The Best Deals of the Transfer Window so far

The end of the 2016-17 season has paved the way for the start of this summer’s transfer window. The transfer windows, especially the summer ones, have their own share of excitement, with clubs being linked to/ signing a host of players. Though the transfer window officially opens on July 1, football clubs start wrapping up deals for prospective players way before. Here’s a list of the top deals that have been confirmed so far:

Ederson Moraes (SL Benfica to Manchester City):

Manchester City completed the signing of goal-keeper Ederson Moraes from SL Benfica on 8th June, 2017. The 23-year-old Brazilian will officially join the City squad for a fee of €40 million, thus becoming the most expensive goal-keeper for a British club till date. He has signed a six-year contract.

Manchester City endured a tough 2016-17 season between the sticks as Claudio Bravo(signed from Barcelona last season) and Willy Caballero did not live upto expectations. Ederson is a great addition as he is widely considered one of the best young goal-keepers across Europe, courtesy of the fact that he played a key role in Benfica’s sucessful campaign last season, by keeping 22 clean sheets.

Ricardo Rodriguez (VFL Wolfsburg to AC Milan):

After being linked to a host of Premier League clubs in previous transfer windows, Ricardo Rodriguez signed for Italian side, AC Milan, as confirmed by the club on 6th June, 2017. The 24-year-old Switzerland international, who has won 43 caps for his country, put pen to paper on a four-year contract that will keep him in Milan till 2021. The transfer fee paid by the Rossoneri for Rodriguez is reportedly around €18m.

The left-back caught the eyes of the footballing world during FIFA World Cup 2014. Accurate crossing, composure, strength, deadly left-foot and versatility are some of the features of Rodriguez that have made him an interesting prospect for big clubs.

Victor Lindelof (SL Benfica to Manchester United):

Manchester United announced on 10th June, 2017 that they have agreed with Portuguese club SL Benfica to sign centre-back Victor Lindelof. The Sweden international will join the Red Devils after undergoing medical examination,  acquiring international clearance and agreeing personal terms. United would reportedly pay around €35 million for the 22-year-old.

Lindelof was heavily linked with Jose Mourinho’s side in this year’s January transfer window, however, the move reportedly failed due to Benfica’s valuation of the player. Even though United finished with one of the best defensive figures among European clubs at the end of the 2016-17 season, hardly anyone would argue that they need defensive reinforcements. Lindelof, after an impressive season at Benfica, would be the ideal partner to Eric Bailly, to provide the much-needed stability to the Red Devils’ back-line.

Andre Silva (FC Porto to AC Milan):

Europe’s sleeping giant, AC Milan, signalled its intention of bringing back the glory days of the late nineties and early 2000’s, by signing highly-rated striker, Andre Silva, from FC Porto. The 21-year-old Portuguese international signed a five-year contract that cost Milan about €38 million.

“When I retire, Portugal will still be in good hands. We have a great striker in Andre Silva”, said Cristiano Ronaldo, which speaks volumes about the abilities of Silva. He scored 16 times in 32 appearances for Porto in the Primeira Liga last season, along-with four goals in eight Champions League outings.

Bernardo Silva (AS Monaco to Manchester City):

After helping AS Monaco to win the Ligue 1 title and reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season, play-maker Bernardo Silva signed for Manchester City on 26th May, 2017. The Portuguese midfielder agreed a five-year contract with City, with the club reportedly paying around €49 million to secure his signature.

Pep Guardiola seems to have taken his first-ever trophy-less season quite seriously, as he made no hesitation in signing one of the hottest prospects of this transfer window even before the season ended (the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Arsenal was yet to be played). Well-known for his footballing intelligence, Silva played a key attacking role in the side that scored the highest number of goals in Europe’s top five leagues last season.