The summer transfer window is right in the thick of the action at the moment. Crazy money is being thrown about and even crazier deals are happening. If many thought the bulk of the business is already done, then they were mistaken. Most of the transfers occur in the second-half of the window.
Some big names such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, N'Golo Kante, Dani Alves, Sadio Mane and Nani have already switched clubs so far. We can easily expect more A-Listers to move around till the end of August. Here are some of the main completed deals and top transfer rumours from the past week.
Done deals:
1. Mario Gotze: from Bayern Munich to Borussia Dortmund for £20 million
Even the ardent Borussia Dortmund fan would be quietly pleased that Mario Gotze has returned to the club. The Man of the Match in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final was deemed surplus to requirements at Bayern Munich and Dortmund decided to bring back their youth product for a reported fee of £20 million. He left Dortmund to join Bayern in 2013 for a then German record £31.5 million. That move angered many Dortmund fans as Bayern are one of their main rivals. While Gotze won three Bundesliga titles and two German Cups in three seasons with the Bavarian side, he was just a bit-part player for most of the time. His return has not been welcomed openly by many Dortmund fans, but deep down they would be happy that the club's prodigal son has come back.
2. Andre Schurrle: from Wolfsburg to Borussia Dortmund for £25 million
After letting the likes of Mats Hummels, Ilkay Gundogan and Henrikh Mkhitaryan go this summer, there was mild skepticism as to where Borussia Dortmund were heading this season. But Dortmund have made astute signings to offset any negative emotion from fans. After re-signing Mario Gotze from Bayern Munich, Dortmund signed Andre Schurrle from Wolfsburg the very next day for a reported sum of £25 million. It was Schurrle who provided the assist for Gotze to score the winner in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final. If the two can start combining straight away, then Dortmund can have a really good season.
3. Georginio Wijnaldum: from Newcastle to Liverpool for £25 million
Liverpool have signed Georginio Wijnaldum from Newcastle United for £25 million. The attacking midfielder scored 11 goals last season, but couldn't stop Newcastle from being relegated. The Dutchman will add more dynamism to the Liverpool attack. Wijnaldum can shoot with either foot and can feed off the main striker along with possessing a good long-range shot. It seems the Reds and Jurgen Klopp have made a very good signing.
4. Rob Holding: from Bolton to Arsenal for £2 million
When rival clubs are spending around £30 million for every single player, Arsenal fans are baying out for the club to get going in the transfer window. Arsenal actually spent £35 million for midfielder Granit Xhaka earlier in the window, but that hasn't stopped the Gooners from wanting more high-profile names to sign for the club. So, what do Arsenal do? They sign Rob Holding for a mere £2 million from Bolton Wanderers. The 20-year-old defender has potential, but Arsenal fans want established stars. There could be more signings made in the coming weeks by Arsene Wenger.
5. Andre Gomes: from Valencia to Barcelona for £42 million
Barcelona literally swooped in and signed Andre Gomes from Valencia before Real Madrid could complete the deal. The transfer is reportedly worth £42 million. It seemed like the Portuguese midfielder would sign for Real as primary target Paul Pogba is reportedly destined to move to Manchester United. Gomes, 22, was part of the Portugal team that won Euro 2016. He has good experience playing in La Liga as he spent the last two seasons at Valencia. He is also 6'2" tall, so he would provide Barcelona an aerial presence that they lack in numbers.
6. Kolo Toure: from Liverpool to Celtic (Free transfer)
Kolo Toure has signed for Scottish club Celtic on a free after his contract with Liverpool expired earlier in the summer. The Ivorian has signed a one-year deal with the Scottish champions. The centre-back has also reunited with Brendan Rodgers, who signed him for Liverpool in 2013. Toure, 35, brings a wealth of experience to Celtic, who will look to progress far in the UEFA Champions League this season.
7. Ragnar Klavan: from Augsburg to Liverpool for £4.2 million
Liverpool sold two experienced centre-backs in Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure in the last week alone. Now they have bought Ragnar Klavan from German side Augsburg for £4.2 million plus add-ons. The Estonian centre-back is 30 years old and there were many questions raised as to who he is. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has dismissed the claims that Klavan is only a fourth choice central defender. Klopp knows the German league better than anyone and Klavan might have been on his radar for some time.
8. Alvaro Negredo: from Valencia to Middlesbrough on loan
When newly promoted side Middlesbrough can lure a striker of the caliber of Alvaro Negredo, one can easily see the monetary power of the Premier League. Although it is actually a season-long loan deal, it still shows the strength of England's top tier league. According to some reports, the deal can be made permanent next season for £10 million. Middlesbrough also almost signed Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic. The deal collapsed after a failed medical.
