Most expensive playing XI of the summer transfer window
Like every summer, the recently concluded transfer window saw an insane amount of money being spent and some really blockbuster moves that stood head and shoulders above others. Manchester United made their statement of intent with the €95m they splashed on Antony, whereas Liverpool had a look at their purse and forked out €75m to capture Darwin Nunez, who has been making waves last season.
Elsewhere, one of the most in-demand strikers in the world, Erling Haaland also made a big-money move, but given his recent performances, the €60m that Manchester City paid for his signature is already looking like quite the bargain.
With the transfer season behind us, it only makes sense we tried to build a playing XI of the most expensive players who were signed in the summer. The list doesn’t include the 11 most expensive players who made big money moves, instead, it’s the most expensive playing XI you could conjure up with all the players who jumped ship this summer.
We’ve gone with an adventurous 3-4-3 formation, but with the list of personnel we have on this list, it does look like a balanced team which could give any playing XI across the globe a run for their money.
Defense: Gavin Bazunu, Wesley Fofana, Matthijs de Ligt, Marc Cucurella
The summer transfer window wasn’t one where any of the goalkeepers hogged the limelight, but the one that really stood out in terms of the cost involved, Southampton’s signing of Gavin Bazunu from Manchester City makes the cut.
The Irishman spent last year on loan at Portsmouth and he really impressed after keeping 17 clean sheets across 46 appearances, prompting the Saints to shell out €14m.
Wesley Fofana made his debut for Chelsea in the recent 2-1 win over West Ham
After a lot of huffing and puffing, Chelsea finally got their man although Wesley Fofana didn’t come cheap. While Leicester City will be smiling their way to the bank, the Blues have finally found their man who will partner fellow summer signing Kalidou Koulibaly at the heart of their defence, after Jules Kounde pledged his loyalties to Barcelona.
Judging by the performances ever since he first put on a Bayern shirt, De Ligt seems to be loving life in Bavaria. He’s a proven performer, a calm head on young shoulders who should ideally thrive at the Allianz Arena. The Dutchman did command a big fee but he has all the abilities to justify the hefty price tag.
Even though Cucurella may not be a centre-back by trade, we’ve decided to pick the Spaniard since he was one of the most expensive defensive acquisitions in Europe. While he was on the radar of Manchester City, Brighton priced them out, and Chelsea swooped in to acquire his services.
Midfield: Antony, Casemiro, Tchouameni, Raphinha
In one of the most prolonged transfer sagas of the summer window, Manchester United finally got their man, making Antony the second-most expensive signing in the club’s history.
The talented Brazilian scored a goal on his debut, against Arsenal and there couldn’t have been a better introduction for the 22-year-old. The Red Devils will be hoping for many more glorious moments from him.
From one Erik Ten Hag signing to the other, at first, even the most ardent United fan wouldn’t have imagined that the five-time Champions League winner would swap Real Madrid for Old Trafford. But the Reds remained hopeful and the midfield enforcer also decided to take on a new adventure. Casemiro is a proven winner and should be one of the most names on the team sheet.
Tchouameni was on the radar of PSG and Liverpool, but he chose Real Madrid
On to the Santiago Bernabeu now, Tchouameni was one of the most prodigious talents in Ligue 1. Even Kylian Mbappe reportedly tried to pursue the French teenager to sign for PSG, but he had his heart set on a move to the Spanish capital. Signed as the heir to Casemiro’s throne, once the Brazilian decided to pursue a new adventure, the 22-year-old has already shown glimpses that Madrid may have a star in their ranks
On his debut, Raphinha scored a wonder goal against Inter Miami and followed it up by scoring against Barcelona’s arch-rivals Real Madrid. The Brazilian has the skills and the panache which Xavi wanted from his wingers, and the fee could look like a bargain if the versatile winger can live up to his billing at Camp Nou.
Strikers: Erling Haaland, Alexander Isak, Darwin Nunez
In just six league appearances, the Norwegian phenom has already bagged two hat-tricks, and he’s already in double digits in terms of goals scored (10). Man City knew they had to be quick in order to secure Haaland’s signature, but boy-oh-boy, they seem to have found the perfect replacement to fill in Sergio Aguero’s boots.
Alexander Isak is the first true big-money signing from Newcastle United since they were taken over by the Saudi Arabia-backed consortium, the Magpies have invested in one of the most potent young strikers across Europe whom they will hope will carry this Newcastle side to the top pyramids of modern-day football.
With 34 goals across all competitions last season, Darwin Nunez was one of the hot prospects coming into the summer transfer window and Liverpool moved swiftly to acquire his services. Nunez will have a big void to fill, with Sadio Mane gone, and the hefty price tag will come with its burden, but he certainly has the talents to be a success at Anfield.