Answering Some of this Summer’s Biggest Transfer Questions
With each transfer window, new drama arises and it can be quite difficult to comprehend what has already happened, along with predicted what will happen in the future. PSF’s Paolo Confino, Son Thai, and Stephen Bole answer some of the biggest questions of the summer as this window is just getting started.
In your eyes, who is the top available free transfer?
Stephen Bole: Given that Antonio Rudiger has already signed for Real Madrid, the best currently available free agent in my eyes would be Paul Pogba. Yes, his time with Manchester United was undoubtedly a failure, but the club failed him just as much as his performances were inconsistent. Wherever Pogba lands, odds are the club would do more to put him in successful positions than United did, and we all know how good of a midfielder he can be. If he does end up back at Juve, he would add some much needed creativity to their midfield, and I think he would thrive.
Son Thai: I think over the past years, Paulo Dybala has solidified himself as a top attacker, and he can play the second striker role as well as the number 10 role. Even with injuries, he managed to score 15 goals and bag 6 assists for Juventus last season, with a good performance with the Argentina national team to round up the summer. His creativity and brilliance can be utilized by top-table teams for the near future, considering that Dybala is still 28 years old. Inter Milan seems to be leading the race at the moment.
Paolo Confino: Angel Di Maria. Anyone who is put off by his birthdate would do well to fire up a few Di Maria highlight reels or, better yet, watch some of PSG’s Ligue 1 games. *gasp*
Di Maria has a level of quality that is reserved for Europe’s elite. Not just because of his status—he’s played for the biggest clubs in Spain, England, France, and Portugal—or statistics–138 goals and 208 assists, but in the way touches the ball and can manipulate it to do what he wants in a variety of technical and tactical contexts. He’s versatile enough to play as a winger, in a midfield three, or even as a trequartista. And he’s talented enough to fulfill any job asked of him in those positions–short passes, long passes, 1v1 on the wing or in tight spaces it’s all in the toolbox. Throughout his career, he’s always played with the biggest stars in the world, Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, Mbappe, etc. and, throughout his career, he’s always run for them. No matter which team and which superstar, Di Maria always ended up being counted on to do the extra dirty work they either weren’t willing or weren’t asked to do. Effort, talent, and experience–what more do you want from a free transfer?
Angel Di Maria & PSG fans share epic farewell moment 🇦🇷 🇫🇷 #shorts
2. Which of the deals already completed is the best so far?
Stephen: It has to be Erling Haaland to Manchester City. Getting a top five striker in the world who is just 21 years old for just $65 million in today's market is crazy business. On top of that, he fills a real need in Pep Guardiola’s side, and pushes them even closer to the Champions League they so desperately covet. It will be interesting to see how he fits in early, but its hard not to get excited about the idea of him on the end of Kevin De Bruyne’s crosses. It will be hard for any team to top that deal this summer.
Son: Has to be Erling Haaland for me as well. European clubs seem to be making moves for young talents this summer. Darwin Nunez is heavily linked to Liverpool at the moment, and Real already announced Aurelien Tchouameni, but Haaland is someone that, despite being the same age as mentioned players, is levels above them in the sense that he has proven to be world-class. For the first time since Sergio Aguero, we will see a clinical finisher leading the already-stacked Manchester City’s frontline, as I would argue that City doesn’t really use Gabriel Jesus as a number 9. We will see how his link-up with Kevin De Bruyne plays out.
Paolo: I want to give an interesting answer that will make me stand out and show readers I know a lot of up and comers from obscure leagues. I guess I’ll have to save that for the next question. Erling Haaland to Manchester City is the clear choice. He’s so good and so young that I’m not sure if I should consider him the best young striker or just the best striker in the Premier League. My colleagues above have already written about the technical aspects of this deal so I’ll touch on something else. What’s most surprised me about this deal is just how much it seems to mean to Haaland on a personal level to play for Man City. It feels like he’s a genuine fan, like he actually dreamed about this as a kid. In part, because his dad played there, but equally because he’s young enough to have been a kid when Man City were good (and by ‘good’ I mean in the Premier League at all). With him and Phil Foden, Man City are building up a roster of players that are also supporters. That might sound irrelevant but it's a crucial step in transitioning from a rich club to a big club. This was a choice made out of passion as much as it was careerism (read: the opportunity to work with Pep) or a very understandable desire to be paid £20 million next season. That’s a first for City. Imagine what it would mean for football if City could appeal to a players’ wallet and heart.
Haaland recreates viral picture that shows him wearing a Man City shirt as a kid for his unveiling on Monday.
