The summer of 2019/2020 has produced a loaded transfer window.
After all continental tournaments have concluded - rumours, prices and dirt have been running around the media for a few months.
While many exciting sagas took over the mainstream media, we decided to gather the 50 most exciting transfers of this transfer window. You won’t find here the exaggerated Harry Maguire to Manchester United deal, or the poisonous Mauro Icardi move to Paris Saint Germain, but a list of deals, mainly in the European transfer window, that we in BabaGol, think there is an excellent reason to follow these players throughout the season. It’s not a ranking, just a good lead for a story, for a dream coming true, a thrilling footballing combination or of valuable professional deals which took place this summer in the football world.
Our inbox is open for complaints, arguments and ideas at info@babagol.net . Keep it real.
[All transfer details are based on Transfermarkt].
1. Daniele De Rossi - Roma to Boca Juniors - Free transfer
An experienced European big name, a World Champion and a symbol for professionalism fulfills his childhood dream to play in the Argentinean league, and in Boca Juniors specifically. What else can we ask from a transfer nowadays?
2. Radamel Falcao - Monaco to Galatasaray - Free transfer
Aside the fact that a huge South American striker as El-Tigre is joining a massive club like the Turkish champions, the way Falcao was received in Turkey has said it all. The amount of passion and anticipation were above everything we’ve seen this summer.
3. Hirving Lozano - PSV to Napoli - €38m
After the lighted up the Dutch Eredivisie, Chucky Lozano, the hottest football prospect of Mexico has finally made a step forward to a bigger league and a bigger club. Italy is prepared for the magician who has beaten Germany in the 2018 World Cup, to take Napoli one spot up the table and bring Southern Italy its lost title.
4. Trezeguet - Kasimpasa to Aston Villa - €10m
Egypt’s 2019 AFCON campaign was very disappointing but there was one positive figure in the Pharaohs squad - Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet. The pacy Egyptian was one of the best players in Turkey in the past two years and his arrival to Birmingham to play Premier League football alongside his national captain, Ahmed El-Mohamady, is indeed a promising one.
5. Gustavo Cuellar - Flamengo to Al-Hilal - Undisclosed fee
The Colombian potential who was tipped to become one of South America most prominent defensive midfielders, decided to hit the Saudi pitches after he excelled at Flamengo. Could be a hit, or could destroy his career.
6. Han Kwang Song - Cagliari to Juventus - €5m
A young North Korean talent signs for Italian giants Juventus. A North Korean in Juventus. Yes.
7. Doan Van Hao - Hanoi FC to Heerenveen - €150k
Vietnam is one of the fastest emerging football nations in the world. Van Hao’s initial move to Holland is only the beginning.
8. Hichem Boudaoui - Paradou to Nice - €4m
A lot has been written about Algeria but this transfer is a direct result of the rising talent pool of the North African country. Hichem Boudaoui was nurtured in Paradou, a club that is literally became a talent factory in the past decade. With his signing for Nice, the French club has already three promising Algerians on the squad, together with Youcef Atal and Adam Ounas. The Algerian revolution is here to stay.
9. Ritsu Doan - FC Groningen to PSV - €7.5m
The Japanese diamond is one of the most thrilling players in Asia, and after a decent era in Groningen, which is a great place to develop your skills (just ask Arjen Robben), he is now ready to shine for the Phillips club. A great replacement for Lozano.
10. Vincent Janssen - Tottenham to Monterrey - €9m
We here about many Mexican players who go to play in Europe, recently mainly in the Netherlands. But a Dutch player who lands in Mexico? Janssen had us in from the very first moment.
11. Dani Alves - PSG to São Paulo - Free transfer
The active player with the most titles in the world, one of the best players in Europe in the past decade and a true legend of Brazilian football, has decided to come back to the club he supported before everything took off. What’s not to like here?
12. Nicolas Pepe - Lille to Arsenal - €80m
Probably the most exciting transfer in the Premier League this summer. Pepe is not only the most expensive African footballer of all time, and one of the most expensive transfer in the history of the Premier League. He is the complete young footballer package. Speed, ball control, technique, shooting, vision. Will he become Arsenal’s Drogba, or maybe the new Thierry Henry? The Gooners certainly hope so, because they won’t settle for the new Gervinho in this price.
13. Javier Hernandez - West Ham to Sevilla - €7.75m
When he was young and playing under Alex Ferguson, Chicharito had the world in his hands. Things changed, and his career took him to different places. Now it seems he will settle as he lands in Andalusia. Sometimes it seems that clubs are signing him for the millions of Mexicans followers that come with Chicharito, but in Sevilla he can actually go back to the European football front-line.
