With Portugal winning the 2016 European Championship, the summer transfer window will begin in full flow. There are no major football tournaments to hinder clubs from getting their desired players. Some transfers may take time depending on the availability and valuation of the players, but that doesn’t stop the rumour mill from running.
Many deals were completed in the last week. So, let us take a look at some of the big names to have moved and some who are rumoured to be heading to another club.
Done deals:
Nani – Fenerbahce to Valencia for £7.25 million
Nani moved to Spanish club Valencia from Turkish side Fenerbahce for a paltry £7.25 million. The winger spent only one year at Fenerbahce after moving from Manchester United in the summer of 2015. Nani completed the move to Valencia while Euro 2016 was going on. Now, he will be more motivated after helping Portugal win the competition.
Victor Valdes – Manchester United to Middlesbrough for free
Many consider the treatment dished out by Louis van Gaal to Victor Valdes an absolute scandal. Valdes signed for United on a free transfer after leaving Barcelona. He was essentially a back-up to David de Gea, but van Gaal froze him out. United opted not to renew his contract and newly promoted side Middlesbrough got him on a free as well. The experience the Spanish goalkeeper will bring them will be immense as they try and stay in the Premier League.
Ever Banega – Sevilla to Inter Milan for free
The Argentine Ever Banega was a free agent after leaving Sevilla. Italian giants Inter Milan snapped him up in a three-year deal. The central midfielder is tactically astute and brings calmness to the game. Inter would expect him to lead them back into the Uefa Champions League.
James Tomkins – West Ham United to Crystal Palace for £10 million
In a surprise move, James Tomkins moved from West Ham United to London rivals Crystal Palace for £10 million. Tomkins came through the youth system at West Ham and played an instrumental role in the team finishing seventh in the Premier League. Now the defender moves to Palace, who ended up in 15th position last season.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – FC Ufa to Manchester City for an undisclosed fee
While Oleksandr Zinchenko is not a household name at the moment, he could very well become one over the course of the coming season. The Ukrainian midfielder signed for Manchester City from Russian club FC Ufa for an undisclosed fee. The 19-year-old is Pep Guardiola's third signing since joining Manchester City.
Graziano Pelle – Southampton to Shandong for £13 million
Graziano Pelle moved to Chinese side Shandong for £13 million from Southampton. While the transfer fee is not very eye-catching, the Italian striker’s wages surely are. He will earn a whopping £34 million in the next two-and-a-half years. It is reported that he is now one of the top-10 best-paid footballers in the world.
Papiss Cisse – Newcastle United to Shandong for undisclosed fee
Papiss Cisse has not had a good last few seasons at Newcastle United, so it comes as no surprise that he has moved to Chinese side Shandong. Cisse was also one of Newcastle’s highest earners. With the club down in the Championship now, they decided to cash in on the Senegal striker, although the fee has not been disclosed.
Rumours:
Robin van Persie – Fenerbahce to West Ham/Crystal Palace
It doesn’t come bigger than this. Or does it? Robin van Persie has not had a comfortable time in Turkey with Fenerbahce. Reports suggest London clubs West Ham and Crystal Palace are interested in signing the former Manchester United and Arsenal striker. Van Persie was the biggest signing four years ago when he switched from Arsenal to United. While he is 32 years old now, he has experience and leadership qualities very few possess. The interest doesn’t seem very high, but it was still enough to set transfer rumour mill running.
Axel Witsel – Zenit to Chelsea
The Belgium midfielder is reported to close in on a move to Chelsea this summer. Axel Witsel is a central midfielder and will bring a big presence in any team’s midfield. He has played for Russian side Zenit since 2012 and a move to west London would be welcomed by the fans.
Memphis Depay – Manchester United to Juventus
Memphis Depay only signed for Manchester United last season from PSV Eindhoven. He started well, but then fell by the wayside as Dutch manager Louis van Gaal opted to look over his countryman. The winger has many positive attributes, but tracking back to help in defence is not one of them. It is well known that Jose Mourinho adores this one particular attribute in his forwards and wingers. With the likes of Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard occupying the winger’s positions and United signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan last week, Depay’s future at the club doesn’t look promising. While United are heavily reported to be interested in Paul Pogba from Juventus, Depay could be used in a part-swap deal.
Mario Gotze – Bayern Munich to Tottenham
The darling of Germany who won them the 2014 Fifa World Cup final doesn’t have the same level of adoration at Bayern Munich. Mario Gotze has spent three years at Bayern and won as many Bundesliga titles along with two German Cups, but that doesn’t mean he has enjoyed personal success. With Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge suggesting that Gotze should look for a new club, he is clearly not in their main plans this season. Tottenham are reported to be looking for an attacking midfielder and Gotze’s name has been doing the rounds. With Champions League on offer, Gotze might move to the north London club.
Arda Turan – Barcelona to Arsenal
Barcelona pulled all strings to get Arda Turan last summer from rivals Atletico Madrid. But it was not all smooth sailing for the Turkish midfielder as he had to spend the first half of last season looking on from the stands as the club were serving a transfer ban. When he finally started playing, Turan was used more as a substitute rather than a starter. While it seems unlikely that he will move away from the Camp Nou, Arsenal could tempt him to reconsider.
Leonardo Bonucci – Juventus to Manchester City
Leonardo Bonucci is the most highly sought after defender at the moment. His displays with Italy in Euro 2016 have interested almost every top club in Europe. New Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, who coached Bonucci at Juventus and Italy, is said to be interested in bringing him to the club. But the absence of Champions League football could dissuade him from joining them. Manchester City, though, are in no such predicament and are the club most likely to sign the defender if he decides to leave Juventus. But that is a big if as Juventus are in no plans to sell one of their prized assets.
Nemanja Matic – Chelsea to Juventus
Juventus seem to be in the transfer news a lot to either sell or buy players. After a substandard season at Chelsea, Nemanja Matic is one of many players reported to be leaving the Premier League club. And on cue, Juventus are reported to be one of Matic’s several destinations. The move could happen if Juventus sell Pogba.
Bastian Schweinsteiger – Manchester United to Paris Saint-Germain
Like Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger’s future at United also does not seem clear. While his passing and leadership are not in question, his ability to run up and down the pitch are – a trait Mourinho loves in his midfielders. Schweinsteiger is a sitting midfielder, who dictates play from deep with occasional forays into the opposition penalty box. The German is still a big name and Paris Saint-Germain are always interested in signing such players. A move to the French champions could be on the cards.
Georginio Wijnaldum – Newcastle to Tottenham
The Dutch midfielder started brightly for Newcastle last season, but like most of his teammates, he suffered a severe dip in form as the club was relegated. Georginio Wijnaldum is now reported to be headed to Tottenham. Mauricio Pochettino seems to be an admirer and could get the best out of him next season.