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Player Transfers

2022 Summer Transfer window
22/06/17
16:11
sokapro-2022 Summer Transfer window

European clubs seem to have come out of the financial heat brought about as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic as they are splashing cash in the transfer market.

As the transfer window takes shape, what is most notable this time around is that the 100 million Euros signings are back. The past recent years have been a bit unusual considering the impact that Covid-19 has had on businesses around the world. Megastars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have moved clubs, free transfers have made a massive impact and The Premier League clubs' spending during the summer transfer window have dropped significantly ever since 2019. As the economic reverberations of the war in Ukraine, the cost of living crisis, and the pandemic continue, the football industry seems to be operating in its own bubble. There has been some evidence that clubs are prepared to spend big during this transfer window that opened up on June 10th in England and is set to open on 1st July in most leagues of Europe. 

Two years ago, Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness made a statement that suggested transfer fees in excess of 100M Euros will be a thing of the past for the coming few years. That was largely due to the financial challenges created as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. That period appears to be truly over as clubs have already started hitting the 100M Euro mark in the purchasing of players they consider valuable, crucial, and essential to have in their squad. In 2021, Jack Grealish was signed from Aston Villa by Manchester City for €117m. Chelsea resigned Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan for €115m. The transfer window is not even fully open and two deals pushing to the €100m have already been announced. Liverpool have signed Darwin Nunez from Benfica in a €75m transfer fees plus €25m in performance-related bonuses. AS Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni was presented by Real Madrid for a reported €80m transfer fee. 

Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland made a €60m transfer to Manchester City and it is said that it was an undervalue for a striker in his caliber and the only reason that fees was applicable it was because City triggered his release clause in his Dortmund contract. Despite the world's financial issues, the biggest clubs in Europe are ready and willing to splash and spend cash on young players with the potential to improve It is no coincidence that Haaland is 21, Nunez 22, and Tchouameni also 22.