While the pandemic has forced many clubs to reimburse their spending, the 2021/22 summer transfer window has still witnessed some incredible offers.
Club legends have continued, young customers have been sold for eye-catching sums and there have also been plenty of bargains.
Here are 20 of the absolute best transfers … so far.
Ramos has left Real after many years / James Williamson – AMA / Getty Images
Paris Saint-Germain have still not won the Champions League. Sergio Ramos has won four.
It is a bit simplistic to say that PSG have only signed him for their European record but that would have been a big factor in their thinking.
His legs may not be what they once were, but that’s a hell of a statement.
Olise joins an exciting young group at Selhurst Park / Catherine Ivill / Getty Images
Even though he was only 19 years old, Michael Olise was one of the championship’s brightest lights last season. The flying winger managed seven goals and also put on 12 assists.
He has an extremely bright future and joins an exciting young Crystal Palace group in the middle of a rebuild.
Garcia could be at the heart of Barcelona’s defense for many years to come / LLUIS GENE / Getty Images
We did not see the best of Eric Garcia during his time in Manchester City but it is clear that he has the potential to reach the top.
Both Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique are big fans, which makes Barcelona sign him on a free all the more impressive.
Calhanoglu made a surprise between the city / Jonathan Moscrop / Getty Images
Hakan Calhanoglu signed for Inter surprised a lot of people. Not only had he crossed the gap between Derby della Madonnina, the Nerazzurri would also cut their own costs when they announced their arrival at a salary of around € 5 million a year.
Even if the circumstances were a bit strange, Inter will be happy to have an exciting player without a transfer fee.
Konate adds much-needed strength deep to Liverpool defense / Cathrin Mueller / Getty Images
It is unlikely that Liverpool will experience an injury crisis of the same proportion as last season this time.
Still, the addition of Ibrahima Konate is a welcome addition. Signed by RB Leipzig long before other clubs got his business, he could cope with Liverpool’s high line without too many problems.
Buendia is a very smart signing / Malcolm Couzens / Getty Images
Aston Villa is one of a long list of Premier League clubs striving to reach the top six. Signing Emiliano Buendia – albeit for a hefty fee – can be an important step on that journey.
Poorly creative in possession, he is also an underestimated presence defensively. He fits perfectly into Dean Smith’s well-oiled outfit.
De Paul won the Copa America this summer / Gustavo Pagano / Getty Images
Rodrigo de Paul has been a name that floats around the rumor mill for several years.
Atletico Madrid have finally saved the money needed to praise him away from Udinese as they look to defend their La Liga title this season. De Paul has many strengths in his game and if he can adapt to Diego Simeone’s defensive demands, he should fit in well.
Harrison has finally signed for Leeds Permanent / Pool / Getty Images
Jack Harrison has been one of the most important cogs in Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United revolution over the past three seasons.
The 2020/21 campaign was his best so far with the diligent midfielder registering eight goals and eight assists. His permanent signing may have gone relatively unnoticed past Elland Road, but Leeds will be happy to have it over the line.
Soumare is perfectly placed to replace Youri Tielemans if he resigns / Tony Marshall / Getty Images
One of the main reasons for Leicester’s recent success has been their ability to replace their key players without missing a beat.
They may have just done it again by signing Boubakary Soumare. The former Lille man seems to be the perfect replacement for Youri Tielemans if he resigns in the not so distant future.
Barcelona has been chasing Depay for a while / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
After missing him last summer, Barcelona have finally signed Memphis Depay. He joins Blaugrana on the back of his best season ever for Lyon and thanks to his contract expiring, he has not cost them a penny.
If Barça can find a way to suit him in their system, they can come to a real winner. Then they have to register him first …
Signing Daka can pay a lot for Leicester / Tony Marshall / Getty Images
Leicester rarely slip into the transfer market, but even with their own high standards, their deal to sign Patson Daka can be inspired.
Daka is the latest player to come out of the talent factory in RB Salzburg and he is almost as exciting as Erling Haaland. He has scored 51 league goals in the last two seasons, is a terrifying athlete and is nowhere near the top of his strengths.
Can we look at the heir to Jamie Vardy’s throne?
Spurs have a Hugo Lloris successor in Gollini / Marco Luzzani / Getty Images
Finding a successor to the remarkably reliable Hugo Lloris has been in the back of Tottenham’s mind for some time. Instead of waiting until the Frenchman gets even older, they may have found his replacement a few years early.
Pierluigi Gollini has been Atalanta’s starting guard for some time and although he has rarely received much help from his defense, he has played well.
He comes on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season – the perfect offer for Spurs needs.
Maignan did not wait to replace Donnarumma / Claudio Villa / Getty Images
Replacing Gianluigi Donnarumma would always be an almost impossible task. Milan have handled things quite well, and did not wait long after Lille shock in the Ligue 1 title to get Mike Maignan.
Maignan was on average the second best saving percentage in the division last semester, as well as the cleanest sheets. He’s still only 26 as well.
Liverpool may regret not offering Wijnaldum the money he wanted / Pool / Getty Images
The full effect of Georginio Wijnaldum’s departure from Liverpool does not take long to notice. The Dutchman has been close to ever being present in Red’s biggest team in the Premier League era and has been knitting things in midfield.
Jurgen Klopp was desperate to keep him and the Dutchman will probably make Liverpool regret leaving this season. In France, he should be given more licenses to strive forward, which is a very exciting perspective.
Hakimi is a world-class right-back / Fran Santiago / Getty Images
Achraf Hakimi is probably the best attacking right-back on the planet. Last season, he scored seven goals and ten assists to help Inter get a scudetto.
But when Nerazzuri’s financial problems became widely known, PSG smelled blood and swept in to sign the defender. The right-back has been one of Paris’ less exciting positions in recent years and it is about to change in a big way.
Alaba did not cost Real a penny / Pool / Getty Images
Testing positively for coronavirus before he has even kicked a ball is a blow, but David Alaba still looks to be a hit at Real Madrid.
After the departures between Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, Los Blancos looked thin on the star quality on the back. Thank goodness for Alaba’s arrival then. He will provide experience and peace of mind in the defense and his versatility can also prove crucial.
Silva scored more Bundesliga goals than Erling Haaland last season / Octavio Passos / Getty Images
Andre Silva’s incredible goal scoring skills slipped under the radar slightly last season. Overall, he managed 28 Bundesliga goals for Eintracht Frankfurt, a match only improved by Robert Lewandowski.
However, he does not just take goals for RB Leipzig. The Portuguese international is also working tirelessly and recorded a career as the top eight assistants last season.
Sancho is finally a United player / Pool / Getty Images
Finally, Jadon Sancho is a Manchester United player. Signing him may have required the most tedious transfer story in recent memory, but all efforts are likely to be worthwhile in the end.
Sancho is one of the biggest signings United have made in the last decade and he can easily become an icon at Old Trafford.
Varane was able to sign which pushed United to the next level / Denis Doyle / Getty Images
Ever since United released a world record fee for Harry Maguire in 2019, a debate has erupted about who he should collaborate with.
Finally, the Red Devils seemed to have found the perfect solution in Varane. Blessed with an evil pace, he should complement Maguire perfectly. The fact that he costs such a modest fee is another big plus.
Donnarumma is a punishment-saving king / GES-Sportfoto / Getty Images
Paris Saint-Germain’s transfer strategy has not always been the most successful, but they deserve credit for having tied up the best young goalkeeper in the world for five years without even having to pay a fee.
Keylor Navas has been doing pretty well lately, but Donnarumma is definitely an improvement. Combined with their other deals, PSG will be a force to be reckoned with in the Champions League this season.
