Top 10 football transfers - summer 2008

Except Euro 2008 this summer the football world will remember the transfer activities of the clubs all across Europe. Real Madrid made a huge campaign chasing C. Ronaldo, but Milan and Barca were the most active clubs in the transfer market. Barcelona spent over 100 M Euros for the signatures of Dani Alves, Caceres, Hleb, Keita and Henrique, and on the other hand they sold Ronaldinho, Deco, Dos Santos, Zambrota and Edmilson. Milan signed Ronaldinho, Flamini, Shevchenko and Zambrota.

10. Ezequiel Garay from Racing Santander to Real Madrid (10 M €)

This Argentine youngster is the one of the hottest prospects of the Argentinean football. He is only 21 and already was a part of the Argentinean Olympic team that won the golden medal. Garay was on the verge of joining Barcelona this summer but in the last moment the Catalonian team decided not to make the approach. Los Merengues were fast enough and signed the player for only 10 M Euros. For instance, one month later Barcelona signed Martin Caceres from Villareal for a much larger amount (17 M). Later this summer Garay was returned to his old club Racing on a one season loan, and he will join Madrid next season.


9. Robinho from Real Madrid to Manchester city (41 M €)

Madrid’s chase over Ronaldo this summer made Robinho’s agent start to think that his client will be on the way out of Bernabeu. Or maybe he realized that he won’t be their biggest star in the future so he decided to fight for his escape from Real Madrid. Ronaldo’s transfer failed but Robinho already declared his wish to join Chelsea (they offered him 6 M per year, instead of Madrid’s 5 M). Chelsea hasn’t met the demanding price of 40 M Euros so everybody thought Robinho will be Blanco for another year. Then Al Nahyan's Abu Dhabi group took-over Manchester City and the new mega-rich owners made approach for Robinho with the biggest transfer fee this summer. All in all, everybody came out satisfied with this transfer. Real Madrid got rid of their disgruntled player, Man. C. acquired their first super-transfer and Robinho left the Spanish capital as he desired.


8. Ronaldinho from Barcelona to Milan (20 M €)

Sometimes the best player of the world, his last 2 seasons at Nou Camp were a real nightmare. In his last matches under Rijkard he was just a substitution and everybody thought his glory days were gone. But, despite his poor physical condition and his wild nightlife a lot of clubs were interested in Ronaldonho. There were rumors about him joining Chelsea, Manchester city, Fenerbahce and even LA Galaxy, but in the end he put a pen to the paper for a 3 year contract and moved to Milano. Some say it was a good deal, some the opposite. But in fact Blaugrana let go their legend that brought them back the Spanish and European glory in 2006, but the following 2 seasons were far below the limits. For them, Ronaldinho’s poor form was the reason. For the Rossoneri this was risky decision because of the player’s lack of professionalism, but his talent may rise again and then this transfer will definitely be a good move. For the player personally this is fantastic move because I hope he will never be booed at San Siro.


7. Daniel Alves from Sevilla to Barcelona (32 M €)

Dani Alves is 25 and is one of the best right wingbacks nowadays. Absolutely good signing but what I don’t fully agree is the price of the player. Sevilla got a habit to sell players to the larger clubs for boosted prices since Sergio Ramos and Baptista moved to Real Madrid and now Keita (15 M) and Alves to Barcelona. Barcelona sold Zambrotta (who was one of their best players last 2 seasons, and can play equally good on the right and left wingback position) to Milan for only 9 M Euros and that’s why I think that the price of Alves is too high. However, the time will show was this transfer profitable.


6. Hleb from Arsenal to Barcelona (15 M €)

Aliaksandr Hleb, age 27 is a Belarusian midfielder and one of the best Barcelona’s signings this summer. He was brought to Camp Nou as a replacement for Ronaldinho. I think that 15 M could be a very low price for the former Arsenal man. He is a versatile midfielder, can play upfront, and on the both sides, also high professional opposite of his predecessor in the Catalonian squad. The only thing Barcelona’s authorities should be aware of is his fragility, he missed few months on a several occasions during his time with the Gunners. We hope he’ll have a good season in Barcelona without injuries.


5. Berbatov from Tothenham to Manchester United (38 M €)

Dimitar Berbatov, the Bulgarian forward was a long-time desire for the Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson. One of the longest transfer dramas was put to its end just before the deadline of the transfer period. Tothenham officials first said that Berbatov can be sold to every other club except United, than Manchester City got involved in the pursue which was not very well accepted by the player, and in the end the 30.7 M £ offer from Manchester United closed the deal. Berbatov appeared to be happy about the move. Too much money or not, we’re about so see.


4. Deco from Barcelona to Chelsea (10 M €)

Only 10 M? That was the first reaction of Barca fans about this transfer. Unbelievably low price for the Portuguese midfielder who has just turned 31 but he is still capable of offering some fantastic displays. When Rijkard left the bench in Barcelona, more than obvious were the departures of Ronaldinho, Deco and Eto’o. Deco was the first to leave the Catalan club and fly up to London after the new Blues boss Scolari showed an interest in the former Porto man. His 3-year contract is worth 8 M £ (10 M €). Deco has started EPL campaign with a fantastic success on the 17 of August when Chelsea beat Portsmouth and Deco was the Man of the match. Great signing for Chelsea and a pretty big loss for Barcelona.


3. Flamini from Arsenal to Milan (free transfer)

After 4 years spent with Arsenal, Mathieu Flamini (24) decided to swap England for Italy. On 8 April the French national team player played the last match for Arsenal and few weeks later he joined A.C. Milan signing 4-year contract which will guarantee him 5.6 M € per season. Maybe his wage is little over that what he can contribute but grabbing this fantastic player with no fee is Milan’s absolutely best signing this year. For the player it is unnecessary to mention his great personal acquisition, but he is a little loss for Arsenal. Fortunately for the Gunners, they added Nasri on their squad list.


2. Nasri from Marseille to Arsenal (17 M €)

Gunners may have lost Flamini, but they secured the services of Nasri. Samir Nasri, the French wunderkind with Algerian roots is the best Arsenal’s signing this summer and maybe the best in England overall. He made his way into the French national team and he has proved himself as one of the best playmakers worldwide despite the fact that he is only 21. The Gunners boss Wenger was eager to get Nasri and after long turmoil he finally got him signing long-term contract with the North London club. Nasri made fantastic debuts in the Premier League – with a goal, and in the qualification round for the CL against FC Twente – with a goal too. His career is in front of him and the world football audience expects to see his magic on the pitch.


1. Rafael van der Vaart from Hamburg to Real Madrid (13 M €)

After failing to land C. Ronaldo, and Robinho already pushing his way out of Madrid, Los Merengues seemed to be in bad position with their summer transfer activities. While Schuster was demanding signing at least one striker and one midfield player, the board seemed to be satisfied with the current squad. But on the 4 of August a great agreement was made between Calderon and Hamburg officials for the future of the Dutch superstar Van der Vaart. Next day VDV signed a 5-year deal with The Blancos and fulfilled the Dutch colony in Real Madrid. He is only 25 and has great records behind him but also a bright future in the Spanish capital. He was delighted with the move in the team and started off the good campaign in the pre-season. He was given the number 23 – number that he has been wearing for his entire career and the previous owner of the 23 Snejder was given the respectable number 10 (after Robinho left). With such a small amount of money this transfer is considered as a transfer “robbery” and is definitely the best signing in Europe this summer.