In Discussion: Which Clubs have had the BEST Transfer Windows?
From teams in transition to teams looking to dethrone their league’s dominant forces, the summer has seen a lot of squad overhauls. Determined on value for money, their squad importance and potential, we’ve picked three European clubs who’s transfer windows stand out in particular.
RB Leipzig
Following their DFB Pokal success, Leipzig have seen a host of important players leave the club. Nkunku, Szoboszlai and Gvardiol headed for the Premier League, and Laimer was lost to Bayern. Andre Silva has gone on loan to Real Sociedad, and Sorloth also joined the Portugese in Spain, joining Villarreal. Former Manchester City player Angelino has also gone on loan to Galatasarary.
As such, Leipzig have done what Leipzig do best, and have secured some of the best talents in Europe. They took full advantage of their partnership with RB Salzburg, picking up striker Benjamin Sesko and midfielder Nicolas Seiwald, filling a Laimer-shaped hole.The midfield was also reinforced with Hoffenheim’s Baumgartner. Their search to replace the goals of Nkunku and co also looks to be successful. The German outfit broke their transfer record to sign Lens forward Lois Openda, who notched 21 goals and 4 assists in Ligue 1 last season.
Josko Gvardiol’s move to Manchester City created need for a left-sided defender. The Croatian has subsequently been replaced by talented PSG defender El Chadaille Bitshiabu. Much like Gvardiol, he looks to be an adept passer of the ball, averaging a passing accuracy of 93% per 90. Their attack and creativity has also been strengthened with the loan arrivals of Fabio Carvalho and Xavi Simons. Simons accrued 27 g/a in the Eredivisie last season, and Carvalho’s talent is certainly not a mystery.
Overall, it would be hard to rate the Germans’ window anything less than a 9/10.
Olympique de Marseille
Last season, the French giants relied heavily on loan deals. As such, the club lost four players at the end of their spells, including Nuno Tavares and Eric Bailly. Payet, Sanchez and Strootman also departed for free. They sold Milik and Radonjic to Juventus and Torino respectively, and Suarez joined Almeria.
With their loan approach, the club decided to sign many of them on a permanent basis. Malinovskyi, Harit and Blanco all joined on permanent deals following successful spells at the club. They also signed Atletico duo Kondogbia and Lodi, Lodi in particular following a solid spell at Nottingham Forest. Kondogbia also provides experience in midfield, especially needed after Strootman’s departure.
In addition to Lodi, Marseille’s exploitation of the English market has been impressive. Aubameyang was picked up on a free following a calamitous spell at Chelsea, but he of course brings experience and quality, returning to the league where he first broke through at Saint Etienne. Iliman Ndiaye was recruited from the Blades following a remarkable Championship campaign. The Senegalese star scored 14 and assisted a further 10. Ismaila Sarr was also recruited from the Championship, who racked up 17 g/a last season.
The Olympians have certainly recruited well this summer. They’ve added goals in cost-effective fashion to a side who scored 22 less than league winners PSG. There is also a really nice balance of youth and experience added, which they would like to extract the best of both worlds from. Overall, I would rate Marseille’s window an 8/10.
AFC Bournemouth
After gaining promotion back to the Premier League following two seasons away, the Cherries finished 15th. They were also taken over during the season by Bill Foley and his partnership Black Knight FC. Since January, they’ve invested heavily in young talent, in relation to what you’d normally expect them to spend in any case. This trend has certainly continued this summer, as they look to progress this season.
They started the summer strong, bringing in Justin Kluivert for just shy of £10m. New manager Iraola likes to utilise width, with wingers moving inside to allow overlapping runs from fullbacks to get them to the byline and create chances. Kluivert’s signing coupled with Hamed Junior Traore and Dango Outtara, the Cherries have plenty of inverting options out wide. These signings also complement the signings of Milos Kerkez and Max Aarons, who provide plenty of tireless running down the flanks, playing more as wing-backs most of the time. This is vital for stretching the opposition back line and creating space.
Iraola also wants his team to be dominant in possession, often using a 4-2-3-1 with a winger coming inside to be a fourth midfielder. They’ve certainly strengthened in midfield, most notably with Bristol City wonderkid Alex Scott. The 19-year-old brings plenty of versatility, able to play deeper or further forward in the midfield. He is an adept driving force, ranking in the 88th and 80th percentile for progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90 (as per fbref.com). Romain Faivre is the perfect option for the winger/midfielder hybrid. A left-footed, right-sided player who excels in his passing and dribbling metrics, ranking in the 93rd percentile and above for pass accuracy, progressive carries and successful take-ons, able to come inside and influence the midfield.
Given their signings and progressive approach, the Cherries look in good stead to push on this season. As such, I would rate Burnley’s window an 8.5/10.
