The BEST Last Minute Fútbol Transfers, Ranked
Some teams really like to cut it close…
Friday, September 1st marked the end of the European transfer window (for most nations), and it was a somewhat frantic sprint to the finish line, as per usual. To no surprise, PSG splashed out more money while Barcelona and Chelsea tried to balance out their overflowing rosters. Without further ado, here are the top eleven deadline-day transfers!
11. João Félix (Atleti-> Barca)
Stay with me on this — I do not think this was the best signing possible for Xavi’s Barcelona at this time. With Robert Lewandowski scoring 23 goals last season and a forward line featuring the likes of Raphinha, Gavi, Ferran Torres and the impeccable youngster Lamine Yamal, Barcelona needs anything but an underperforming center-forward.
Nonetheless, Félix did score a combined eight goals and three assists between Chelsea and Atlético Madrid last year and is still only 23 — perhaps Barcelona can flip the ex-wonderkid under Xavi’s guidance? I’m sure Barcelona won’t be too worried either way, they did steal him on a loan deal…
10. Luka Jović (Madrid -> Milan)
Milan had a masterclass of a transfer window. Bringing in a (now) motivated and performing Christian Pulisic, proven strikers Noah Okafor and Samuel Chukwueze, and promising youngsters Yunus Musah and Luka Romero, Milan’s attack looks terrifying. Not to mention that list does not include world-class caliber forwards Oliver Giroud and, of course, Rafael Leão.
I understand that Milan cannot count on Giroud to play ninety minutes at full strength for the whole season and Champions League. So — from that perspective — Luka Jović seems like a reliable, cheap(ish) option at the front. However, his recent experience comes from a year at Fiorentina and a few appearances, mostly underwhelming, with Madrid. He did have a very strong 2018/19 season in Frankfurt — we’ll see if he can pick up that form on the highest stage with Milan. I’m certainly rooting for him.
9. Cole Palmer (City -> Chelsea)
I’m honestly surprised a move like this didn’t happen earlier. It’s seemed like Palmer’s been that promising 19-year-old who’s gonna be big someday for years now, when he’s already 21. Still, for such a talented youngster (did you see his goal in the FA Community Shield?), he deserves more playing time.
While Chelsea seems a great option for the player, I think it’s another missed opportunity for the Blues. Pochettino’s side has relied too much on young players in recent years, and I don’t think Palmer will be a consistent outlet for Caicedo and Fernández. Even so, Chelsea are getting a jewel of a left foot in the 21-year-old.
8. Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea -> Roma)
While it will be unsettling to see Lukaku play against Inter this season, he will definitely contribute to a Roma attack lacking… practically all spirit. Tammy Abraham and Dybala are injured, yet when they are playing, they lack consistency. Lukaku adds a direct point of attack with plenty of experience and success in Serie A. Alongside a (reinvigorated?) Andrea Belotti, I could see Roma challenging for a top-four spot again this year.
7. Gabri Veiga (Celta Vigo -> Al-Ahli)
Say what you want, Veiga to Al-Ahli is one of the biggest transfers this summer. While his lack of experience keeps him from being further down this list, Veiga’s move shows that the Saudi League Pro is moving beyond all-star veterans and working to get promising youngsters, like the best clubs in Europe do. The fact that Veiga was linked with the likes of Napoli and PSG shows his caliber — making it all the bigger signing for Al-Ahli and the Saudi league. So look out Ronaldo, the future is coming.
6. Brennan Johnson (Forest -> Tottenham)
This transfer was less obvious to me than some of the others. Johnson isn’t particularly known for being a top-level player, though maybe that is due to Nottingham Forest’s underperformance last year. The striker scored 26 goals for Forest over the last two seasons, and his speed and composure in the final third will be a welcome addition to Postecoglou’s offense.
Indeed, the team’s commitment to a younger, quicker attack (centered around Son and Johnson instead of Kane) could be the answer to the team’s inconsistency in recent years. So maybe it’s a perfect addition after all… all eyes on Tottenham’s defense now.
5. Niclas Füllkrug (Werder -> Dortmund)
Füllkrug hasn’t ever played for any top-caliber teams, but Dortmund isn’t a top-caliber team right now. Füllkrug isn’t the youngest, fastest player, but neither are Dortmund’s players. In other words, Füllkrug more or less fits Dortmund to a tee!
