The 2022 summer transfer window has come and gone following three busy months in which clubs moulded their squad into what they needed to achieve their different goals.
The transfer window saw some good squad planning and chaotic signings (looking your way Nottingham Forest). It makes the transfer market one of the most exciting components of this beautiful game.
Some teams shelled out big money to sign big names. They spent the big bucks to bring in their targets, using incredible sums to force a sale.
We look at some of the most expensive transfers of the just concluded summer window.
10.) Raphinha from Leeds United to FC Barcelona (€58 million)
The Brazilian winger rejected interest from Arsenal and Chelsea to ensure a move to Spain.
After contributing 11 goals and three assists to help Leeds survive relegation, the club were happy to let him leave to his favoured destination, even if they had to take a reduced transfer sum.
Joan Laporta orchestrated a masterful reinforcement of the Barcelona squad, and Raphinha was an important piece. He will provide competition on the right for Ousmane Dembele.
As the ninth most expensive Barcelona signing of all time, Raphinha has already started repaying some of that fee with dazzling displays, providing one assist and creating two big chances in three league appearances.
9.) Erling Braut Haaland from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City (€60 million)
In one of the best bargains and unfair deals this summer, the world watched as Manchester City added Erling Braut Haaland to their squad after deciding against a move to Real Madrid.
He joined from Borussia Dortmund for a modest €60 million fee, albeit enough to make the top 10 most expensive Man City signings list. Despite his struggles in the FA Community Shield, Haaland has started Premier League life with a bang.
The former Molde and RB Salzburg striker has netted nine goals in five games from 151 touches. He has scored back-to-back hat-tricks.
He already leads the league for goals scored, and he is the betting man’s favourite to hold on to that position by the end of the campaign.
8.) Marc Cucurella from Brighton & Hove Albion (€65 million)
Man City spent most of the summer chasing Marc Cucurella, but they would not go above £50m for the La Masia graduate.
The Blues stepped into the picture and signed him for £58.7m, a transfer that lands the player fifth on Chelsea’s most expensive signings list.
The big-haired Spaniard has slotted in at left-wing-back and has already provided two assists for the Blues. His boisterous energy is unmissable on the left side.
He will provide competition for Ben Chilwell, who is taking his time to get used to top-flight football after being out for a lengthy period.
7.) Matthijs De Ligt from Juventus to Bayern Munich (€67 million)
Niklas Sule’s decision to join Borussia Dortmund blindsided Bayern Munich, but there is efficiency in how die Rekordmeister operates.
Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic led the charge and hijacked Matthijs De Ligt from the grip of Chelsea.
The London club struggled to agree a fee, and the Bundesliga champions stepped in and signed De Ligt from under their noses as the second-most expensive Bayern signing ever.
He has scored one goal and helped Bayern keep two clean sheets in four appearances. As with Bayern’s signings of Lucas Hernandez and Dayot Upamecano in recent years, the Bavarians have invested heavily in defence to secure the best in class for the next decade.
6.) Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad to Newcastle United (€70 million)
Newcastle paid an incredible €70m to sign Swedish striker Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad as they bid to establish themselves as one of the top clubs in the Premier League and worldwide.
The former Borussia Dortmund striker is a talent with a big future ahead, but there are still questions about how prolific he can be.
Last season, Isak scored only six goals in the league. He missed 11 big chances.
This did not stop Newcastle, who added him to Eddie Howe’s squad. He marked his debut with a well-taken goal against Liverpool. There was also a tantalising second that the linesman ruled as offside.
Despite the loss, it was a positive sign to see Isak setting in well with a goal.
5.) Casemiro from Real Madrid to Manchester United (€70.65 million)
Manchester United’s midfield has been crying out for a defensive midfielder for years, and the club went out to sign one of the best in Europe.
Man Utd brought in Casemiro from Real Madrid for €72m – an eye-catching sum for a 30-year-old. His experience and ability to break up opposition play will be vital for United’s campaign.
While he is yet to start a game under Erik Ten Hag, his cameos have been impressive.
The Brazilian international breaks up play and moves the ball forward with minimum fuss.
4.) Darwin Nunez from Benfica to Liverpool (€75 million)
The hole in Liverpool’s centre-forward position had become unmissable with Roberto Firmino struggling last season.
Sadio Mane had to fill in towards the end of the campaign. However, the Senegalese attacker has moved to Bayern. Liverpool moved to sign 23-year-old Darwin Nunez from Benfica.
The Uruguayan international has had a mixed start to his time in Merseyside, struggling with his status as the second-most expensive Liverpool signing ever.
He was the hero as he helped Liverpool to the FA Community Shield against Man City, but went to zero when he picked up a red card for a headbutt on Joachim Andersen against Crystal Palace.
Nunez will return for the Merseyside derby this weekend after serving his three-game suspension.
3.) Aurelien Tchouameni from AS Monaco to Real Madrid (€80 million)
Real Madrid brought Tchouameni early in the summer as Florentino Perez sought to add one of the best midfield talents in Europe to the club’s midfield.
He moved for France international midfield general Tchouameni.
The 22-year-old joins international teammate Eduardo Camavinga and Uruguayan Fede Valverde as the future of Madrid’s midfield.
As one of Madrid’s most expensive transfer signings ever, he is expected to line up for them for the next decade.
They will each rotate for different positions as Carlo Ancelotti loves to keep things fluid.
After struggling for 58 minutes against Almeria, he impressed against Celta Vigo and Espanyol. With Casemiro gone, Tchouameni will get more playing time this season.
2.) Wesley Fofana from Leicester City to Chelsea (€80.4 million)
After missing out on Jules Kounde and De Ligt, Chelsea pushed to sign Leicester City’s Wesley Fofana. They paid a hefty sum of £69.6m to sign the France under-21 international.
Leicester demanded more than £80m from Chelsea, having collected that amount from Manchester United for Harry Maguire. In the end, however, the Foxes accepted a reduction and sold their star.
Fofana has been elated by his move, and his social media shows it. The boyhood Olympique de Marseille fan has been granting interviews to the Chelsea website about his love for Marcel Desailly and Didier Drogba.
Fofana will get his first look into the Chelsea squad when the Blues face West Ham United this weekend.
1.) Antony from Ajax to Manchester United (€100 million)
After months of pursuing Brazil international Antony, the €100m eventually convinced Ajax to sell.
The Eredivisie champions let go of the 22-year-old after his pouting forced the move. He will reunite with former boss Erik Ten Hag and defender Lisandro Martinez and line up for United as their second-most expensive signing (after Paul Pogba). Fans will be expecting him to have more of a Cristiano Ronaldo-esque impact though.
After gaining his work permit in time, Antony is eligible to play in this weekend’s game against Arsenal. It might be too soon to start, but the right-winger could get a spot on the bench.
All fees are from Transfermrkt.
