Top transfers that could still happen in this window
Since its modernisation in 2002, the European summer transfer window has become one of the most crucial times in the football calendar.
The period is often marked by so much anxiety and, sometimes, trepidation or excitement as football fans wait to see which player their clubs will sell or bring in ahead of the new season. And like in previous transfer windows, things are no different this summer.
In the first month of the transfer window, there were few or no movements, as the focus of the majority of the football world was on the summer football tournaments–Copa America, European Championship, and Olympics.
But since these tournaments concluded, there have been hundreds of exchanges between clubs across Europe. According to Transfermarkt, there have been 1,625 new arrivals and 1,318 exits among clubs in the top five European leagues this summer (academy players are included).
A lot of money has also changed hands. So far, Europe's top five leagues have spent approximately €4.45 billion in the transfer market.
As usual, the Premier League is top of the spending chart, with almost €2B spent by English clubs.
For the second summer in a row, Chelsea, who are looking increasingly different under Todd Boehly, have spent the most money on new players.
The Blues have signed at least two dozen new players this summer, but it still looks like they are not done.
Meanwhile, surprisingly, Ligue 1 and Serie A are second and third in the spending chart, with Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon the highest spenders in France.
However, the Spanish La Liga side Atletico Madrid paid the highest transfer fee for a single player this summer. Diego Simeone's side paid Manchester City an initial £64.4m (75m euros) with a further £17.1m (20m euros) in potential add-ons for Julian Alvarez, making the World Cup winner the most expensive transfer this summer.
City may yet regret selling the 24-year-old, but Pep Guardiola's side will surely be happy to recoup that amount from the Argentine.
That said, despite the billions already spent and the thousands of movements between clubs this summer, we still expect many deals to be concluded before the transfer window shuts on August 31st.
So, what are the deals that can still be completed before the transfer window shuts?
Here are eight very likely transfers this summer.
Manuel Ugarte to Manchester United
Manchester United have been one of the most serious and active clubs in the summer transfer window. The Red Devils have already spent €164.5 million on new players this season, with the arrivals of Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, and Noussair Mazraoui exciting Manchester United ticket holders ahead of the new season.
However, Erik ten Hag's side are still in the market for a defensive midfielder after their struggles in that position last season.
To solve this problem, they have identified Paris Saint-Germain's tough-tackling defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte as the man they want in the middle of the park.
The Uruguayan seems keen to come to Old Trafford and has agreed personal terms with the Red Devils.
However, United and PSG are still apart in their valuation of the player, causing the transfer to linger. Given that United is desperate to sign the player, we expect the transfer to go through before the summer transfer window shuts.
Romelu Lukaku to Napoli
It is just a matter of time before Romelu Lukaku and Antonio Conte are reunited for the second time.
The pair worked together well, as Inter Milan won the Scudetto in the 2020/21 season. Conte is now at Napoli and is looking to restore the Partenopei's honour after a shambolic title defence last season.
The Italian manager identified the Belgian as the man he wanted to lead his attack. Although Napoli is reluctant to sign Lukaku, as he is in his 30s, they are willing to make the exception of sanctioning the €30m deal to sign the Belgian from Chelsea.
That said, Conte and Lukaku will guarantee entertainment, something Napoli ticket holders missed last season.
Jadon Sancho to PSG, Chelsea or Juventus
Jadon Sancho is almost guaranteed to leave Manchester United this summer.
The Englishman's United career looked all but over after he was sent on loan following a public falling out with his head coach Erik ten Hag last season.
But things changed after the 24-year-old made up with his coach after returning to Old Trafford.
However, despite being reintegrated with the first team, he looks closer to the exit door than staying at Old Trafford.
He has been left out of United's first two league games of the season, proving that he may not have a place in the team.
Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, and Chelsea have been linked with a move for him. With Ten Hag seemingly ignoring him, there is a huge possibility that he will leave permanently before the transfer window closes.
Victor Osimhen to Chelsea
Despite already spending €241 million on new players, Chelsea still have a glaring hole in attack.
Napoli's Victor Osimhen is available for sale this summer and has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge. The Nigerian has exactly what Chelsea needs to complete their expensive squad. He offers Chelsea goals and is an upgrade to Chelsea's current striking options.
Nicolas Jackson is the man trusted to lead the Blues attack, but the Senegalese is not lethal enough. Chelsea ticket holders and new coach Enzo Maresca saw first-hand Jackson's profligacy and the club's need for a lethal number nine last weekend when Manchester City beat the Blues. With this in mind, we expect Osimhen to Chelsea to happen.
Jonathan Tah to Bayern Munich
One of the most constant things we expect in the Bundesliga every summer is that Bayern Munich will weaken a direct rival.
The Bavarians dominated German football for eleven consecutive years until Bayer Leverkusen stopped them last season. One way Bayern have stayed at the top is by signing players from direct rivals.
From Robert Lewandowski to Matts Hummels and Mario Gotze, Bayern have always poached players from their direct rivals.
They are hoping to do that again this summer, having set their eyes on Bayer Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah. However, Leverkusen have held firm on the defender, who helped them win the league title last season.
However, given that Bayern Munich lost Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui this summer, there is a high chance they will keep pushing to sign Tah until the last day of the summer transfer window.
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Scott McTominay to Napoli
It's been a summer of changes for Napoli, from the departure of long-serving midfielder Piotr Zieliński to the arrival of Antonio Conte, David Neres, and Leonardo Spinazzola. As we said earlier, Victor Osimhen could still leave, while Romelu Lukaku remains their key target.
Another player likely to join the Conte revolution at Naples is Scott McTominay. The Manchester United midfielder has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford all summer, and Naples could be his next destination.
Napoli has already sent a bid for his signature, but Man United has yet to agree. The Red Devils are demanding £30m, so with Napoli and Conte desperate for a hardworking player like Scott McTominay; there is a high chance the Serie A side will meet United's demand before the transfer window shuts.
Other clubs interested in Scott McTominay are Fulham and Everton. So, should Napoli's interest not materialise, the Scotsman could still move to another side, as United have clearly named his price.
Raheem Sterling to Aston Villa
Not everyone expected Raheem Sterling's name to be mentioned in the conversation about a transfer when the summer transfer window opened.
The Englishman is in his third season at Stamford Bridge and was thought to be one of the players who would feature predominantly for Enzo Maresca after a strong preseason.
However, less than a week later, Sterling finds himself in limbo after being told by Enzo Maresca that he isn't part of his plans.
Although he isn't the same player he was a few years ago at Liverpool and Man City, Sterling is still a fine player. The 29-year-old will walk into many Premier League teams and could even get back to his best shape in the right setup and coach.
Aston Villa's Unai Emery is one of the men who could bring out the best in Sterling. Villa, who are rumoured to be interested in the Englishman, need a winger, having sold Moussa Diaby this summer. So, there is a high chance the former Man City man moves to Villa Park this summer.
Ben Chilwell to Man United
Ben Chilwell is another Chelsea player who has been put on the chopping block this summer.
Like Raheem Sterling, the 27-year-old has been told he has no place in Enzo Maresca's squad and must find another club.
So far, no one has made a concrete offer for him, but there are rumours that he's been offered to Erik ten Hag's side. With United's first-choice left-back, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia struggling for fitness, Chilwell could land in Old Trafford before the transfer window closes.
