It’s been another hectic week in the 2023 summer transfer window, with numerous big-money deals completed in the past seven days.
Saudi Pro League clubs continue to be linked with anything that moves, but most of their transfer business has been a sea of mediocrity.
We’ve scoured last week’s transfers to identify the standout moves, starting with one player who could end up with backache next season.
James Trafford – Manchester City to Burnley – £15m
Goalkeeper James Trafford received plenty of plaudits after helping England win the U21 European Championship this summer.
He has subsequently left Manchester City to join newly-promoted Burnley and will be one of the busiest players in the Premier League next term.
Trafford may even need to acquire the services of a decent chiropractor after repeatedly picking the ball out of the net as Burnley fall back into the second tier.
Moussa Diaby – Bayer Leverkusen – Aston Villa – £43.2m
Aston Villa have made another impressive move in the transfer market by completing the signing of Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen.
Diaby was being tracked by several top European clubs, while Saudi outfit Al-Nassr were also in the running to secure his services.
Having already signed Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans, the Midlands club are now genuine top-six contenders. What a difference a proper manager makes.
Kim Min-jae – Napoli to Bayern Munich – £43m
ManUtdNews spent much of the early part of the summer providing updates about Kim Min-jae’s possible move to Manchester United.
Bayern Munich subsequently entered the transfer race, and the Red Devils’ hopes of signing the South Korean went up in smoke.
Min-jae shone for Napoli last season. Bayern will be desperate for him to deliver after having their fingers burnt by big-money flop Dayot Upamecano.
Andre Onana – Inter Milan to Manchester United – £44m
Goodbye David de Gea, hello Andre Onana. Man United have finally signed the ball-playing goalkeeper they have craved.
Onana is also an excellent shot-stopper and should perfectly fit Erik ten Hag’s system. If he helps United win silverware, the fee will be a bargain.
If the Red Devils can get a deal for striker Rasmus Hojlund over the line, they will be firmly in the Premier League title race conversation.
Harvey Barnes – Leicester City to Newcastle United – £38m
Harvey Barnes was one of a handful of rare shining lights for Leicester City last season, but he could not prevent the club from dropping into the Championship.
The winger has become the latest player to leave the Foxes after securing a move to Newcastle United as a replacement for Allan Saint-Maximin.
While Barnes is undoubtedly a solid Premier League player, his ‘give and go’ style is one-dimensional. There are better ways to spend £38m.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Chelsea to Marseille – £0.50
If you have a half-decent memory, you will remember when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was one of the most sought-after strikers in the world.
Fast forward to this summer and Chelsea fans have been offering to drive the Gabonese international to his next club for free.
Much like former Arsenal teammate Alexandre Lacazette, the 34-year-old will probably rediscover his mojo in Ligue 1. Two words – farmer’s league.
