The 2016 summer transfer window officially opened on July 1 and, on cue, many clubs completed some of their transfers immediately. The 2016 European Championship quarter-finals are over. This means only four teams remain, with the semi-finals beginning on Wednesday, July 6. Soon, all the players involved in the tournament will be free to complete any potential transfers.
The new spending power of the Premier League is beginning to show with some of the mid-table clubs flexing their financial muscle. Clubs in the Far East also are serious about football and the money thrown about from some of them are staggering.
There were a lot of transfers completed and plenty of rumours surrounding players in the last week. Let's check out some of the biggest deals and rumours.
Done deals:
1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – PSG to Manchester United (Free transfer)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is by far the biggest name, so far, to have completed his transfer. Manchester United bought Zlatan on a free transfer after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain ended on June 30. His wages, though, are considerably high, but United can afford it, despite only playing in the Europa League next season. Zlatan, 34, is one of the best strikers in the world despite his age. He also loves a bit of the theatrical when it comes to playing and giving interviews. The recently-retired Sweden international is also a natural leader and will add some stardust to Old Trafford for the 2016-'17 season. Zlatan will also get to work with Jose Mourinho, whom he adores a lot. Expect fireworks from him and the manager next season.
2. Henrikh Mkhitaryan – Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United for £26m
Borussia Dortmund tweeted on Saturday that a deal has been agreed between them and Manchester United for midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan. While United haven't said anything yet, the deal is expected to cost around £26 million. Mkhitaryan is a versatile player who usually plays behind the main striker as an attacking midfielder. He can also play on the wings. United seem to have acquired the services of one of the best players from the German Bundesliga.
3. Michy Batshuayi - Marseille to Chelsea for £33 million
Chelsea have signed young Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi from French side Marseille for an astonishing £33 million. This is the beginning of Chelsea's rebuilding work under new manager Antonio Conte. After finishing 10th in the Premier League last season, Chelsea will be without European football for the first time since Roman Abramovich bought the club back in 2003. Despite this, they have the financial strength to shell out such money on promising-yet-unproven players. Batshuayi, 22, did show glimpses of his talent during Euro 2016.
4. Dani Alves – Barcelona to Juventus (Free transfer)
If Chelsea shelled out that kind of money on the unproven Batshuayi, Juventus went the complete opposite way. The Italian Serie A champions completed the transfer of Dani Alves from Barcelona for free. The 33-year-old Brazilian is one of the greatest right-backs in history. He won everything on offer while at Barcelona. Juventus have a habit of signing top talent on the cheap or for free. The Italian giants have won four Serie A titles on the trot, but still have their eyes on the elusive Champions League, having finished runners-up in 2015. Alves, a three-time winner, will add necessary experience and know-how to the squad in search of that top European crown.
5. Nolito – Celta Vigo to Manchester City for £13.8 million
Manchester City signed Spanish forward Nolito from Celta Vigo after matching his release clause, valued at £13.8 million. Nolito rejoins manager Pep Guardiola since their brief time while at Barcelona. He can play across the field in attack and is tactically astute – a key feature that Guardiola likes in his forwards. He had a relatively good Euro 2016 before Spain were knocked out in the Round of 16 by Italy.
6. Hatem Ben Arfa – Nice to PSG (Free transfer)
The mercurial French winger moved to PSG on a free from Ligue 1 side Nice. When on song, he is one of the best players to watch. But he is also highly erratic in his performances. After losing Zlatan earlier, PSG have acted quickly and got one of France's best talents on their roster. There were even rumours of Barcelona interested in signing the winger. That is his quality and PSG have got it now.
7. Hulk – Zenit St Petersburg to Shanghai Shenhua for £46.1 million
There have been free transfers and expensive ones that were concluded in the last week. But this one takes the cake in terms of price and clubs involved. Hulk left Russian club Zenit St Petersburg to join Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua for an astonishing £46.1 million. Shanghai, managed by former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, are part of a revolution in the Chinese Super League. Clubs have thrown out money, most notably for Brazilian players, in the last two transfer windows. Hulk is also the most expensive signing in Asian football. Being a powerful forward, the 29-year-old offers an extraordinary physical presence and is also a scorer of great goals.
