Transfer Window Best XI: The Eleven Best Signings Around Europe This Summer

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A lineup of the best signings made around Europe in this summer’s transfer window.

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There was plenty of excitement going into this summer as clubs looked set to spend like never before. With the likes of mega-rich Manchester City, PSG and Monaco now on the market and clubs cashing in on some star names, there was plenty of movement in this transfer window, with too many big names to possibly fit into one starting eleven. Still, here is the very pick of the best signings made by clubs around Europe in each position on the pitch.

Defence

Simon Mignolet (Liverpool) – After a highly impressive season with Sunderland last year it was no surprise to see Belgian shot-stopper Simon Mignolet leave the Stadium of Light for a bigger team this summer, and Liverpool were the benefactors as they snapped him up for just £9m, ahead of the likes of Arsenal and Napoli. The 25-year-old marked his debut with a fine penalty save at Anfield, and already looks a great addition to the club, who had relied on the in-decline Pepe Reina for far too long.

Daniel Carvajal (Real Madrid) – The Spanish right-back spent just one season with Bayer Leverkusen before Real Madrid exercised their buy-back clause in his contract to bring him back to the Bernabeu. Having initially failed to break into the first-team as a youngster, Carvajal has now shown his tremendous potential with his displays in the Bundesliga, where he managed 1 goal and 7 assists from defence last season. His attacking instincts should go down a treat for Los Blancos fans this season, and he makes a significant upgrade on Alvaro Arbeloa in that position. Undoubtedly one of the best defensive purchases this summer.

Eric Abidal (Monaco) – In the opposite full-back position, Eric Abidal looks the best purchase of the summer, as the likes of Leighton Baines, Luke Shaw and Fabio Coentrao never ended up making the proposed moves that circulated in the media. The 34-year-old has had a difficult time of late with a lengthy spell out through illness, but his quality and experience makes him a valuable asset to this new team being formed by Claudio Ranieri.

Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid) – There was a long queue of clubs lining up to sign Toby Alderweireld this summer, many of them in the Premier League, though the highly-rated Belgian was eventually snapped up by Spanish side Atletico Madrid. The versatile and strong defender should be a top addition for Diego Simeone’s side and will no doubt be one to keep looking out for if he continues to impress.

Marquinhos (PSG) – A highly exciting defensive prospect, Brazilian teenager Marquinhos spent just one season with Serie A side Roma before PSG were willing to pay around £27m to sign him this summer. This strong and intelligent centre-back looks set to become the best in the world in the next few years, and will surely prove to be worth every penny if he continues his remarkable rise in Ligue 1. Although he has a lot to live up to now, he made the step up from Brazilian football very quickly last season and shows no signs of fear at any level.

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