The transfer window has been open for over a month now and we’ve seen some major deals completed already. Barcelona have signed three big players on free transfers, taking a leaf right out of Juventus’s book They have however been unable to register any of them as they are currently way over the permitted wage bill in La Liga. Speaking of Juventus, they are still in talks for Locatelli but are not ready to match Sassuolo’s asking price. Atletico Madrid signed Rodrigo de Paul on the back of him helping Atletico to a fifteenth Copa America and Messi to his first-ever. Madrid are yet to sign anyone and are still looking to offload players like Bale and Isco this summer.
Moving over to England, centrebacks have been the main focus for the big teams as they look to strengthen at the back. Liverpool have brought in Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig after going most of last season without a senior centre back available. Arsenal have brought in Ben White from Brighton for a rather heavy fee of £50 million despite having only one season of top-flight football under his belt. In a rather shocking move, Raphael Varane has moved to Manchester United and having to face him and Harry Maguire must be a scary prospect for a lot of teams. United also finally signed Jadon Sancho, a move which places them in serious contention for the Premier League assuming they are able to keep hold of Paul Pogba. Chelsea have been linked to Sevilla’s Jules Kounde in a potential swap deal involving Kurt Zouma but nothing concrete yet. Interestingly, Manchester City seem not to be interested in signing any centre back for the first time in a long time as they seem to be settled on the partnership of Ruben Dias and John Stones. They are however going after Jack Grealish and Harry Kane which would frankly all but guarantee that they retain their Premier League title.
Elsewhere Dortmund have completed the signing of Donyell Malen, Aston Villa signed Emi Buendia from Norwich which is quite fascinating as they were able to pry him away from Arsenal’s hands. Patson Daka has moved to Leicester City from RB Salzburg, a move which could affect Iheanacho’s game time at the club.
By Ifeanyi Achife