A best eleven of summer signings by top European clubs.
SEE MORE: FIFA 2015 Player Ratings Revealed.
It has been another exciting transfer window with plenty of new faces set to turn out for some of Europe’s biggest clubs next season, with CaughtOffside already finding some tricky choices to make in an attempt to name a best XI of this summer’s new signings.
Featuring some expensive ‘Galactico’ deals as well as some astute cut-price deals, including two free agents, see below for a run through of an all-star European XI made up entirely of new signings for next season.
New signings for Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool feature alongside some exciting Real Madrid and Barcelona deals, though there are some notable absentees in midfield and attack with too much top talent to choose from moving around this summer.
Goalkeeper and defence:
GK: Neylor Navas (Real Madrid) – A superb addition in goal, the Costa Rican shot-stopper arrives from Levante after some outstanding performances in La Liga last season and at this summer’s World Cup. A great replacement for the declining Iker Casillas at the Bernabeu.
DR: Bacary Sagna (Manchester City) – A smart signing on a free transfer, Bacary Sagna has joined Manchester City after seeing out his contract at previous club Arsenal. One of the most solid defenders in the Premier League, the experienced Frenchman can fill in on either side or even in the centre of defence.
DL: Filipe Luis (Chelsea) – After impressing in Atletico Madrid’s incredible title win last season, the Brazilian left-back has been brought in by Jose Mourinho as a replacement for Ashley Cole, and looks a more polished option than Manchester United’s high-profile purchase of England youngster Luke Shaw in the same position.
DC: Dejan Lovren (Liverpool) – Having settled in quickly to Premier League live, Dejan Lovren has made the move from Southampton to Liverpool, and looks a great signing to tighten up their defence.
DC: Jeremy Mathieu (Barcelona) – One of the most solid centre-backs in La Liga, Jeremy Mathieu may not have been the most high-profile target on Barcelona’s shortlist this summer, but arrives from Valencia to improve the side’s backline.
Midfield:
MC: Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona) – A superb midfield playmaker, Croatian star Ivan Rakitic was one of the outstanding midfielders in La Liga and all of Europe last season for his previous club Sevilla. A move to a bigger side seemed inevitable, and it is Barcelona who have brought him in as a long-term replacement for veteran midfield maestro Xavi, with the 26-year-old possessing all the qualities needed to be the side’s main creative hub for many years to come.
MC: Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) – After excelling in Bayern Munich’s recent treble success, Toni Kroos became one of the most in-demand midfielders in Europe this summer as he rejected offers of a new contract at the Allianz Arena for a new challenge. A host of other teams were rumoured to be in for the German World Cup winner, but he becomes the latest big name to jet in at the Bernabeu, and should provide Carlo Ancelotti’s side with even more quality on the ball from the middle of the park next season.
Attack:
AMR: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) – A £35m signing from Barcelona, Alexis Sanchez’s signing is another major statement of intent for Arsenal after they also brought in Mesut Ozil last year. The Chilean forward was superb for Barca last season and for his national side at the World Cup this summer, and will surely go down as one of the buys of the transfer window.
AML: Luis Suarez (Barcelona) – Although played best as a striker, versatile attacker Luis Suarez is one of the biggest names to move this summer after leaving Liverpool for Barcelona in a sensational £75m transfer. The Uruguayan should form a fine partnership with Lionel Messi, Neymar and co. at the Nou Camp and will no doubt be talked about as a great signing by the Catalan giants.
AMC: James Rodriguez (Real Madrid) – A £63m signing from AS Monaco, Rodriguez became one of the most talked about players of the summer after he starred for Colombia at this summer’s World Cup, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer. A true ‘Galactico’ for Madrid, Rodriguez will be one to look out for in 2014/15.
FC: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) – Despite strong competition from £32m Chelsea new-boy Diego Costa in the lone striker position, Robert Lewandowski’s free transfer to Bayern is an absolute steal for the club, as they poached the prolific Polish hitman from their main title rivals Borussia Dortmund.
European new signings XI in full: