Top Ten Best Signings in Europe's Top Five Leagues this Season
After several months of non-stop club football in Europe, the 2023/24 season will end in about two months. At least 75% of the games have been played in La Liga, the Premier League, Serie A, the Bundesliga and Ligue 1, so we are in the last quarter of the season.
This means that across the top five leagues in Europe, we now know who the title contenders are and the teams likely to be relegated. With over 27 games played, we can also tell which players are having a good season and which are having a hard time.
So, among the 2000 transfers made worldwide this season, we look at the top ten deals that have proven the best value for money across Europe's top five leagues.
10. Waturu Endo–Stuttgart to Liverpool: €19.2 million
When Liverpool signed 30-year-old Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo for £16m, many rival fans scoffed. The Reds were undergoing seismic changes after losing at least six members of their midfield in one summer, including two surprise exits in Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.
Jürgen Klopp's side quickly replaced Henderson and the other midfield departures by signing Alexis MacAllister, Dominik Szoboslai and Ryan Gravenberch. But they couldn't get a specialist defensive midfielder as they were rejected by Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo, who both joined Chelsea for big-money deals instead of coming to Anfield.
Reeling from their shame of being beaten by Chelsea to two top youngsters, Liverpool were forced to look at a little-known Stuttgart player to complete their midfield puzzle. Endo and Liverpool were mocked for the transfer, with the announcement of the deal stuff for internet memes during the summer.
But six months into the season, no one is scoffing. Endo has proven everyone who did not believe in him wrong. Liverpool fans are now scoffing at their rivals. The Japanese international has been one of the best players in his position in the league, and Liverpool has not lost a Premier League game he has started, proving how important he is.
9. Ilkay Gundogan: Manchester City to Barcelona–Free
After captaining Manchester City to an incredible treble last season, Ilkay Gundogan moved to Barcelona, much to the disappointment of Pep Guardiola, who was willing to do anything to ensure his continued stay at the Etihad.
The German could have joined any European club but chose Barcelona. However, the move to Catalonia has yet to produce much success, as Barca is struggling in La Liga behind Real Madrid. Yet, despite how poor Barcelona has been this season, Gundogan has established himself as one of the best midfielders in La Liga and Europe.
The 33-year-old has already created 80 chances this season, the third most by players in Europe's top five leagues. He has also made the most key passes in La Liga this season, and his five goals and ten assists in all competitions this season make him one of Barcelona's most important players. For a guy who signed for free, he's undoubtedly one of Europe's top summer businesses, and fans who buy tickets from vetted resellers on Seatsnet are always happy to see him play.
8. Marcus Thuram: Borussia Monchengladbach to Inter Milan –Free
Marcus Thurman is another free signing who has taken his club to new heights. Signed from Borussia Monchengladbach, Inter knew they had secured a bargain when they beat competition from other clubs to secure his signature.
But even the most optimistic Nerazzurri fans wouldn't have predicted the Frenchman making such a significant impact in Italy. Thuram has been one of Inter's best players this season, and his ten goals and seven assists in the league are why Inter is leading the Serie A table. He has formed a telepathic relationship with club captain Lautaro Martinez that threatens to better the one enjoyed with Romelu Lukaku by the Argentine.
7. Guglielmo Vicario: Empoli to Tottenham–€20 million
Jose Mourinho described him as the best goalkeeper in the world last season, but none of the other top Premier League clubs were keen on signing him. Man United, Chelsea, and Arsenal were all looking to sign a goalie, but none paid attention to Vicario, who was making waves at Empoli.
But Tottenham paid attention and paid a paltry £18m for the Italian. Fast-forward six months, and Vicario is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. He's one of the major reasons Spurs are in the top-four race, and his form has led the Italy coach to contemplate starting him ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma in the summer European Championship.
6. Alex Grimaldo: Benfica to Bayer Leverkusen - Free
Considering how good the Spaniard has become, Alex Grimaldo's free transfer from Benfica to Leverkusen could go down as the most valuable business in football's history. The 28-year-old is statistically one of Europe's top fullbacks, and his goals and assists have fuelled Leverkusen's push for the next Bundesliga title.
Grimaldo has eleven goals and 15 assists in all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen this season, an attacking output many attackers cannot boast of.
5. Isco: Real Betis- Free
We all thought Isco's career was over after his acrimonious mid-season exit from Sevilla and a failed transfer to Union Berlin in January 2023. He had been without a club for six months and looked likely to fiddle out into oblivion.
However, how he went from being clubless for about six months to becoming one of the best players in La Liga has to be studied. Though they got him for free, Real Betis gambled on the former Real Madrid player.
Their decision has paid off handsomely, with Isco starring since returning to La Liga. He's barely missed a minute of action for Manuel Pellegrini's side, helping position them as a top-six contender.
4. Declan Rice: West Ham to Arsenal–€116 million
Arsenal's decision to spend over £100m on Declan Rice has been one of the best business decisions of this season.
The Englishman has been a hit from his first day at the Emirates, making him one of the first names in the team sheets. The former West Ham captain has added steel to the Arsenal midfield, and his defensive work is one of the reasons Arsenal have the best defence in Europe this season.
Not only is Rice regularly dominating games from midfield, but he's also scored some vital goals. Despite his huge price tag, he's been a hit, and Arsenal will be happy for the money they spent signing him.
3. Cole Palmer: Manchester City to Chelsea–€47 million
Chelsea's decision to sign a 20-year-old, relatively unknown English player from Manchester City for €47m was considered another sign that the Blues didn't know what to do with their money. The free-spending Blues had signed some genuine expensive flops, and Palmer was seen as another soon-to-be expensive flop, especially given how easily Man City let him go.
However, Palmer has proven a hit at Stamford Bridge, scoring 16 times and providing 12 assists in 37 games. City will be fuming with themselves for letting him go, as the Englishman is arguably the best under-21 player not named in Jude Bellingham this year.
2. Harry Kane: Tottenham to Bayern Munich–€95 million
Harry Kane's move away from Tottenham was one of the biggest transfer news stories of the early season. The Englishman had broken goalscoring records and had established himself as a top marksman in England.
But trophies were missing from his cabinet, so he traded the Premier League for the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich. However, his dream of winning his first official title looks shattered as Bayern continues to struggle. Perhaps Bayern is suffering the Harry Kane curse, or the Englishman is just unlucky.
Nevertheless, the Bavarians' struggle is insufficient to hide Kane's star, as the England captain has continued scoring goals for fun. He is top of the Bundesliga and Champions League scoring charts and is on course to win Europe's Golden Shoe. Not a bad investment for Bayern.
1. Jude Bellingham: Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid–€103 million
Although Real Madrid spent over £100m (plus add-ons) to secure his services, Jude Bellingham's move to Spain has been a success.
The Englishman's exploits this season are many, and the stories of his emerging legend are well-documented. His catalogue of clutch moments and memorable showings makes him easily the best footballing business in Europe this season.
With 20 goals and nine assists, he is Real Madrid's top scorer in all competitions. Few can argue that he deserves to be the best player in the world this season; talk more of being the best player signed this season. He's currently the frontrunner to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or unless he does poorly in Euros 2024 or a certain PSG star shines in the Euros and wins the Champions League.