9. Guillermo Varela: from Manchester United to Eintracht Frankfurt on loan
Manchester United have loaned out Guillermo Varela to German side Eintracht Frankfurt for the whole season. The right-back signed for the Red Devils in the summer of 2013, but hasn't established himself in the first-team squad. With the likes of Matteo Darmian, Antonio Valencia and teenage prospect Tim Fosu-Mensah apparently ahead in the pecking order, Varela's future may lie away from Old Trafford.
Rumours:
1. Gonzalo Higuain: from Napoli to Juventus?
This is almost a done deal, but nothing has been confirmed yet by either club. Gonzalo Higuain seemed like a genuine target for Arsenal just a week ago, but now it seems Juventus have all but signed the striker. The fee reported is £78 million as per his release clause. But how did the Old Lady get that kind of money? Maybe it has to do with Paul Pogba moving away for a reported world record deal to Manchester United. Then again, neither of the two deals have been confirmed. So, it is effectively still speculation.
2. Mario Gomez: from Fiorentina to Barcelona?
German striker Mario Gomez is supposedly a transfer target for Barcelona. He played for Turkish club Besiktas last season on loan from Italian side Fiorentina. After the recent failed military coup attempt in Turkey, Gomez announced through his Facebook and Twitter accounts that he wouldn't be extending his stay in the country. While Barcelona already have one of the best front three in the history of football, all three of them – Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez – play almost every single game. This left all of them a bit tired towards the end of last season. Gomez, 31, could be a handy substitute striker to ease their burden.
3. Ivan Rakitic: from Barcelona to Juventus?
The arrival of Andre Gomes has reportedly upset Ivan Rakitic's representatives. There were tweets from them claiming that it was time for the Croatian midfielder to go. But Rakitic himself rejected the speculation on his Instagram account. In two years, Rakitic has played a vital part for Barcelona winning two La Liga and Copa del Rey titles alongside one Uefa Champions League, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup. This might be nothing more than just gossip.
4. Javier Mascherano: from Barcelona to Juventus?
Another transfer rumour from the week surrounding Barcelona was that of Javier Mascherano moving away to Juventus. While Juventus has already signed Dani Alves from Barcelona earlier this window, the prospect of Mascherano also heading in the same direction seems unlikely. Ever since he moved to the Catalan club, Mascherano has been an integral part to their extraordinary success. Again, this move most probably won't happen.
5. Romelu Lukaku: from Everton to Chelsea?
Ever since Jose Mourinho was sacked as Chelsea manager in December 2015, the media have linked Romelu Lukaku to return to the club. Not many in the Chelsea hierarchy were happy with Mourinho shipping Lukaku off to Everton as he was seen as one of the brightest talents at the club. But Everton will not let their top-scorer go away easily. Reports suggest that the Merseyside club will demand £75 million in return if they have to sell the Belgian.
6. Simone Zaza: from Juventus to West Ham United?
Many will remember Simone Zaza for the unusual run-up that he took before his missed penalty against Germany in the Euro 2016 quarter-final. That cost Italy the match. But that doesn't seem to have put off West Ham United in trying to get him to the Premier League. Zaza, 25, is not a natural goal-scorer, but he has other attributes which Hammers's boss Slaven Bilic might be interested in.
7. Saido Berahino: from West Brom to Crystal Palace/Stoke City?
Crystal Palace and Stoke City bid around £20 million each for West Brom forward Saido Berahino last week, but the club rejected both the bids. This follows a very acrimonious situation that started last summer when West Brom rejected all bids made by Tottenham. But it is also reported that West Brom are waiting for an improved bid for the England Under-21 forward.
8. Moussa Sissoko: from Newcastle United to Everton/Arsenal/Real Madrid?
Newcastle's relegation has forced their hand and many of their better players are about to leave or have already left the club. Moussa Sissoko could follow Wijnaldum to Merseyside, but to Liverpool's rivals Everton. The midfielder could also head to Arsenal and some reports have linked him with a surprise move to Real Madrid. While Sissoko's ability is not in question, his consistency is. A fee as high as £35 million has been reported to lure him away from Newcastle.
9. Carlos Bacca: from AC Milan to West Ham United/PSG/Napoli?
Carlos Bacca was one of the best strikers a few seasons ago leading Sevilla to back-to-back Uefa Europa League titles in 2014 and 2015. He then moved to AC Milan for the 2015-16 season. Bacca managed to score 18 goals in the Italian Serie A with a struggling Milan side. Now, the likes of West Ham, Paris Saint-Germain and Napoli are interested in signing the Colombian. West Ham co-chairman David Gold also tweeted about Bacca's imminent transfer. He said that a deal with the club has been done and it was now up to the player to agree to the move.
10. Gabriel Jesus: from Palmeiras to Manchester City?
Manchester City are interested in Brazilian teenager Gabriel Jesus. The 19-year-old forward can play upfront or as a winger. The player plays for Brazilian side Palmeiras. He is known for his pace and dribbling ability. City are in need of good attacking players and with age on his side, he could very well be playing under Pep Guardiola for the coming years in the Premier League.
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