This summer transfer window presented yet another opportunity to many top clubs around the world to flex their financial muscles, clasping players and refining their squads for the season ahead.
Herculean moves may have deals have been struck while club and world transfer records have been shattered. Some players were sent packing for measly amounts while others were involved in free deals. Take Mario Balotelli’s move to French Ligue 1 side Nice for example.
13 clubs in the Premier League – the largest spender in the market this summer, with total expenditure rising over £1 billion – broke their transfer records with mammoth bids for their targets.
Here, I look at the most interesting deals – not exactly the most expensive will be seen in this list – that caught the eyes of club fans, those that sent the social media world into frenzy and those that created the best memes as well.
Not in any particular order:
- Paul Pogba
When Manchester United registered interest in re-signing the Frenchman from Juventus this summer, the world braced itself for potentially a world record breaking deal. Negotiations took so long; news about the deal seemed to bore even the keenest fans. After weeks of discussions and email exchanges, a final conclusion and a staggering £89 million was agreed between the two clubs. Allowed to leave Old Trafford in 2012 after failing to win over legendary manager Alex Ferguson, the rangy 23-year-old midfielder with the dazzling haircuts and blistering shot returned as one of the biggest names in the game. Pogba arrived at Carrington with customized hash tag “#Pogback”, as United began to believe their darkest are indeed behind them.
- Gonzalo Higuan
Wait. Before you think this is the most expensive order, think of how the Napoli fans reacted to Higuan’s sale, and you would quickly assert to the fact that this deal actually belongs to the top of the most interesting deals’ list. The former Real Madrid striker had enjoyed a good relationship with the fans of Napoli until his personal relationship with club owner Aurelio De Laurentiis went sore. The Argentine pushed through for a move away from Naples after Juventus made a bid of more than £75 million for his services. Having arrived at Juventus, Higuan pleaded not guilty for purported offenses. Still, his shirts were bent with some seen in videos, trying to flash them down the toilet. Hey, Higuan, you won’t be forgiven by this bunch!
- ZLATAN Ibrahimovic
In what was a final press conference as a PSG player, Ibrahimovic quipped, “I came like a king, left like a legend.” He had indeed proved his worth at the capital of France after palmy spells in Holland, Italy and Spain. His next move was one for all to guess. He kept us waiting although at a point, all pointed to a reunion with former boss Jose Mourinho. After the confirmation of the move, he quickly got off the mark with a goal on his friendly, Premier League and Old Trafford debuts. The legend lives on.
- Sadio Mane
Liverpool believed again; there was a fresh breath of air at Anfield; a new dawn for the Reds after Jurgen Klopp was signed on in 2015. Up next, quality players need to arrive to return this once gargantuan club to the upper echelons of European football. His first appearance came in a game against a Lionel Messi-led Barcelona, and Mane not just by scoring, was by far Liverpool’s livewire in a 4-0 victory. The former Southampton forward looked blisteringly sharp on the right, in his first Premier League game for the Reds against Arsenal, helping them to a 4-3 famous win at the Emirates. Suddenly, Liverpool has landed their African Messi; the game changer they’ve missed since the days of Luis Suarez.
- Mario Balotelli
His entry into this list might spark a little controversy, but he deserves it, after all he is Balotelli. Why always him? The Italian forward had always been involved in arguments with managers, crossed hairs with teammates and been arrested by local authorities for diverse reasons. Now as his form de-escalated rapidly at AC Milan before his return to the Premier League, his cocky attitude took a journey in the opposite direction. A calmed figure but truth is Team-mates will always back you if you show the willing to turn it around, if you there are signs of petulance the support will dwindle. He finally landed a deal to Nice that knocked up social media memes – but he would care less, aims of re-launching a stalled career.
- Shkodran Mustafi
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger moved to address longstanding concerns about the lack of bite in his team’s midfield by sanctioning a big-money move for Switzerland international Xhaka. The early business signaled a change in direction by the Gunners in the transfer market, apparently, it wasn’t. Arsenal fans anticipated a busy market for the club but Wenger had other ideas. Fast forward several weeks after, Arsenal were still without a second signing until a double deal involving Shkodran Mustafi and Deportivo forward Lucas Perez.
By Thierry Nyann|3news.com|Ghana
Twitter: @3Newsgh
