GOAL US writers evaluate the best and worst moves of the summer transfer window, with deadline day just around the corner
This is usually the bit where everything gets a bit quiet. Transfers require groundwork, months of negotiation, and complicated conversations between various parties to ensure that deals happen. The right ones usually get sorted within a few weeks of a window opening.
These days, deadline day isn't as dramatic as in the past – just panic overpays for players who might not be the right fit. Smart clubs don't buy late.
With that in mind, time to reflect on the transfer window. This is about all sensible stuff – or, at least, the deals clubs really wanted to make. Liverpool have done well, upgrading after winning the title. Spurs have invested heavily. Arsenal might have done enough to push for the league again.
Real Madrid have gone big, while a few Serie A clubs have also been clever. Barcelona, meanwhile, are in another tough spot, with their financial troubles once again curtailing their ability to spend. And there is no shortage of drama – and opportunity – involved in USMNT moves.
Of course, football is played on a pitch, not on social media. But it is rather fun to break down the madness of the transfer season.
GOAL US writers do just that in the latest edition of … The Rondo.
Getty ImagesWho was the best signing of the window?
Tom Hindle: This is tough, because there's a certain football hipster brand to uphold here. But sometimes, it's best to not overcomplicate things. Florian Wirtz to Liverpool is the answer. It's a lot of money, but he's among the best out there and will be a top player for years to come. Odds are, someone of his quality could be double the price before his contract is up, too. Lovely business.
Ryan Tolmich: Maybe not the best signing, but the best bit of business? Liverpool's move for Jeremie Frimpong. After losing Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool snuck a fee out of Madrid and then brought in Frimpong, arguably a better attacking fullback, on the cheap. It's easy to splash big money on good players. It's much harder to bring in quality at the right price. That's what Liverpool did here.
Alex Labidou: How about Juventus getting Jonathan David for free? Strikers are incredibly expensive. Look at Manchester United dropping $88.9 million for Benjamin Sesko. He has incredible potential, but he’s unproven. David has arguably been Ligue 1’s top striker over the past five years – scoring 87 goals in a five-year span. He’s already off to a strong start in Italy, scoring a goal in his debut. A close second is Hugo Ekitike by Liverpool. Wirtz could also be here, but Ekitike has given the Reds some ammo in their negotiations for Alexander Isak. If the former Frankfurt star didn’t get off to a hot start, it would have given Newcastle more leverage. Liverpool doesn’t necessarily need Isak and that’s down to their new arrival.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWho was the worst signing of the window?
TH: Funnily enough, there hasn't been anything catastrophically bad – at least, not on a high level. Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray stings for Napoli, though. The No. 9 could have been worth $100M two years ago, but a mixture of ego and a reluctance to sell saw the value of their prized asset plummet. Also, Osimhen should not be playing in the Turkish league.
RT: Good player, insane money. Bryan Mbeumo, statistically, largely outperformed his numbers last season, and Man Utd paid as if he'd been putting them up for years. At 26, there will be no resale value – and Mbeumo isn't good enough to dig Man Utd out of their hole. Good for Brentford for getting paid on this one but, Man Utd overpaid for a player that doesn't fix the problem.
AL: What were Milan doing this summer? They made multiple head-scratching sales, led by Theo Hernandez to Al Hilal. Yes, the Frenchman was coming off his worst season with the club, but he’s still one of the top three left backs in global soccer. Typically speaking, selling to Middle Eastern clubs shouldn’t be on a bargain level. Milan sold Hernandez for $29.2 million. Why? In terms of incoming players, can anyone explain why West Ham dropped $52 million on Mateus Fernandes? The Hammers appear bound for relegation after a puzzling summer and impatience with several managers.
Getty Images SportWhat signing did you expect to happen, but didn't?
TH: Rodrygo to pretty much anywhere. He looks a player trapped at Real Madrid, full of quality but misused on the right. He has barely sniffed the field under Xabi Alonso, yet the Madrid manager wants him to stay. Get him out so we can selfishly see how good he is!
RT: It technically did happen, but Osimhen. Yes, he moved to Galatasaray, but the Nigerian striker is a big-league talent who was once again unable to get his big-league move. One of the best strikers in the world, Osimhen is far too good for the Turkish league. It's where he ended up, though, as Osimhen and Napoli botched the entire process to get him somewhere bigger.
AL: Isak to Arsenal. The Gunners have been knocking on the door in what feels like forever. Viktor Gyökeres is a shrewd signing, but he doesn’t necessarily fit Mikel Arteta’s style of play. Isak has developed into a world-class game-changer at Newcastle. Gyökeres is not that. Pundits say Arsenal wanted to be smart with their money, but the Kroenke family is among sport's richest owners. If Arsenal finish second again, which is likely, they’ll regret this decision.
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Getty Images SportWhich team most needed an upgrade and failed?
TH: It depends on what you want to upgrade for. But Aston Villa now feel like they're in a state of stasis. Sure, they've been limited by strict profit and sustainability rules, and can't spend big – but that's no one's fault but their own. It's tough to see them qualifying for Europe now.
RT: We know the reason why, but Barca have spent virtually nothing, bringing in Roony Bardghi for cheap, Marcus Rashford on loan and Joan Garcia to compete in goal. The squad, meanwhile, lacks depth defensively and will greatly rely on La Masia starlets to step into roles all over the field. That's OK because that's what they need to do financially. But even so, it could prevent this team from taking that step forward.
AL: There are two that stand out: Tottenham and Barcelona. Tottenham have loads of money, but much like their managerial pursuit, appear to be content to be doing business at the last minute – which will certainly mean spending more than they should have. Barcelona have the opposite problem. The spending cap imposed by PSR and La Liga means they don’t have the resources to go after a game-changer who can elevate them into Champions League contention. Rashford is a nice loan signing, but is he going to push Barca above Real Madrid or PSG? Probably not. Lamine Yamal is arguably the best player in the world, but until they better sort their books, this season could be one of disappointment.