Top 30 biggest signings in Europe this summer.
SEE ALSO: best Premier League players 2014/15
30) Alvaro Morata (Juventus)
One of the brightest prospects in Spanish football, Alvaro Morata ended a long-drawn out transfer saga after eventually moving from Real Madrid to Juventus, having also attracted strong interest from the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the summer.
29) Alvaro Negredo (Valencia)
A big-name departure from the Premier League, Alvaro Negredo made the deadline day move from Manchester City to Valencia on loan, with a view to a permanent move. Despite some strong form for City last season, the 29-year-old has quickly returned to La Liga after falling behind Stevan Jovetic in the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium.
SEE ALSO: Angel di Maria in Manchester United’s most expensive ever XI.
28) Dejan Lovren (Liverpool)
A top-class defensive signing for Liverpool, Dejan Lovren made the £20m move to Anfield from Southampton after a highly impressive debut season in English football last year. The solid Croatian international should help improve the defensive performances of Brendan Rodgers’ side as they look to bounce back in the title race this term.
27) Bacary Sagna (Manchester City)
Another top defender on the move this summer, Manchester City did well to snap up the highly reliable and experienced Bacary Sagna on a free transfer from rivals Arsenal, who will be devastated to see such a top player leave the club at the end of his contract.
26) Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund)
Although Shinji Kagawa did not make much of an impression for Manchester United during his two years with the club, he has received a hero’s welcome upon returning to his old club Borussia Dortmund, where he first established himself as a star. As far as fans of German football are concerned, this will go down as one of the most exciting deals of the summer.
25) Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona)
For a club in desperate need of new defenders, Barcelona will be delighted to have brought in Thomas Vermaelen from Arsenal for just £15m. The Belgian international has previously been one of the most solid centre-backs in Europe, even if his form in his last two years with the Gunners was far from him at his best.
24) Lazar Markovic (Liverpool)
One of the most exciting youngsters in Europe, Liverpool have spent big money on bringing Lazar Markovic to Anfield after he impressed tremendously at Benfica last season. Still only 20 years old, the Serbian winger looks set to become a key part of the Reds first-team this term.
23) Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
Although only signed as a backup player due to his age and waning influence, there’s no doubt that the return of club legend Didier Drogba to Chelsea should spell good news for Blues fans everywhere. The Ivory Coast striker remains a superb talent and, arriving on a free transfer from Galatasaray, should prove a great piece of business for his sheer influence in the dressing room.
22) Adam Lallana (Liverpool)
An exciting midfielder who may have a cost a bit much, Adam Lallana should end up being one who makes a big impact at Liverpool once he gets back to full fitness. The England international is one of three signings from Southampton this summer after he impressed greatly for the Saints last year.
21) Ander Herrera (Manchester United)
A classy midfield playmaker, Ander Herrera looks like possessing all the qualities Manchester United need in the middle of the park. The Spaniard finally moved from Athletic Bilbao after seeing a move to Old Trafford fall through late on last summer, and should shine in Louis van Gaal’s new-look side this season.
20) Xabi Alonso (Bayern Munich)
A somewhat surprise move late on in the transfer window, Xabi Alonso completed his transfer from Real Madrid to Bayern Munich to help fill the void of the injured Javi Martinez in defensive midfield. A Champions League winner with Real last season, the experienced Spaniard should make a great addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad.
19) Javier Hernandez (Real Madrid)
In another somewhat strange move by Real Madrid, who arguably shouldn’t have sold Alonso, Javier Hernandez has joined the Spanish giants on a season-long loan move from Manchester United to provide backup for first-choice forward Karim Benzema. Although talented, the Mexican international was hardly a key player for the Red Devils and is certainly not a ‘Galactico’ in the same bracket as some of the club’s other additions.
18) Danny Welbeck (Arsenal)
Another transfer saga that went right to the wire, Danny Welbeck eventually made the somewhat surprise move from Manchester United to rivals Arsenal in the final moments of deadline day. The England international will provide cover for the injured Olivier Giroud and could benefit from the chance of becoming first choice elsewhere after falling out of favour at United.
17) Filipe Luis (Chelsea)
A superb left-back, Filipe Luis should prove a good addition for Chelsea as they looked to bring in a replacement for the long-serving Ashley Cole, who left for AS Roma at the end of his contract. A title-winner with Atletico Madrid last season, Luis can surely help the Blues to glory this term.
16) Romelu Lukaku (Everton)
One of the best young strikers in the world, Romelu Lukaku became Everton’s club-record signing as he left Chelsea in a £28m deal. A hugely exciting transfer deal that truly sees a potentially world class talent make the move to one of the so-called smaller clubs, with many wondering why on earth he wasn’t given more of a chance to prove himself at Stamford Bridge.
15) Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona)
One of the top midfielders in Europe last season based on goals and assists from midfield, Ivan Rakitic is a highly exciting signing for Barcelona from Sevilla. The Croatian international looks to have settled in well at the Nou Camp and has all the qualities to prove a top long-term replacement for Xavi in the middle of the park.
14) Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
One of the most exciting young wingers in the world, Antoine Griezmann was rumoured to be attracting strong interest from Premier League giants such as Arsenal and Liverpool before he eventually left Real Sociedad for Atletico Madrid as Diego Simeone looks to rebuild his side after their incredible achievements last season.
13) Mario Mandzukic (Atletico Madrid)
Joining Griezmann at Atletico this summer is powerhouse Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic, who has joined the club after falling out of favour at Bayern Munich. The prolific centre-forward already looks a good addition and should help the club replace their departing star striker of last season.
12) Loic Remy (Chelsea)
In a late piece of business by Chelsea, the club moved brilliantly to sign prolific Frenchman Loic Remy as a replacement upfront for Fernando Torres, who has ended his Stamford Bridge nightmare by moving on a season-long loan to AC Milan. Arsenal and Liverpool were also linked with Remy for much of the summer, and it’s no surprise to see him move to a top club after his fine recent form.
11) Mehdi Benatia (Bayern Munich)
One of the best defenders in Europe last season, Bayern Munich added to their immense squad this summer by bringing in commanding Moroccan centre-back Mehdi Benatia from AS Roma. The likes of Manchester United and Chelsea had been chasing the 27-year-old after his fine displays in Serie A, and he should prove to be a superb signing by the Bavarian giants.
10) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
A hugely exciting deal for Arsenal fans and Premier League fans in general, Alexis Sanchez made the £35m move to the Emirates Stadium after a superb season for Barcelona last year and for Chile at this summer’s World Cup. With two goals already, Sanchez is showing his superb ability and continues the growing trend for the Gunners to compete with the big boys in the transfer market.
9) Mario Balotelli (Liverpool)
In need of a replacement for Luis Suarez, Liverpool have done brilliantly to sign former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli from AC Milan. The Italian international looks to have improved his form and consistency since his time with City, and will make a welcome addition back to the Premier League after a year and a half away.
8) Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Surely one of the best transfer bargains for a long time, Robert Lewandowski has made the free transfer to Bayern Munich from rivals Borussia Dortmund. The Polish goal machine has shown himself to be one of the best strikers in the world in recent years, and could be the signing that helps fire Pep Guardiola’s side back to the summit of European football again this term.
7) Radamel Falcao (Manchester United)
A great loan deal for Manchester United, Radamel Falcao becomes the latest big-name arrival at Old Trafford in this summer of big spending under new manager Louis van Gaal. The Colombian international has been chased by a whole host of top clubs in recent years and will finally show what he can do in the Premier League this season.
6) Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
An absolute steal at just £20m, Toni Kroos is an exciting purchase by Real Madrid this summer. The German international arrives at the Bernabeu as a World Cup winner with Germany, as well as having played a key role for Bayern Munich in their recent dominance in the Bundesliga and Europe.
5) James Rodriguez (Real Madrid)
Another ‘Galactico’ signing by Real Madrid president Fiorentino Perez, James Rodriguez was one of the most talked about players in the world this summer as he stole the show with his breathtaking performances for Colombia at the World Cup. Moving from AS Monaco in a deal believed to be around £63m, the 23-year-old is undoubtedly one of the most exciting transfer deals of the whole summer and will be one to watch in La Liga this season.
4) Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea)
Why Barcelona let Cesc Fabregas go is beyond almost everyone, but it is great to see former Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas back in the Premier League after his surprise £30m move to Chelsea. The Spanish playmaker has already shown his quality with some highly influential performances for Jose Mourinho’s side, giving them that spark they were missing in midfield.
3) Angel Di Maria (Manchester United)
The most expensive signing in British football history, Angel Di Maria made the move to Manchester United from Real Madrid towards the end of the summer in a £59.7m deal, becoming the Red Devils’ answer to a ‘Galactico’ transfer. The Argentine was superb for Real last season as they won the Champions League and Copa del Rey, and should add some much-needed creativity to this struggling United team.
2) Diego Costa (Chelsea)
A striker signing who is proving to be a real masterstroke by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, Diego Costa has continued the highly impressive form in front of goal that made him such a hit with Atletico Madrid in their title-winning season last year. The Brazilian-born Spanish international is undoubtedly one of the best attacking players in the world on current form, and looks like finally ending Chelsea’s problems upfront as his arrival has made them big favourites for the Premier League title.
1) Luis Suarez (Barcelona)
Perhaps the third best player in the world at the moment after team-mate Lionel Messi and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez made the move from Liverpool to Barcelona in a deal said to be worth a mammoth £75m. The Uruguayan was absolutely superb in the Premier League last season, finishing as top scorer with 31 goals in just 33 games, and scooping up both Player of the Year prizes. Despite his controversial moments, Suarez is a genuinely world class talent and one who could now continue his rise as one of the modern greats if he can shine alongside the other numerous stars at the Nou Camp.
SEE ALSO: Manchester United XI with Radamel Falcao.