8. Andros Townsend – Newcastle to Crystal Palace for £13 million
England winger Andros Townsend has moved from Newcastle to Crystal Palace for £13 million. Newcastle were relegated last season and got seemingly a good offer from the Londoners. Townsend is considered to have enormous talent but is highly wayward in his displays. He showed a bit form for Newcastle late in the season, but it was too little too late for them. Palace have also bought France's second-choice goalkeeper Steve Mandanda for a reported £1.5 million from Marseille. Palace struggled last season with their goalkeepers and Mandanda has been bought to bring some calmness in that area.
9. Maarten Stekelenburg – Fulham to Everton (Undisclosed fee)
Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg has moved from English Championship club Fulham to Premier League side Everton for an undisclosed fee. Stekelenburg is highly experienced and played in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final for the Netherlands against Spain. He rejoins manager Ronald Koeman after working with him while at Ajax and Southampton.
Rumours:
1. Juan Mata – Manchester United to Everton
Everyone knows that Jose Mourinho is not the biggest fan of Juan Mata. As soon as the transfer window opened there were rumours of the Spaniard nearing an Old Trafford exit. Everton have been reported to be interested in buying the playmaker for £20 million.
2. Paul Pogba – Juventus to Manchester United
This is a name that will keep appearing again and again in the rumours list until the transfer is completed or till the end of the window. Paul Pogba has been heavily linked with Manchester United in the past week after the club signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic and now have seemingly bought Henrikh Mkhitaryan as well. However, United may have to pay Juventus close to £100 million for Pogba.
3. Yaya Toure – Manchester City to Inter Milan
Pep Guardiola sold Yaya Toure from Barcelona to Manchester City back in 2010. Now he is City manager and Toure's future with the club looks uncertain. Inter Milan are reported to show an interest in signing the attacking midfielder. Manager Roberto Mancini got the best out of the Ivory Coast player and a reunion could happen.
4. Javier Hernandez – Bayer Leverkusen to Juventus
Javier Hernandez has been linked to Juventus after having an exceptional season with Bayer Leverkusen in the German Bundesliga. Having lost Alvaro Morata, Juventus are keen to sign a striker and Chicharito fits the bill for them.
5. N'Golo Kante – Leicester City to Real Madrid/Juventus
When anyone has had the season that N'Golo Kante had in 2015-'16, the richest clubs will be wanting his services quickly. Kante helped Leicester City to an improbable Premier League title triumph last season. Now, Real Madrid and Juventus have been reported to be highly interested in signing the French midfielder.
6. Raphael Varane – Real Madrid to Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich head coach Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly asked the club to buy Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane. This could end in a swap deal as Real reportedly want highly-rated defender/midfielder David Alaba from Bayern.
7. Radja Nainggolan – AS Roma to Chelsea
Radja Nainggolan has impressed many with his performances for Belgium in Euro 2016. His combative style of play along with his brilliant long-range shooting is something Chelsea fans would love to see up close and personal. Antonio Conte is reportedly an admirer of his talents and wants him as quickly as possible.
8. Claudio Bravo – Barcelona to Manchester City
Joe Hart's performances for England haven't done him any good and reports are linking Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to replace him at Manchester City. Guardiola would probably like to get a few more transfers in as he begins his managerial career with City. Hart may have to look for a new club before the window ends.
9. Diego Costa – Chelsea to Atletico Madrid
It is no surprise that Diego Costa has been heavily reported to want to leave Chelsea. Despite his extremely aggressive style of play, there is a feeling that Costa thinks he has been unfairly targeted by Premier League officials. A move back to Atletico Madrid could materialise if Conte deems Costa surplus to requirements.
10. Christian Benteke – Liverpool to Crystal Palace
Liverpool's castaway striker Christian Benteke has been linked to Crystal Palace for a fee of £25 million. Benteke didn't have a good debut season with Liverpool and it seems that manager Jurgen Klopp would like to get as much money as he can get for the Belgium striker. Palace have again been linked with another high-profile player and it might not surprise anyone if they pull one or even more of these deals.