14. Mehdi Taremi - Al-Gharafa to Rio Ave - Free transfer
Mehdi Taremi is a wonderful story. The lethal Iranian forward who was banned for four months in 2018 after signing in Rizespor and Persepolis in the same time, missed a life-time opportunity to take Iran to the World Cup knockouts against Portugal and eventually came back to shape in Qatar - has finally landed in Europe. His first games in the Portuguese League do assure he is tipped for glory in Liga NOS.
15. Luis Diaz - Junior to Porto - €7m
The rising star of Colombian football shined in the Colombian league, starred in the Copa America under Carlos Queiroz in national team has landed in the best starting point for Colombians in Europe: Porto. Remember the name.
16. Matheus Uribe - America to Porto - €9m
Staying in the Dragão, with another Colombian. Mathues Uribe has burned the Mexican league in the past two years and he is ready and fit to shine for the Mexican-Colombian embassy in Europe, as mentioned, Porto.
17. Victor Osimehn - Charleroi to Lille - €12m
The future striker of the Nigerian Super Eagles enjoyed very little game time in the last AFCON, but his first games in Lille produce a definitive indication - the boy got talent and he knows how to score goals. Watch out Ligue 1.
18. Adam Ounas - Napoli to Nice - €2.5m (loan)
Another African Champion on this list, again at the French riviera club - Nice. Ounas needed to play on a weekly basis and it won’t happen in Napoli with the loaded attacking unit Carlo Ancelotti has built there. Nice is a good place to be, especially with two national comrades by your side.
19. Idrissa Gueye - Everton to PSG - €30m
All summer long PSG was trying to sell Neymar, what eventually did not happen, but filled the vibe around the club with a toxic atmosphere. Gueye’s arrival has softens the situation. A smart, hardworking player who is a national hero in Senegal. For its own healthy dressing room, Paris need more ‘Gueye’s’ and less Neymar’s and Icardi’s.
20. Edson Alvarez - America to Ajax - €15m
If you need define love from first sight, just put a photo of Alvarez and Ajax fans. The Mexican full-back is becoming an indispensable asset for the Dutch champions and seems like one of the best moves in the market for this window.
21. Ismaila Sarr - Stade Rennais to Watford - €30m
If you watched a bit of French football last season, there is no chance you are not aware of the talented and thin kid who simply lighted up the stadiums all over France, including against PSG and OM. With a massive price tag, it is on him to prove he is capable to enjoy the game on the same way, also in England. Follow him closely.
22. Malcom - Barcelona to Zenit - €40m
What goes around comes around. Last summer, all of Europe was chasing after the Brazilian when he was playing for Bordeaux, and AS Roma has acquired his services. In the last minute, he took an extreme right and signed for Barcelona. It wasn’t meant to be. Now he is in Russia. Zenit are a great club, but Malcom will need to shine in every Champions League appearance he’ll get. Otherwise, he’ll be gone from the radar for good.
23. Moussa Djenepo - Standard Liège Southampton - €15.7m
This young Malian is a symbol of the talented generation of Malians, who shined in U17 and U20 World Cups as well as in the previous AFCON. Djenepo is indeed a diamond, and if Hasenhuttl will know how to use him, Southampton has a future Premier League star in the making with a fascinating talent.
24. Keylor Navas - Real Madrid to PSG - €15m
One of the greatest victims of the new Real Madrid. Keylor Navas is a great sportsman, a terrific goalkeeper and one of the silent protagonists of Real’s golden era under Zinedine Zidane. PSG will definitely enjoy his good temper, professional attitude and agility in goal. With more Navas’s and Gueye’s Paris will grow higher and deeper.
25. Ianis Hagi - Viitorul to Genk - €4m
The son of ‘Maradona of the Carpathians’ Gheorge Hagi, is making his first steps outside Romanian football, and his father protective reality. Ianis is extremely talented and mature in his style, already showing glimpses of brilliance on the pitch, that can remind many a bit of his father. Genk is a good place to gain experience. Just ask Kevin de Bruyne.
26. Jan Hurtado - Gimnasia La Plata to Boca Juniors - €6.75m
The first Venezuelan in the history of Boca Juniors. This alone, should keep him a place on this list.
