The Transfer Window: Roundup

Introduction

The transfer window always is an exciting time of the year. It’s the time of the year where drama is in full swing. All kinds of speculation, rumors, and news come up. Due to the pandemic, everything is messed up yet this window being a strange one lived up to its expectation of high-intensity and drama Now that the transfer window is shut. Let’s revisit and see the major storyline of the window.

The Classic Ed Woodward Show

As the window began, Sancho to Manchester United started. Finally, it looked like Manchester United would get their man. No doubt the guy is talented and United are in desperate need of it. But as usual, those rumors and speculation never materialized. 

Several reports came that personal terms between parties were agreed but the two clubs never reached a suitable agreement. The German club was firm on its price tag of 120million. But Manchester United kept playing the game of brinkmanship in the hope that the German club would bulge. Stories kept on coming but nothing happened on an official level.

Then came nothing but mere silence, a classic Ed Woodward move. It seemed like the Red part of Manchester went into a coma. No moves made for the player’s nothing was happening, but suddenly as deadline day came Manchester United came out of the coma and was looking like a fish out of water doing everything to save itself.

Finally, United managed to get in few signings as they announced the additions of Cavani, Tellas, and other two names out of the blue. They also added Amad Diallo and Facundo Pellestri to the already existing signing of  Donny Van de Beek. However, they missed out on what they actually needed, a quality center back to bolster their shaky defense.

The 24 hours: Premier League Champions

Throughout the window, the Champions of England kept on saying they are facing serve consequences of the Pandemic. Thus no signings will be done this transfer window. 

True to their words they were quiet for the most of the window. But it just took them 24 hours. Within 24 hours, the champions managed to get their prime target which they wanted to get in throughout this window as Thiago joined them from Bayern Munich. It was followed by a rather surprising move for Wolves as their forward Diogo Jota also joined the Reds in a 45m valued deal. 

The Spenders

The Blues of London spent nearly 250 million on transfers when other clubs are struggling with their finances amid the pandemic. Despite Lampard being a guy for the youth, he took full advantage of the club’s checkbook and has brought in top-notch talents. 

Chelsea signed players like Werner, Havertz, Ziyech, Chilwell, Silva, Malang Sarr, Mendy. However now after spending big bucks pressure will be on Lampard to deliver results. Unfortunately, early signs are not that encouraging as they were outplayed by Brighton, lost to Liverpool, and drew against West Brom Albion.

Surprise Suprise

Now if you got to know, that Los Blancos of all teams haven’t signed any player this season. Wouldn’t it be a surprise? 

And yes it is true for the first time in god knows how long Real Madrid hasn’t signed any player in this transfer window.  All they have done this window is clean up. The deadwood and extra players were either sold or loaned out. They have made close to 100m from just player sales this season. But by far the biggest deal for them in this transfer window was to shift out Gareth Bale who was killing a major chunk of their wage bill. They somehow managed to send Bale on Loan to his former club Spurs. 

The Shocker

By far the news of this Transfer window will be Certain Argentian sending that infamous Burofax.

For Barcelona supporters who were already suffering from a disastrous season. But the start of the new season was even tougher for them as there came a shocker that the best player on the planet wants to leave FC Barcelona. It seemed like the little man from Argentina had enough of it. He sent that infamous burofax stating that he was a free agent due to a clause in his contract and thus he wants to leave. There was a complete breakdown of the relationship between the board and the player. All the failures be it on the field or off the field forced the Argentian to call for action.

Now the question was if not Barcelona who could have afforded those astronomical wages, plus Barca said since a year is left on his contract they want a transfer fee, which would be a hefty one.

In the end, only two options were left either reuniting with his partner from MSN days, Neymar at PSG, or with the man who admired him the most, Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Messi to City was looking like it was done but in the end, due to an eminent court battle between him and the club that he loves was foreseen Messi decides to stay and continue at Barca.

The D-Day Drama!

Amid the pandemic, the deadline day was the 5th of October instead of the usual 31st of August. The day started with Arsenal who was struggling for funds throughout the window triggering the Release Clause of Thomas Partey. of 50 million and also giving one of their own in exchange for a loan deal in form of Lucas Torreira to Athletico Madrid.

The day went on unfolding and strange deals took place. 2014 World cup winner Mario Gotze signing for PSV Eindhoven on a free transfer while Barca’s.Rafinha moved to PSG. Bayern’s Douglas Costa also moved on loan from Italian Champions Juventus. But by far the strangest deal of this window will be Bayern signing Eric-Maxim-Choupo-Moting. What a journey that guy has had from being a Stroke City reject to Champions League Finalist at PSG and now to the current  European Champions.