3. What is the one transfer you absolutely want to see this summer?
Stephen: Alexander Isak to Arsenal. Although he struggled this season, Alexander Isak is a striker with huge potential, and Arsenal have a massive need at centre-forward. His ability to work in transition should fit well with Arsenal’s fast paced playmakers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, and he has shown the ability to combine well with teammates that players like Emile Smith-Rowe will love. He built a connection with Martin Odegaard at Sociedad in 2019/20, and given that his recent season wasn’t his best statistically, maybe Arsenal could work out a better deal than what they would have had to pay last year. Isak’s finishing will become more consistent over time, and I think he would thrive under Mikel Arteta.
Son: The chances are slim, but Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United is an ambitious one. A defensive midfielder had been United’s priority in recent windows. However, as Paul Pogba already announced his departure, it seems like United needs a playmaker in the midfield as well. The appointment of Erik ten Hag, who had success with de Jong in Ajax before, will be a key factor in this transfer. De Jong might be unwilling to give up Champions League football, but Barca also caught themselves in a tight financial situation, so who knows?
De Jong’s time at Barca has not exactly gone to plan
Paolo: Another easy answer…Mbappe to Roma. If we’re talking about hypothetical signings might as well go all in, right?
In all seriousness, there’s too many clubs and too many players in the world to answer this question earnestly. So…
On Sunday Palermo won promotion back to the Serie B after going bankrupt in 2019 and being relegated to Serie D (fourth division). Who better to get our Sicilian underdogs back into Serie A than Championship legend Aleksandar Mitrović. At Fulham this season he scored 43 goals in 44 games, broke the Championship goal record by 14 goals, and led Fulham to promotion. As the GOAT big-fish-in-a-small-pond-player he’s what Palermo needs to get to where they belong. Come on Aleks give the people what they want…Palermo in Serie A.
4. Which club needs to have the best window?
Stephen: The pressure on Manchester United is obvious, but I think Tottenham slightly edges them in this one. They clearly progressed under Antonio Conte throughout the season, and after edging out Arsenal for top four they should have a good amount of money to spend. Despite the progress, Conte has not committed far into the future at Spurs, and Daniel Levy must provide him with the players he wants to keep him happy. Conte is a winner with high demands and he can take Tottenham to new heights if he is backed. Ivan Perisic is a good start, but they are going to need much more quality than just him to really elevate in the Premier League and beyond.
Son: Last season, Manchester City and Liverpool have shown that they are a level above anyone else in the Premier League. The remaining Premier League top 6 clubs have to make key moves this summer in order to compete with them. Chelsea needs to keep their key players, any transfer activities would be a sign of commitment from new owner Todd Boehly and his board of directors. Tottenham needs to fully back Conte on his plans - he’s a manager that has the ability to bring trophies - and Spurs need to buy him the necessary pieces. Arsenal needs a big-name signing that can truly put their rebuild plan within motion, whether it’s Jesus, Isak, or Sterling. Manchester United have struggled despite spending a large sum of money in recent years, and they also placed sixth last season - the lowest in the bunch. They’re also the only club in the Big Six that has a brand-new manager, so this summer transfer window is very important to them. My pick would be United.
Paolo: Inter. I’m picking Inter because the difference between what a great window and a terrible window will mean for their future is one of the biggest in Europe. A summer that sees good business for squad players–possibly a midfielder and a Perisic replacement–and 1-2 world class players–definitely a striker, maybe another centerback keeps Inter on track to remain dominant in Italy and become truly competitive in Europe. While bad business, both incoming and outgoing, and an inability to add to the top end of the roster means that Inter risk stagnating, and even backsliding. With Simone Inzaghi coaching and a young core of Alessandro Bastoni, Nicolo Barella, Denzel Dumfries, and Lautaro Martinez the foundations are there. It’s just a matter of whether Inter builds an MTV Cribs mansion or one of these houses(?). No pressure though. Should be a chill summer.
5. Which player likely to be on the move is the most interesting to you?
Stephen: Ousmane Dembele’s future is really up in the air, and he still has so much to offer. All the typical big clubs look possible, and returning to Barca still has not been ruled out. At the moment, it seems as though Chelsea are the favorites, but PSG are obviously still in the mix, and more doors could open with other transfer dominoes that fall. Dembele is such an electric talent, and if he can stay healthy, he is good enough to play for any team in the world. His Barca tenure has been disappointing, but he’s only 25 and can break any game open.
Son: I think Gabriel Slonina might be the most unexpected one. Born in 2004, just 18 years old, already the starting goalkeeper for Chicago Fire, wanted by Chelsea and Real Madrid. The idea of Real Madrid buying an American-developed talent straight from the MLS is crazy, yet exciting. If Slonina secured a move to a top club in Europe, it would for sure be a headliner this summer.
Paolo: Sadio Mane. He’s spent the last five seasons as a second banana to Mo Salah but I wouldn’t be surprised if his career took a Benzema-esque turn once he no longer put himself at the service of a goal-obsessed machine. At Liverpool he’s never once complained about touches, salary, a lack of media attention. All he does is play, score goals, and beat his Liverpool frenemy in penalty shootouts.