Silly Season Shorts: Summer Transfer Window Part 2
We are now in the second week of July, and that means that the summer transfer season is well underway. Clubs all across Europe have been making moves, adding or subtracting players, in an attempt to bolster their squad for the present, future or in some cases both. A few weeks ago I highlighted three high profile players that had been discussed in possible moves to greener pastures. In the cases of Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann, they’re staying put. However, the ongoing threesome saga involving Marco Verratti, PSG, and Barcelona has been an entertaining follow, but no one can truly predict the result, at this point. With that said, there are indeed plenty of transfers that have been made official, with the cream of the crop taking place in the UK. Thus, this week I’ll be providing a list of intriguing, marquee, and eye raising transfers that are in the books.
Alexandre Lacazette: The French striker, who was nearly headed to Atletico before Greizmann decided to stay in Madrid, has made a big money move to Arsenal from Lyon. The Gunners paid £52 million for the 26 year old, which is a club transfer fee record. The move has produced mixed reviews from pundits, but I believe he has the size, speed, and technical ability to thrive at Arsenal and endure the riggers of the English game, competition, and scheduling. Results might not come to fruition until year two, as it’s become almost routine that players need a season to adjust and adapt to the Prem League, but he will.
Romelu Lukaku: The big bodied, powerful Belgian center forward is set to don the red, white, and black of Manchester United as the Red Devils and Everton have agreed to a £75 million transfer. Lukaku, at just 23, has already become of one the Premier League’s most lethal scoring weapons. He netted 68 times for the Toffees since the 2013-14 season, including 20 goals last campaign. Also, the Belgian international became the first foreign player in Premier League history to reach the 80 goal mark before the turn of age 24 this past year. Thus, Man United have themselves a proven product, and one that will be scoring goals at Old Trafford for a decade to come!
Victor Lindelof: Since we’re on the topic of Manchester United, the Red Devils also completed a £40 million transfer for center back Victor Lindelof. The 22 year old Swedish international made a name for himself whilst breaking into Portuguese club Benefica. He’s expected to accompany last summer’s signee, Eric Bailly, in the back. This leaves assistant captain, Chris Smalling’s, future and role at the club up in the air.
Ederson: Moving cross town to the Etihad, Pep Guardiola aimed to solidify the always important goalkeeping position. The Barca legend thought he accomplished this objective last summer by plucking Claudio Bravo from Barcelona, but soon he and everyone else witnessed the Chilean’s quick decline in form. Thus, enter Ederson. Just like Lindelof, the 23 year old Brazilian began to blossom while performing inside the Stadio da Luz. Yup, another Benfica product, and another huge transfer fee. £35million fee to be exact, which now makes Ederson the most expensive goalkeeper in pound sterling history. High expectations for the young man between the sticks, but if he lives up to the billing, then Man City will have themselves an elite ‘keeper for another 10-15 years. That would be money well spent.
Bernardo Silva: The last fresh face I’ll be mentioning from Manchester is attacking midfielder Bernardo Silva. The Portugal international dictated and delighted for Monaco as he helped guide Les Rouges et Blancs to a surprising Ligue 1 title. Much like the prior three players, the 22 year old, from Lisbon, burst onto the senior club scene with Portuguese powerhouse Benfica before dazzling in the backdrop of beautiful Monte Carlo. Guardiola couldn’t pass this mercurial talent up, thus he ponied up £61 million, including performance related add-ons for Silva. It’s clear that there is a youth movement taking place under Pep as the likes of Ederson, latest signees Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane, and now Bernardo Silva have been brought in. However, I’m not sure exactly how much game time Bernardo will get this campaign with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva ahead of him in the pecking order. Plus, while on the pitch, I wonder just how effective he’ll be. I believe Bernardo will need time to adapt to the riggers of England’s top flight and top four futbol. Therefore, I view this signing as a focus on depth for the now and starter down the road.
Wayne Rooney: England and Red Devil legend Wayne Rooney leaving Man U for free. Rooney is heading back to his childhood club Everton. Rooney, the man that holds goalscoring records for the England National Team, as well as for Manchester United, has seen his skills and playing time diminish over the past couple of seasons. Thus, by last season’s end, Rooney was not only routinely left out of the starting eleven, he regularly did not play. He was not even selected to sub on by “The Special One,” Jose Mourinho. To me, Rooney’s treatment by Mourinho was excessive, just as it was towards German great, Bastian Schweinstiger, earlier on in the season. It was either riding the pine again, or simply moving on to another club for Rooney, and moving on it will be, to Everton. Sure, he’s not the player he once was but Wayne still has quality, technical ability, and most of all and abundance knowledge and leadership that can and will contribute to this Everton squad. The fact he’s coming full circle by moving back to Goodison Park just makes it all the sweeter.