Top Seven European Clubs Summer Signings 2021/2022 Season – Expectations
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has been huge in world football which has seen clubs across Europe cut transfer budgets significantly. According to FIFA, European clubs have spent close to €1.5 billion less than they did in the summer of 2019.
Deloitte has also reported a 50% drop-in transfer activity; however, there are still plenty of major transfers, swaps and free transfers expected to change the dynamics of football in the 2021/2022 season.
The summer transfer window will soon shut with teams having strengthened their sides ready for the upcoming season. Billions have not been spent; most teams have added two or three players to their sides. PSG is by far the biggest beneficiary of the 2021/2022 summer transfer window. Go to Mighty Tips to get more transfer news and updates.
Here is a breakdown of our top seven transfers in terms of transfer fees and expected impact.
Lionel Messi
There is no bigger news in world football than Lionel Messi ending his stay at Barcelona. The six-times Ballon d’Or winner signed a two-year contract worth £25m per year with PSG. Initial reports had indicated that Lionel Messi had agreed to sign a new 5-year contract at Barcelona. The deal fell apart after La Liga Financial Fair Play Rule failed to give Barcelona the green light to sign a new contract with Messi.
Arguably the world’s best player still has a lot to offer for the French giants. The UEFA cup title that has eluded PSG for years looks as if this is their season. PSG also added Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Gini Wijnaldum and Hakimi.
Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish moved from Aston Villa to Man City in a deal worth $139m is another top signing. The midfielder’s exit from Aston Villa gives him a chance to play for his childhood club. However, Villa has invested some of the money received from the sale of Grealish on Danny Ings, Emi Buendia, Leon Baily, with more signings expected before the end of the season.
Adding the former Aston Villa midfielder to their ranks will give the defense a chance to defend their title. There is talk that Pep Guardiola is looking to add a new striker to replace the departed Sergio Aguero.
Jadon Sancho
Jadon Sancho’s move from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United was expected. The two clubs have agreed on a fee of $101 million. Having secured the English signature at the 17 for $8.7 million, Dortmund has again proved to be the king of scouting.
The Red Devils already have several exciting young talents and adding Sancho to their rank is a big statement to their rivals. Solskjaer’s side finished second to Manchester City last season with 12 points difference. The addition of Jordon Sancho and Rafael Veran will sure give Manchester United a chance to fight for the league title.
Romelu Lukaku
Lukaku left Chelsea to Everton in 2014 and has re-signed for Chelsea as a different player. Inter Milan and Chelsea have agreed to a $97.5 million transfer fee on a five-year contract worth $200,000 a week.
The Belgian international has been blistering for his club and country, scoring 87 goals in 166 appearances for Everton and 42 goals in 96 appearances for Manchester United. Lukaku now stands as the most expensive player with a combined fee of $308.5 million. Last season, the Blues’ biggest problem was scoring goals; they have found the solution if statistics are anything to go by.
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Apart from Lionel Messi, Donnarumma is one of the signings of the season. Donnarumma is 22 and is the best young goalkeeper in the world. AC Milan tried its best to offer the young goalkeeper a contract without success.
Although many have questioned the rationale of PSG signing the young goalkeeper, considering they have a world-class goalkeeper in Keylor Navas. Sources have told ESPN that PSG could let Donnarumma to AC Milan on loan, but that is yet to be confirmed. Whether Donnarumma chooses to stay at PSG or return to his previous club, the French club is assured of up to eight years of service from the young goalkeeper.
Sergio Ramos
The Spanish defender is 35 with vast experience of playing top-level football. His contract at Real Madrid ended last season, and many top teams, including Manchester United, offered him a contract. Real Madrid was willing to give Ramos an additional one-year contract, but its PSG offered him a better contract of two years.
Sergio Ramos will play alongside his long-time rival Lionel Messi. His quality and experience will help PSG win the long-awaited UEFA cup.
Dayot Upamecano
When Bayern Munich paid a $51 million release clause, there is nothing much RB Leipzig could do to prevent their star defending from leaving. At 22, Upamacano has grown to become one of the best defenders in Europe. With the departure of Kevin Prince Boateng, the German giants needed a reliable addition to their side.
Julian Nagelsmann, the Bayern Munich coach, has been with Upamacano for the past three seasons, and so he understands all his strengths and weaknesses.
Other player transfers worth mentioning include;
- Sergio Aguero to Barcelona (free transfer)
- Gini Wijnaldum to PSG (free transfer)
- Rodrigo De Paul to Atletico Madrid ($35 million)
- Ben White to Arsenal ($50 million)
- Achraf Hakimi to PSG ($82 million)
- Memphis Depay to Barcelona (free)
