At the end of every football season – especially Europe’s top five leagues – fans dread the silence that comes after.
Players jet off into the sunset or represent their countries in world tourneys or make moves from one club to another.
While some extend their stay at certain clubs, others make their intentions known: a new challenge, rise in pay, Champions League football and a host of other requests are used as excuses to move from one city to another.
The agents and the parent club fail to make things any easier. Rumors fly around at the speed of light, one club accuses the other of “poaching” (welcome to the wild!) and the whole thing adds up to become *transfer drama*.
With various football clubs looking to bolster their squad in preparation for the upcoming season, football fans have been served with plenty of drama.
Rooney’s surprise move to Everton, Manchester United choosing Lukaku over Morata – and the comparisons that followed on social media – Kyle Walker becoming really expensive and that PSG-Neymar conversation.
There’s been drama enough but there’s set to be even more drama.
While some clubs, thanks to some Chinese money, have signed so many players you’d think there was a team overhaul, some other clubs can’t seem to get the players they want.
As at the time of writing, Chelsea’ s no-striker desperation forced them to opt for Morata. Pep Guardiola wants Mendy but Monaco insists they must pay more than they did for Kyle Walker.
Arsene Wenger insists Alexis is not for sale. Liverpool wants RB Leipzig’s Keita at all cost and there’s the little case of Perisic/Matic/Man. Utd.
While clubs like Tottenham have been strangely quiet, the drama continues in Europe. The future of so many players is still up in the air. Parent clubs are reluctant to sell. Buying clubs are wary of paying too much. And there’s the middle man: the player’s agent who may be holding out for one fee or the other.
Speaking of fees, the amount being splashed around by clubs has amped up the drama we’ve seen so far.
Fans have argued amongst themselves as to which player is worth what. Walker for £50m? Lukaku for £75m? Lacazette for €53m? Babayoko for £40m? Sigurdsson is valued at £50m. Iheanacho has a price tag of £25m. Have we mentioned Neymar’s buy-out clause that ranges from €200m-€250m?
These hair-raising figures have not done anything to quell the drama. Rather, it has fueled the drama. The transfer window will slam shut in 6 weeks. If you think you’ve seen it all, think again.
6 more weeks of transfer drama? You bet!
Social media is agog with the Lukaku-Morata comparison. Which club do you think got the better deal: Manchester United or Chelsea? Mourinho or Conte? Leave us a comment and let’s know what you think.
Tags: summer transfer window
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