27. Ismael Bennacer - Empoli to AC Milan - €16m
The MVP of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations is probably one of the best bargains on that list. A combative, creative, fast and strong mini engine in the midfield for Algeria in Egypt, is now all these things for the drowning Empire of Milan, that struggles to go back to its glory days. With Bennacer everything is possible.
28. Ante Rebic - Eintracht Frankfurt to AC Milan - €5m (loan)
Milan has also won the services of Ante Rebic - one of the biggest riddles of this window. Rebic have experienced a few good seasons in the Bundesliga and an impressive World Cup in Russia, but eventually was overshadowed by Luka Jovic’s great form. Now it his chance to prove who’s the best Balkan striker to come out from Eintracht.
29. Luka Jovic - Eintracht Frankfurt to Real Madrid - €60m
Oh Jovic, Jovic. The striker who has experienced a terrific season with Frankfurt and won a justified move to the Spanish mega club, suddenly fell out of favor with his coach - Zidane. The Serb must stay focused and sharp and take his chance at the hottest pot in world football, otherwise, the road to Las Palmas or Rayo Vallecano could be faster than he thinks. Follow closely for one of two possibilities: He struggles to create a partnership with Benzema, or the other way around - netting a double figure goal chart in La Liga.
30. Giovanni Lo Celso - Real Betis to Tottenham Hotspurs - €16m (loan)
There are very few players left in world football who lit your mind like Lo Celso. The Argentinean is tipped for glory in a while now, and he is marked as one of those who will need to carry the post-Messi era in Argentine football soon. Spurs with a massive deal here, also for the future if they can keep him.
31. Youcef Belaïli - Esperance Tunis to Al-Ahli Jeddah - Undisclosed fee
A few years back, Belaïli was banned for four years using cocaine. He claimed he was innocent and it was just a shisha that he smoked that had leftovers or so, but - he spent two years away of football. Yet, he was the MVP of African Champions League two years in a row, one of the key players in Algeria’s winning run in the 2019 AFCON, and now will enjoy a well deserved salary in the financial heaven which is the Saudi Pro League.
32. Amoory - Al-Hilal to Al-Jazira - Free transfer
In 2016 nobody believed that such a move is even possible. Omar Abdulrahman was the best player in Asia, arguably one of the best in the world outside Europe, and was directing his career to Spain and France. In less than three years, and Amoory has made a silent comeback after a horrific injury he suffered while playing for Saudi giants Al-Hilal. Is the magic still there? Al-Jazira, the pride of Abu Dhabi, better hope it is.
33. Jean Michael Seri - Fulham to Galatasaray - €1.5m (loan)
Two years ago Jean Michael Seri was among the most promising talents in the world. An effective and strong midfielder that can easily dominate in any league he will choose. After an average minus season in Fulham, Seri is now looking to kick his career path back up in the volcano of Galatasaray.
34. Vedat Muriqi - Rizespor to Fenerbahce - €3.5m
From the European side of Istanbul to the Asian one. A Kosovar striker who scores a volley on his Fenerbahçe debut. Vedat Muriqi earned his place in this list with style.
35. Merih Demiral - Sassulo to Juventus - €18m
Not sure if he imagined this situation is even possible, but Merih Demiral has managed to join Juventus to learn play from his hero - Giorgio Chiellini, while becoming Cristiano Ronaldo’s favourite practice partner. The future is big for this young Turk, as he sets high records for the emerging and fascinating generation of young talented Turkish footballers. Worth a follow.
36. Eder Militao - Porto to Real Madrid - €50m
Life in football isn’t always easy. Sometimes you just play so good so Real Madrid decides to pour 50 million euros for you, and then the stress starts. Eder Militao’s press conference in Real Madrid will be remembered as the player couldn’t cope with the pressure and the questions from journalists. It will be interesting to see how well he’ll adapt to the boiling atmosphere at the Bernabeu.
37. Joelinton - Hoffenheim to Newcastle - €44m
Newcastle United is buying a Brazilian leading talent for more than 40 million euros. What a time to be alive. Joelinton had the time of his life in Hoffenheim under Julian Nagelsmann. He has the qualities to enjoy the Premier League as well, but if not, the Geordies are not in a situation to suffer such expensive flops. A hard task for him to prove he is worth it.
38. Alex Iwobi - Arsenal to Everton - €30.4m
Once a role model for Arsenal kids and fans across the world, Alex Iwobi has left the club to try and finally let his talent come out naturally and freely. It is already clear that he is nowhere close to the level of his uncle, Jay Jay Okocha, but maybe in a less stressful club without the expectations to carry the Arsenal identity on his shoulders he can simply play good football and be a leading contributor to a great English club.
