On September 1, 2022, the summer transfer window slammed shut. The English Premier League has been a clear outlier in terms of spending, where not only the big four but even newer entrants like Nottingham Forest flexed their financial muscle in the market too.
Manchester United have been the biggest spending club in England, shelling over £200million on players like Antony, Casemiro, and Christian Eriksen among others. In Spain, Barcelona, despite going through a financial crisis, has eclipsed Real Madrid in terms of expenditure, and they are closely followed by Atletico Madrid, who followed their time-honoured frugal approach.
As the new season has already started, while some clubs had clear cut strategies to fix their shortcomings, some indulged in hasty panic buying during the dying moments of the summer transfer window 2022. Let’s take a look at some of the major signings from the day.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Barcelona to Chelsea (£12m)
From the start of the season, it was very clear that Thomas Tuchel was in dire need of a proven striker. Chelsea FC went big on Raheem Sterling, who is not a typical goalscorer but rather a winger who loves to drift wide. Goals have become a scarce commodity at Stamford Bridge and to resolve this issue, they bought in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona at a modest sum of £12m plus Marcos Alonso.
Antony
Ajax to Manchester United (£85m)
Manchester United signed Antony from Ajax at a whopping sum of £85m, in the hope that he will end the goal-scoring woes of the club. With Cristiano Ronaldo already sidelined, and Anthony Martial blowing hot and cold, the arrival of Antony seems an optimistic prospect for the club, and especially Erik ten Hag, who has played an important role in the youngster’s rise in Amsterdam.
Martin Dubravka
Newcastle to Manchester United (£2m loan fee)
David de Gea has been one of the biggest rescue acts for Manchester United in the time of crisis, but his form has been on a gradual decline since the last couple of seasons. Last season, he was one of the most error-prone goalies in the league, and his ball-playing skill – an important trait for a goalkeeper in Erik ten Haag’s system – doesn’t help the club. As a result, Manchester United have bought Martin Dubravka on a season-long loan from Newcastle United and it’ll be interesting to see if he can replace De Gea.
Arthur Melo
Juventus to Liverpool (loan)
Liverpool acquired Arthur Melo on a season-long loan from Juventus at an undisclosed sum. Not many fans are pleased with this signing, but Liverpool desperately needed reinforcement in the midfield. In the absence of Thiago and Naby Keita, as both of them are out due to injury, Liverpool has struggled to assert the kind of authority they have become renowned for.
Daniel James
Leeds to Fulham (loan)
Fulham, the newly promoted side, has gained the service of Daniel James from Leeds United on a season-long loan. James, who made five appearances this season, will join Carlos Vinicius and William as new recruitee at Fulham.
Ainsley Maitland Niles
Arsenal to Southampton (Loan)
Mikel Arteta decided that he won’t need the service of Ainsley Maitland Niles for the rest of the season, and has shipped him to Southampton. Niles will at least get regular game time at Southampton, which seemed highly unlikely at Emirates Stadium.
Sergino Dest
Barcelona to AC Milan (Loan)
Other than Aubameyang, Barcelona also offloaded their full-back Sergino dest to AC Milan with an option of a buy-back clause. AC Milan will have to pay €20 million. if they want to acquire Dest at the end of the season.
Julian Draxler
PSG to Benfica (Loan)
Julian Draxler has struggled to walk into the PSG playing XI of late, and to get more gametime, he has forced a move to Benfica on a season-long loan. To compensate, PSG have bought Carlos Soler from valencia on a five-year deal.
Willian
Free Agent To Fulham
Willian was a free agent for the last season, after his contract with the Brazilian club Corinthians expired. However, he is all set to make his return to the Premier League after signing a one-year deal with Fulham.
Idrissa Gueye
From PSG To Everton (£8m)
Idrissa Gueye will return back to Everton on a two-year deal from the PSG, where he has fallen behind in the pecking order. Gueye played for Everton between 2016 and 2019, making over 100 appearances.
Hector Bellerin
Arsenal to Barcelona (undisclosed)
After shipping Sergino Dest to Italy, Barcelona acquired Hector Bellerin on a free transfer. Bellerin began his career at the youth academy of Barcelona, and the comeback will give a new lease to his career.
