The summer transfer window of European football has been very busy this year, with some of the big names appearing on the transfer list. Clubs like England’s Chelsea FC have seen a mass exodus of players, creating a major overhaul of their squad. Big names like World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi and his PSG teammate Neymar Jr. are some of the notable names on the transfer list this summer.
Both players left the European continent, with Messi joining David Beckham-owned MLS side Inter Miami, whereas Neymar Jr. chose to join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi League. England’s teenage prodigy Jude Bellingham became the most expensive transfer this summer at just 19 years old, joining Real Madrid. Let’s take a look at the most value-for-money transfers in European football this summer.
Jude Bellingham
19-year-old English prodigy has become the most expensive transfer of the 2023 summer window, joining Real Madrid for a whopping €109 million from Borussia Dortmund. He was Real Madrid’s key transfer target for the summer. Bellingham shined in the 2022 FIFA World Cup for England and is poised to become one of the greatest midfielders in the world in the coming years.
Despite the high transfer fee, at just 19 years old, Bellingham’s signing might actually prove to be a bargain for Real Madrid. The youngster is great on both ends of the field, and teaming up with greats like Modric and Kroos can become a lethal weapon for Madrid. Bellingham has signed a six-year contract with the Spanish club and will reportedly earn €20 million per year.
James Maddison
Tottenham Hotspur have bagged a great deal for Leicester City midfielder James Maddison. The London club signed the midfielder for a fee of €46.5 million. Leicester City, under Claudio Ranieri, defied all odds to lift the English Premier League title in 2015.
However, due to their relegation from the top flight of English football, Maddison chose to exit the club, with his contract expiring next summer. The signing has proved to be a good value for money for Spurs, as Maddison bagged two assists on his debut for the club. The 26-year-old will reportedly earn £170,000 a week at the London club.
Alexis Mac Allister
World Cup winner with Argentina, Alexis Mac Allister, was nabbed by Liverpool for a fee of €42 million from Brighton. He was influential in Brighton securing their first-ever European qualification in the 2022/23 season. The youngster scored 10 premier league goals and was a key target for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp to rebuild his squad ahead of the 2023/24 season.
If Mac Allister can adapt to play a deeper role, he will turn out to be a bargain for Liverpool. The 24-year-old has signed a five-year deal with the Merseyside club and will reportedly earn £100,000 a week.
Mateo Kovacic
Manchester City did great business by signing Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea for just €30 million. The move is great for the 29-year-old as well, as he will get a chance to add silver with Manchester City. However, it is a better deal for the Manchester club as they were looking to replace Ilkay Gundogan.
Kovacic will help City’s midfield with his versatility and defensive abilities. A player of Gundogan’s mettle would’ve cost Manchester City something around €60 million, so bagging Kovacic for half the price is a great business for them.
Lionel Messi
American club Inter Miami has bagged arguably the best football transfer of all time by signing Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi on a free transfer. Messi has innumerable records and awards to his name, and after dominating the European football scene for years, the 36-year-old chose to take his talents to the American continent.
The Argentinian has already proved to be a success in America, as has helped Inter Miami lift the 2023 Leagues Cup. Messi finished as the top scorer in the competition, with ten goals in seven matches, and also bagged the Player of the Tournament award. The forward reportedly earns between €50 to €60 million per year and is proving to be worth every penny.