39. Shoya Nakajima - Al-Duhail to Porto - €12
Another fascinating Asian on this list. Nakajima is a rare story of football transfers. From Tokyo FC to Portimonense in Portugal, than to Al-Duhail in Qatar for 35 million euros and at last directly to Porto. Nakajima is a well traveled footballer already, who is enjoyed the Qatari connections so far in his career taking care of his salary on movements. Now he is in for the real deal. Porto is a huge club and he must start producing some magic out of his talent.
40. Alexis Sanchez - Manchester United to Inter - Loan
Back in 2015 and 2016, Alexis was on top of the world. Twice a South American champion with Chile, a star for Arsenal that produced amazing performances in the EPL - the full package for a football star. But in a few torrid months, he failed to qualify to the 2018 World Cup, then moved to Manchester United, and everything changed. Maybe a return to Italy, where he was brilliant in the beginning of his career, would be good for him.
41. Diego Godin - Ateltico Madrid to Inter - Free transfer
A godfather of the Garra Charrua, the face of Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in the past decade is leaving for another challenge, maybe the last one of his career. It is a classic match, in addition to the combination with Antonio Conte, Godin could squeeze what has left in him, and Inter can make a dream season.
42. Cheick Diabate - Emirates Club to Esteghlal Tehran - Free transfer
In the past season the Persian Gulf Pro League has seen some major transfers by Tractor Sazi, but the biggest name to land in the Iranian football scenario this year is actually former Bordeaux man who will try to prevent Persepolis from a third consecutive title. See you in the Theran derby, Cheick.
43. Marvelous Nakamba - Club Brugge to Aston Villa - €12m
A Zimbabwean lands in the Premier League with a newly promoted team. Thoughts of Benjani Mwaruwari, anyone? Villa with a marvellous potential here that can blossom in England.
44. Christian Pulisic - Dortmund to Chelsea - €64m
The USA man who for years is being entitled as the next big thing out of America, got himself a serious chance to make history. If he’ll become Chelsea’s saviour this season, he’ll overcome the shadow that scares many American footballers playing abroad: Landon Donovan.
45. Nguyễn Công Phượng - Hoang Anh Gia Lai to St. Truiden - Loan
Anyone following Asian football knows who Cong Phuong is. The guy is simply one of the brightest football minds that came from the eastern part of the world in recent years. A good run in the Belgian league, and maybe we will the see the Vietnamese attacking midfielder plying his trade in a bigger market.
46. Mohanad Ali - Al-Shorta to Al-Duhail - €1.8m
Juventus, Manchester City, Fenerbahçe and the list goes on. So many clubs were related to ‘Meme’, the Iraqi teenage revelation of the Asian Cup, but eventually, somehow, he ended up at Al-Duhail in Qatar. Definitely a weird move that makes you think whether the decision was all professional or not, but one thing is sure - in the Qatari league he will play, he can score and maybe, if it will be still relevant in the future, we might see him in Europe. Otherwise, it’s another story of an Iraqi talent that was very close, but eventually we never saw in Europe.
47. Percy Tau - Brighton to Club Brugge - Loan
The Lion of Judea they call him, and it is clear why. Percy Tau doesn’t waste chances. He is always focused on his personal success, but in a team that knows how to use it, he seems like one of the mot promising players in Europe at the moment. The Bafana Bafana man is waiting for his work permit in the UK, and meanwhile has guided Brugge to Champions League group stage almost by himself. Beware Europe!
48. Florin Andone - Brighton to Galatasaray - €700k (loan)
Quite an unstable character, but Romanian forward Florin Andone can be a great partner for Falcao in the Galatasaray attack. If his head will be on spot, and with the support from the Ultra Arslan, he is a true potential to become a fan favorite at the Ali Sami Yen.
49. Nahitan Nandez - Boca Juniors to Cagliari - €18m
When you think of an Uruguayan footballer, you think about Nahitan Nandez. He has it all. The spirit, the mind, the sacrifce mode, the will to die for any ball, and the vision. A pure model of the famous Garra Charrua and a name that has been going around Europe for a while. Cagliari knew why they paid this much on him. They will sell him fast, for much more.
50. Eduardo Salvio - Benfica to Boca Juniors - €7m
After seven years in Benfica, Eduardo Salvio has returned home. Some would say it is a much more influential purchase by Boca than the one of Daniele De Rossi, but in any case he adds the team what they needed the most - accuracy, experience and coolness.