The transfer window just concluded for Europe’s major leagues, but who did well and which clubs failed to see through the deals they wanted. Here is a look at the big winners and losers from the summer market. Bet on football here.
Winners
Inter Milan
Inter Milan are serious about ending their decade long wait for a Scudetto and their transfer strategy is proof of their intentions. In Antonio Conte they have a world-class coach and a proven winner with loads of experience both locally and abroad. They have brought in Romelu Lukaku, Diego Godin and Alexis Sanchez amongst others to bolster their squad. In addition, they found a good deal to get rid of troubled striker Mauro Icardi who moved to PSG on the last day of the transfer window. Sounds like a bonus, for a club that has had such a great summer.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid have undergone a refresh that included losing one of their best attackers in Antoine Griezmann. However they appear to have reinvested superbly the €120m paid in by Barcelona for the acquisition of the Frenchman. The departures of Rodri and Lucas Hernandez saw them earn around €300m in transfer fees but they are definitely stronger for the way they have spent it. The acquisition of Joao Felix for €126m, whos is almost a decade younger than Griezmann was a masterstroke. Kieran Trippier and the center-back Marco Hermoso have also been valuable so far for Diego Simeone.
RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig have gone quietly about their transfer activity but they have assembled a top-level squad that can challenge all the way for the Bundesliga title. Julian Nagelsmann is the new man in charge now and to help his cause the club has brought in five major signings to add quality in important areas. Hannes Wolf and Christopher Nkunku are gifted young midfielders, whilst Ademola Lookman has been on loan from Everton and can operate across the front line. Ethan Ampadu and Patrick Schick are also two young exciting prospects and Leipzig may be able to last the course this time around.
Losers
Paris Saint-Germain
From the face of it, PSG might look like a team that have had a good summer since Neymar is still their player and they have even brought in Icardi. However, a deeper look will point to a more systemic problem in modern football where the player’s ego also affect results. Icardi has been known to be a handful at times while Neymar’s is a distraction that Thomas Tuchel is better off without.The focus will now shift to the manager whose season will be defined by how he manages the personalities at his locker room.
Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt played some exhilarating football last season and came close to reaching the Europa League final. A good part of their success was made possible through the brilliance of their front three Luka Jovic, Sebastien Haller and Ante Rebic. Unfortunately none of them will be playing for the side in the new campaign. All three have moved to Real Madrid, West Ham and AC Milan respectively leaving a huge dent in their attacking options. Andre Silva, Bas Dost and Dejan Joveljic have been brought in but it will take time for them to form an understanding.
Roma
Roma managed to capture a few Premier League offcuts over the transfer window and it smacked of a lack of creativity in their transfer strategy. Chris Smalling and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are barely signings for the future considering that both are on a downward spiral and unlikely to recapture past glories. Paulo Fonseca has to make do with hurriedly assembled squad that will surely miss defensive lynchpin Kostas Manolas who joined Juventus.