‘Top 7’ Transfer Roundup
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. This seasons transfer window is just getting underway, and there are already plenty of notable signings and moves. We Are Hooligans will provide a bi-weekly edition of transfer roundups this summer.
Well, it’s that time again. Clubs and managers are getting together in dimly-lit rooms to see where they can spend some cash and improve for next season. The highly anticipated Antoine Griezmann blockbuster move to United will not happen as the Frenchman has agreed to a new long-term contract with Atletico.
The only other headline/blockbuster transfer rumor was a similar move to United by Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale. It was only speculation, and as Bale’s only mentioned terms were that United qualify for the Champions League, the move is still a possibility. However, United have reportedly made progress with bolstering their attacking depth by agreeing to terms in principle with Madrid striker Alvaro Morata.
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One transfer that Manchester United can feel good about is the addition of Benfica’s Victor Lindelof. The Red Devils first official signing of the summer is a necessary improvement to the back four. The club paid $35 million for the Swedish defender who was among the top-rated available defenseman on the market. He was purchased for half the asking price of the current top-rated available defender Virgil van Dijk of Southampton.
The star center-back is drawing interest from all over the league, most recently with the strange proceedings of a transfer to Liverpool. Since the incident, the Merseyside club have withdrawn their pursuit of the Dutchman. Manchester City are reportedly the only club willing and able to provide the world-record $80 million asking price for van Dijk, but it seems he will stay with the Saints for at least next term.
Speaking of the Citizens, Pep Guardiola and the directors at the Etihad have had a pretty busy summer thus far. They have broken the world-record fee for goalkeepers with the addition of Brazilian net minder Ederson Moraes, a reported $40 million deal. City also improved their midfield depth by adding former Monaco man Bernardo Silva.
In London, their hasn’t been much activity. Chelsea are continuing the hunt for formidable attacking options after news broke that Diego Costa is not in Antonio Conte’s plans for next season. They are interested in Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, however it looks that the Belgian will stay at Goodison Park after the club slapped an insane transfer fee of $100 million on his head.
Arsenal have been very quiet so far this term, apart from trying to coax French starlet Kylian Mbappe to the Emirates. Wenger and the Gunners need to focus on keeping their core playmakers Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. Alexis has been linked with a potential move to Bayern Munich or Manchester City.
As White Hart Lane falls silent as it is taken out of commission for next season, the transfer market for Tottenham thus far has been similarly quiet. Apart from a potential move to Manchester for wingback Kyle Walker, the Spurs seem content with their current core group of young players.
Liverpool are recovering from a blunder with the van Dijk signing, and other than that are flying under the radar. The Reds are in need of adding defensive depth, as so many Premier League sides are.
Next: Chelsea face attacking dilemma
Stay tuned for a bi-weekly update on transfers.