Finally, the transfer window has shut. And with that, all of us might have our list of yays and nays when it comes to transfers.
While Madrid fans will be ecstatic with the arrival of France sensation Kylian Mbappe and Brazilian wonderkid Endrick, Chelsea are seriously having a headache as to what to do with a squad boasting of 43 players. 43 effing players. Shocking right?
The summer of 2024 has been an eventful one for the football world. While there are way too many arrivals (pun intended) there are few players who have to depart to a different club in search of 💰 or more playing time.
In this article, we will be looking at the top 15 summer transfers that have taken place in the football world in 2024.
Top 15 football summer transfers of 2024
Julian Alvarez (Manchester City to Atletico Madrid)
Argentina’s Julian Alvarez, who played second fiddle to Erling Haaland during his time at Manchester City; wanted to have more playing time. And this season, the midfielder received a bid from Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid who are going through a transition phase.
With a dismal performance coming from Simeone’s squad last season, it was high time they looked for a striker who could land them goals (in dozens). And Alvarez seemed to be a perfect fit. Atletico Madrid announced the arrival of Alvarez from Manchester City in a deal worth £82m (€95m).
Conor Gallagher (Chelsea to Atletico Madrid)
Enzo Maresca’s arrival at Chelsea meant trouble for many. Ex-Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher was one of the many players leaving Stamford Bridge. The Blues midfielder found a new home at 2020-21 La Liga champions Atletico Madrid.
Atlético Madrid completed the signing of midfielder Conor Gallagher from Chelsea in a deal worth around €40 million ($44m). With this signing, Atletico has strengthened their midfield comprising Koke, Rodrigo de Paul, Thomas Lemar, and Marcos Llorente.
Leny Yoro (Lille to Manchester United)
Manchester United had a busy summer. After securing the services of Joshua Zirkzee, the Red Devils beat Spanish giants Real Madrid to get France’s Leny Yoro to Old Trafford.
The center-back moved to the Red Devils in a deal worth £52m plus add-ons. This might seem a very big amount considering the youngster’s age. However, the French center-back is being considered as one of the best teenagers in the football world.
Kylian Mbappe (PSG to Real Madrid)
One of the most anticipated transfers of this season finally happened after a lot of controversy. Kylian Mbappe followed his idol’s footsteps (no points for the right guesses). The 2018 World Cup winner joined 2023-24 UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Mbappé, 25, signed a five-year contract at the club after leaving Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. Madrid president Florentina Perez had been seeking the France captain’s signature since the 2018 FIFA World Cup; the first time Mbappe broke on the international stage. But things couldn’t materialize somehow.
However, now that he has joined his dream club, will the Frenchmen be able to emulate his idol’s success at the club?
Endrick (Palmeiras to Real Madrid)
Real Madrid needs to be credited for their smart transfer business. After getting Kylian Mbappe at the club, the La Liga giants decided to bring Brazilian wonderkid Endrick to Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid agreed a deal to sign forward Endrick from Palmeiras in December 2022, but the prospect could not formally join the club until his 18th birthday on July 21, 2024.
Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig to Barcelona)
After helping his country lift the Euro 2024 trophy, Dani Olmo has decided to join the boyhood club, Barcelona. The Catalans who had shown interest in the La Masia graduate finally secured the player this transfer season.
The La Liga giants have reportedly sent an offer worth €62 million (£53 million) with a €55 million (£47 million) initial fee and €7 million (£6 million) in add-ons. The midfielder has agreed to sign a six-year contract with Barcelona.
Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth to Tottenham Hotspurs)
Seems like Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich has seriously affected Tottenham. The perennial underachievers of the Premier League have failed to convert their attacks into goals. The failure of Richarlison and the constant injury problems of Heung Min Son have put additional pressure on the club.
The North London club has decided to fill the void of a consistent striker by bringing Bournemouth’s goal-scoring machine Dominic Solanke to the club. As per the deal, Solanke cost a total of £65m for the Spurs. The deal will see Spurs pay an initial £55m with £10m possible to follow in bonuses.
Pedro Neto (Wolves to Chelsea)
Chelsea are going berserk at the transfer window this season. Could you believe they have a squad boasting a total of 9 goalkeepers? Wonder what the football pundits have to say about this!!
After signing a total of 13 players this season, the move of Pedro Neto from Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Blues has met with an amazing response from the fans.
As for the numbers, Pedro Neto has completed his move to Chelsea from Wolves; the Blues will pay £51.4m upfront plus £2.6m in add-ons.
Federico Chiesa (Juventus to Liverpool)
The Arne Slot era at Anfield has begun. After deciding to not do any summer signings (unusual by a club of their standards), Liverpool decided to make a late entry into the transfer window.
Chiesa, the Italian starboy who lit up the Euro 2020 stage with his amazing dribbling skills, decided to make a move into the Premier League. The former Juventus player signed a three-year deal worth €13M; which seems to be a bargain for the 2019-20 Premier League winners.
Manuel Ugarte (PSG to Manchester United)
The lack of powerhouse midfielders has been hurting Manchester United for the past few seasons. Yes, skipper Bruno Fernandes has been holding the fort quite well for the Red Devils. But the need for more players like him is needed at Old Trafford.
And the Red Devils have pinned their hopes on Manuel Ugarte. The Uruguayan international, who plays for Paris St. Germain has arrived at Manchester United. The club shelled out €50 million to secure his services; who was a top target for manager Erik Ten Hag.
Ivan Toney (Brentford to Al-Ahli)
After being linked to a move to Chelsea, Brentford star Ivan Toney has decided to try his luck at the Saudi Pro League. The Englishman has decided to join the Middle East club for a stunning move to Al-Ahli that cost €42M on the deadline day. At Al-Ahli, Toney will earn a staggering £403,000-a-week including bonuses. It means Toney will earn more than 13 times the £36,000-a-week wage he picked up at Brentford.
Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich to Manchester United)
Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United have bolstered their defense with the addition of Matthijs de Ligt. The former Juventus and Bayern Munich player has signed a contract until June 2029, with the option to extend for a further year.
The Netherlands international has signed a deal worth a combined £60 million ($76.6m) including add-ons.
The news will surely boost the hopes of United fans who want to make a return to UEFA Champions League football.
Joao Neves (Benfica to PSG)
After a lot of helter-skelter, Benfica star Joao Neves has confirmed a move to Paris St. Germain.
The young Portuguese player has joined PSG for a five-year deal worth €60 million.
Considered one of the hottest properties in the football world, Neves will surely try his best to win the first-ever Champions League for the Ligue 1 champions.
Michael Olise (Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich)
Looks like last year’s dismal Bundesliga season has made Bayern Munich head back straight to the drawing board and strengthen its squad. To get back to winning ways, the German champions have signed Michael Olise from Crystal Palace.
The Bundesliga side will pay £50.8m (€60m) including add-ons to bring the 22-year-old to the Allianz Arena.
Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid to Chelsea)
After Romelu Lukaku, the only player who can claim to have an amazing agent is Portugal’s Joao Felix. After doing back and forth between Atletico Madrid and Chelsea, the winger has finally decided to move back to Stamford Bridge for a seven-year deal worth €50 million.
Other Notable Mentions:
Jadon Sancho (Manchester United to Chelsea)
Victor Osimhein (Napoli to Galatasaray)
Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa to Juventus)
Mats Hummels (Borrusia Dortmund to AS Roma)
So, that’s it. That’s our list of the top 15 summer transfers in football that we feel might be game-changers this season. Were you satisfied with your club’s transfer strategy this season? Comment down below who you think should be bought and who should be sold at your favourite club.
