The transfer market is buzzing with major European clubs moving swiftly to fortify their squad ahead of the 2013/2014 soccer season starting in August.
Interestingly, No Nigerian is among the seven biggest summer signings, while another African country Ivory Coast has one representative on the list. AKPAN SAMUEL looks at some of the major transfer dealings across Europe so far.
Neymar: Santos – Barcelona
The prodigiously talented Brazilian international joined Barcelona for a reported five-year deal worth £48 million.
After flirting with major clubs across Europe, the player who is currently with the five-time world champions Brazil at the FIFA Confederations Cup joined the Catalan giants at the beginning of the month.
Neymar is a spectacular talent and the kind of player who comes along a handful of times each generation. Playing alongside Lionel Messi should improve the 21-year-old’s game even further, a scary thought for La Liga defences.
Mario Gotze: Borussia Dortmund – Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich snapped Gotze from Borussia Dortmund after triggering his £31.5 million release clause.
Gotze continues to improve rapidly and is sure to be a huge hit at the Allianz Arena.
Fernandinho : Shaktar Donesk – Manchester City
Manchester City paid Shakhtar Donetsk £30 million for the Brazilian international on a four-year contract.
His arrival shows that Manuel Pellegrini wants to spice things up at Etihad.
Alongside Navas, Fernandinho will add boundless energy to the 2011/2012 Premier League champions’ midfield.
The 28-year-old has played five times for Brazil and flaunts an excellent roll of awards from his time in Donetsk.
Roman Isco: Malaga – Real Madrid
The La Liga giants paid £23 million to secure the Spanish U-21 playmaker’s signature from Malaga.
He became Carlo Ancelotti first signing as a Real Madrid’s Manager after snubbing EPL side Manchester City.
Isco had previously admitted that the idea of following Manuel Pellegrini from Malaga to Manchester City appealed to him, but the lure of Real has proved impossible to resist. The 21 -year old had become a key member of Pellegrini’s side at Malaga and will now try to break into a Real Madrid team that has Mesut Ozil and Kaka in the playmaking roles.
Jesus Navas: Sevilla – Manchester City
The Spanish international cost Manchester City £14.9 million to secure his release from Sevilla.
The live-wire winger who is presently with the reigning world and European champions in Brazil for the Confederations Cup recorded over 15 goals and six assists in 37 La Liga appearances during the 2012/13 season for Sevilla.
The 27-year-old’s quality is undeniable and he’ll be looking to help Manuel Pellegrini’s side return to the Premier League summit.
Radamel Falcao: Athletico Madrid – Monaco
The prolific Colombian international joined Ligue 2 champions Monaco on a five-year-deal after helping Athletico Madrid to lift the Copa Del Rey at the end of last season.
The two-time Europa Cup winner needs very little introduction among football watchers across the globe. He is an outrageous finisher and possesses terrific quality in aerial situations. He leads Monaco into an exciting Ligue 1 adventure that should see plenty of world-class stars join the rich principality club.
Kolo Toure: Manchester City – Liverpool
The Ivory Coast international joined Liverpool on a free transfer from Manchester City.
The former Arsenal defender was pivotal member of Roberto Mancini Manchester City side that won the EPL title in 2011/2012 season. Before he joined the Sky Blue he was a key member of the invincible Arsenal side that won the EPL in 2004/2005 league season.
He also played in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups with Ivory Coast. The experienced defender would boster Liverpool’s defensive ranks now that Jamie Carragher has retired.
