strengthen their squads ahead of the 22/23 season. As a reminder, the 22/23 season across Europe features a break in November for the 2022 world cup in Qatar.

While some fans sit back and enjoy the collaborations between their owners and technical directors, others have resumed their annual protests in a last-ditch attempt to salvage some signings. No doubt, transfers can be complicated by a player’s will, agents’ fees, image rights, pricing, and several other factors. However, while the majority are actively looking to strengthen their squads, it appears others are satisfied with their current squads.

In this article series, we’ll look at some winners and losers of this transfer window.

Fc Barcelona: Contrary to widespread reports about the financial situation and subsequent inability to make transfers, Barca has been the biggest winner of this window so far. Recall that the Catalan giants were dealt a massive financial blow by the pandemic and bank loans they were close to defaulting on.

This summer, however, the club has controversially sold off 25% TV rights for the next 25years and has ridden on the back of the separate Spotify deal to assert itself in the market. The club has signed Raphina from Leeds, Andreas Christensen, and Franck Kessie on free, sealed a new two-year deal with Dembele, and somehow managed to sign Robert Lewandowski from Bayern. Reliable sources have now also reported a complete agreement with Jules Kounde of Sevilla.

While there are rumours of deferred wages of up to €50m for Gerard Pique and €17m for Frankie De Jong, the club has already spent north of €100m and is not looking to stop soon.

Manchester City: Despite having no champions league title or any European silverware of some sort, the noisy neighbours have risen to become a significant force in European football in the last decade. If there’s anything we know about City’s business, it is the swiftness and quietness of their big money transfers.

After sealing a deal worth €21m for Julian Alvarez in January, the Argentine forward was joined by Europe’s most coveted, Erling Haaland, upon triggering his release clause from Borussia Dortmund. While the release clause was €75million, the whole deal potentially rose to €100m when considering sign-on and agent fees. The English champions also acquired Kalvin Philips (€50m) from Leeds after losing club captain, Fernadinho on a free. So far, the club has sold Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus to London clubs, Chelsea and Arsenal, respectively.

FC Bayern: After the current best FIFA men’s player, Robert Lewandowski made his intentions to leave clear to the club, the German club moved swiftly to replace the striker. Bayern signed Sadio Mane from Liverpool in a €30m deal, Ryan Gravenberch and Noussair Mazraoui from Ajax for a combined €20m. Recently, the club sealed the signing of Mattias De Ligt from Juventus in a deal that could rise to €80m.

After months of uncertainty on the future of German international Serge Gnabry, the club finalized a four-year contract extension in an improved deal for the winger. Recent reports and club statements have also indicated that the club turned down the chance to sign European mercenary Cristiano Ronaldo as club president; Herbert Hainer was recently quoted saying, “He’s too old for us” in referring to the five times ballon d’or winner.

Esan Feranmi