One thing Füllkrug does bring to the team is a whole ton of goals. The German striker, who won the Bundesliga’s Torjägerkanone (most goals scored) last year for sixteen goals with Werder Bremen, joins a side that drew with Heidenheim and Bochum and barely beat Köln in the first three games of the season. With incredible goal providers in fellow Germans Marco Reus, Karim Adeyemi and Youssoufa Moukoko (not to mention Malen, Brandt and Reyna), Füllkrug provides a consistent goal-scoring threat that can compete for playing time with starting forward Sébastien Haller.
4. Sofyan Amrabat (Fiorentina -> United)
Did you watch Morocco during the World Cup? Then you know how incredible this man is in the midfield. And defense. Maybe even attack? Many complain about Manchester United’s glut of midfielders: with such a strong trio as Fernandes, Casemiro and Mount, and Eriksen and McTominay as regular replacements, why would the team need another in the middle of the park?
Defense. Defense, defense, defense.
With Fernandes playing such an integral part in Manchester United’s attack, and Mount’s tendency to appear in and around the attacking box, Casemiro becomes the only player staying back to prepare for any counters. And, in such games as United’s 2–0 defeat to Tottenham in the second game of the season, Casemiro and Mount have failed to mark opposing attackers and support the defense in crucial moments. Amrabat will provide some needed insurance in the back to hopefully lead Manchester United back to their old, successful ways.
3. Mohammed Kudus (Ajax -> West Ham)
West Ham needed some midfield replacements this summer after selling Declan Rice, and boy did they get it in Kudus. A pacey, goal-scoring beast, this young Ghanaian shined for his nation in their brief appearance in the World Cup. Alongside Lucas Paquetá, James Ward-Prowse and Edson Álvarez, Kudus rounds out a strong midfield — arguably a top-five midfield in the league. I applaud West Ham for going all out for this young player despite him having no experience outside of Denmark and the Netherlands— 43 million euros is no small price-tag — but I’m confident Kudus will be worth it.
2. Randal Kolo Muani (Frankfurt -> PSG)
It was inevitable. Nkunku and Kolo Muani were going to leave Germany this summer, one way or another. After such a breakout year for the two young strikers, the world came calling: Nkunku’s transfer to Chelsea came early, and as soon as I heard rumors of Kolo Muani going to PSG, I figured that would be a done deal (and a good deal, at that).
Then PSG signed world cup breakout star Gonçalo Ramos and kept Kylian Mbappé. Why would PSG need a third center forward?
Honestly, I have no idea. Nor do I care.
Kolo Muani is a top class, young center-forward with the world at his feet and plenty of goals under his belt. Between Champions League and a seemingly-more-difficult league season, I think PSG could use some more youthful talent up front rather than Messi’s and Neymar’s. If this is the new PSG, I think it’s a step in the right direction.
1. Ansu Fati (Barcelona -> Brighton)
This is by far the most exciting and most impressive Deadline Day transfer of this window, and I’ll tell you why.
First of all, Ansu Fati is still only 20 years old — after playing already four seasons for Barcelona it seems like he should be in thirties, doesn’t it? His pace on the ball and ability to pull off Vinicius Junior-esque runs is applaudable for such a young talent.
He’s also had very limited playing time in such a deep Barcelona roster, and thus hasn’t had many chances to prove his talent. At Brighton, he will get the regular playing time he needs, at a top-of-the-Premier-League caliber side, no less.
From Brighton’s perspective too, this is a fantastic signing. The Seagulls just shipped off Caicedo and McAllister to Chelsea and Liverpool respectively and are still a scary side to play against in league play. I’m constantly impressed at Brighton’s ability to find up-and-coming talent, turn them into superstars, and still challenge in league play.
Alongside Japanese international Kaoru Mitoma, Irish international Evan Ferguson (who scored a hattrick today at only age eighteen) and Solly March, Fati could verily break apart every defense he faces in the Premier League and Europa League this season. Don’t believe me? Just watch.
Did I mention they got him on a loan deal — with no transfer fee???
Thanks for reading my story! You can read more about sports, especially the beautiful game, here: https://medium.com/@gianlombeyda
Don’t agree with the top-eleven list? Let me know what you think in the comments!
