The summer 2022 transfer window has seen some major shakeups as some of the biggest names will call a new club home next season. This calls for a top five biggest summer transfers list.
Several things are taken into consideration to define what a “big” transfer means. Prominence, transfer fees, last season’s stats and the clubs that the player is transferring to and from are all taken into consideration.
If the player you wanted to see didn’t make the cut then perhaps they’re on the honorable mentions list at the bottom.
Top Five Biggest Summer Transfers 2022
Transfer fees courtesy of Transfermarkt
5. Gabriel Jesus
⛅️ On Cloud No. 9
Welcome to Arsenal, Gabriel Jesus pic.twitter.com/kPgOx9uVZd— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 4, 2022
Transfer: Manchester City to Arsenal
Fee: $57.42 million
Coming in at No. 5 is Gabriel Jesus. After five years with Manchester City the Brazilian is heading to London with Arsenal. This a solid signing for the Gunners and it appears that he’s already fitting in quite well.
Three goals in two preseason games for Gabriel Jesus pic.twitter.com/oAzfmzgrAa
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 17, 2022
Gabriel Jesus is ridiculous man, that first touch to kill that ball makes the goal pic.twitter.com/72982xpgJu
— . (@DocAFC_) July 16, 2022
He’s definitely an underrated center forward who can contribute goals and assists. Gabriel Jesus had 13 goals and 12 assists last season. He will be one to watch. Can he get Arsenal back in the Champions League?
4. Aurélien Tchouaméni
☀️ BONJOUR from @atchouameni, madridistas!#WelcomeTchouameni pic.twitter.com/W8aSjG77UW
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) June 15, 2022
Transfer: AS Monaco to Real Madrid
Fee: $88 million
The most expensive transfer of the summer so far, Aurélien Tchouaméni joins a stacked Real Madrid midfield. The French defensive midfielder caught the eyes of several big clubs in Europe, but he ultimately decided on Real Madrid.
Sadly, nothing lasts forever and the iconic midfield trio of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro are in the twilight of their Real Madrid days. The next generation is on its way with the likes of Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and now Tchouaméni.
Tchouaméni, 22, is a rock-solid defensive midfielder who will be a great addition to the defending champions of Europe.
3. Sadio Mané
Sadio Mané: "I'm really happy to be here." #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/xerJYTvBy1
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) July 16, 2022
Transfer: Liverpool to Bayern Munich
Fee: $35.2 million
The Premier League had to say goodbye to one of its most exciting talents, Sadio Mané. The Senegalese star scored 20 or more goals for Liverpool in three of his six seasons with the Reds and had 23 last season.
His partnership with Mohamed Salah will be missed, but now he will tear up the Bundesliga and look to form a new duo. The real question will be how many goals does he net for Bayern Munich?
2. Erling Haaland
It's official! 9️⃣@ErlingHaaland | #ManCity pic.twitter.com/XR1KTub0sZ
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 9, 2022
Transfer: Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City
Fee: $66 million
Erling Haaland is the most interesting transfer in this writer’s opinion. The Norwegian wonder posted superhuman stats in the Bundesliga nearly averaging a goal per game. In his 66 Bundesliga appearances he scored 61 goals.
If Haaland can continue that type of scoring form in the Premier League he could seriously enter the conversation for the Ballon d’Or. There have been cases before of a forward not being able to do in the Premier League what they did in the Bundesliga *cough* Timo Werner.
How Haaland blends into Pep Guardiola’s system of typically not having a traditional No. 9 is still a question. We’re sure he’ll figure it out and be scoring goals in no time.
1. Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona, here we go! FC Bayern have just told Barça that they have accepted final proposal. Agreement finally in place between all parties. #FCB
Lewandowski asked Bayern to leave also on Friday - he will jlin Barcelona during the weekend. pic.twitter.com/nmodHuNscw— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 15, 2022
Transfer: Bayern Munich to Barcelona
Fee: $45.4 million
Barring something insane, this is the transfer of the summer. Even a Cristiano Ronaldo transfer might not be enough to top Robert Lewadowski’s move to Barcelona.
Depending on who you ask, many argue that Lewandowski should have won the Ballon d’Or last season. The Polish striker is a goal scoring machine and the most clinical striker on the planet. You don’t just get 50 goals in a single season by being anything else.
There will be plenty of storylines next season with Lewandowski. The race between him and Karim Benzema for the LaLiga golden boot will be exhilarating as will his reunion with former Borussia Dortmund teammate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Without a doubt this is the biggest summer transfer.
Honorable Mentions:
- Darwin Núñez to Liverpool
- Richarlison to Tottenham
- Raheem Sterling to Chelsea
- Kalidou Koulibaly to Chelsea
- Raphina to Barcelona
- Christian Eriksen to Manchester United
- Paul Pogba to Juventus (again)
- Angel Di Maria to Juventus
- Kalvin Phillips to Manchester City
- Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams to Leeds United
- Gareth Bale to LAFC
- Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid
- Sébastien Haller to Borussia Dortmund