The 2020 summer transfer window officially closed on the 5th of October. Despite the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, football clubs were still very much active during the window, albeit the transfer record wasn’t broken this time around.
Chelsea were the biggest spenders — splashing more than £200m — while Barcelona managed to avoid a catastrophe by desperately keeping hold of Lionel Messi despite the Argentine’s transfer request.
Here are TOP SOCCER BLOG’s top 10 transfers from the just concluded window.
1. KAI HAVERTZ (BAYER LEVERKUSEN TO CHELSEA)
Havertz caught the attention of elite clubs with his impressive displays for Leverkusen last season. Chelsea won the race for his signature, making him the second most expensive player in their history at £70m.
Havertz scored 18 goals and provided 9 assists in 45 games in all competitions last season and has already notched his first-ever career hat-trick at Chelsea to go with an assist in 5 games so far.
2. JAMES RODRIGUEZ (REAL MADRID TO EVERTON)
James’ return to Madrid from his loan spell at Bayern last season didn’t go well as he made just 14 appearances in all competitions. He moved to Everton for just £20m this summer to link up with former boss Carlo Ancelotti, and the move is fast becoming like a match made in heaven. Rodriguez has hit the ground running with 3 goals and 3 assists in just 5 games so far, with his transfer fee seeming like a bargain for Everton with each passing game.
3. HAKIM ZIYECH (AJAX TO CHELSEA)
One of the masterminds behind Ajax incredible run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019, Ziyech has been on the radar of Europe’s top teams for a while. Chelsea managed to sign him for just £33m — a fair deal considering the Moroccan’s repertoire of skills and the amount paid on players these days.
With the exits of Eden Hazard and Willian, Chelsea needed another creator, and Ziyech fits the bill — he provided an impressive 21 assists in all competitions last season, scoring 8 goals.
4. THOMAS PARTEY (ATHLETICO MADRID TO ARSENAL)
Arsenal were linked to Partey all summer with the player also keen on moving to London, but Athletico remained defiant in the negotiations till the Gunners eventually activated the £45m release clause in the Ghanaian’s contract. Partey is seen as the ideal signing to complement Mikel Arteta ‘s team.
5. TIMO WERNER (RB LEIPZIG TO CHELSEA)
Timo Werner was on fire last season as he netted 34 goals and provided 13 assists in 45 matches. The German was courted by numerous top sides but opted to join Chelsea in a deal worth £47m. Werner has already scored a goal and provided an assist in 5 games so far while showing glimpses of his potentials.
6. VICTOR OSIMHEN (LILLE TO NAPOLI)
Osimhen was one of the hottest young players in Europe last season with his impressive performances in front of goal for Lille. The Nigerian striker ended the season with 18 goals and 6 assists in all competitions. Amid interest from the Premier League, Napoli signed him in a deal that will potentially rise to €80m — making him the most expensive African footballer in history.
The 21-year-old scored consecutive hat-tricks in his first two friendly games for Gattuso’s side.
7. LEROY SANE (MANCHESTER CITY TO BAYERN MUNICH)
After many previous attempts, Bayern finally landed Sane this summer. He was signed for £44m despite the fact that he has just one year left on the contract. The German will boost the ranks of the European champions and already has a goal and two assists in 3 games so far.
Sane scored 39 goals and provided 45 assists in 135 appearances for Man City.
8. GARETH BALE (REAL MADRID TO TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS)
Bale moved from Tottenham to Real Madrid in 2013 for a then world-record fee. He achieved success in his time at Madrid but fell out with the club last season — with the Welshman making just 20 appearances in all competitions. He secured a loan return to Spurs this summer and is expected to take Jose Mourinho’s side to a higher level alongside the likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.
Bale scored 105 goals and provided 68 assists in 251 matches for Real while in his previous spell with Tottenham, he scored 56 goals and provided 58 assists in 203 games.
9. MAURO ICARDI (INTER MILAN TO PSG)
A proven goalscorer at the highest level, Icardi joined PSG on loan from Inter last season. He linked up well with the likes of Neymar, Mbappe, and Di Maria and scored 20 goals ( 4 assists) in 34 games. Icardi’s performances convinced PSG to release Edinson Cavani and permanently sign him for £45m.
10. ACHRAF HAKIMI (REAL MADRID TO INTER MILAN)
A versatile and utility player, Hakimi impressed on loan at Borussia Dortmund in the last two seasons, but the German side couldn’t come up with the funds to sign him permanently.
Inter Milan pounced after Antonio Conte identified the Moroccan’s ability to fit in perfectly to his playing style and improve the team significantly. Inter paid €40m to Real Madrid for Hakimi’s services.
His regular overlapping runs makes him a threat to the opposition — he provided 10 assists and scored 9 goals for Dortmund last season and already has 2 assists and a goal in 3 games at Inter. Impressive stats for a defender!
