The transfer window has slammed shut, and as with every summer, some clubs will be happier with their business than others. Today I am going to run down what, in my opinion, the 5 smartest signings of the window were across Europe.
Rafał Gikiewicz, Union Berlin to FC Augsburg – Free Transfer
It is fair to say that we have not started with the most blockbuster move of the summer, but as far as smart signings go I think it is hard to look past Augsburg picking up one of the league’s finest goalkeepers for diddly squat. As Augsburg limped to 15th place in last season’s Bundesliga, it was obvious that a new goalkeeper was needed, club record signing Thomáš Koubek had failed spectacularly, making several errors leading to goals before being dropped for a man who has since moved the opposite way in this transfer, in Andreas Luthe. In the end Augsburg conceded over 4 more goals then were expected. Thankfully for the Fuggerstädter one of last seasons’ best performing goalkeepers was available on a free transfer in Union Berlins’ Rafał Gikiewicz. Last season the 32 year old pole kept 8 clean sheets in the league, the best in the bottom half, and was absolutely vital for their safe, 11th place finish in the Bundesliga. This transfer already seems to be paying dividends for Augsburg, with them staring the season extremely well, with 7 points from the first 3 games, keeping a clean sheet in 2 including a starring performance at home against Dortmund. Ausburg’s business has looked good this season, but I have no doubt that this will prove to be the best and most important signing.
Luis Suarez, FC Barcelona to Atlético Madrid – Free Transfer
I have to say that at times I have looked at players or transfers and ruled them out entirely due to the fact that the player involved is over 30, that said, even at the age of 33, I love Atléti snapping up Luis Suarez on a free this summer. It has been made no secret that Atlético have struggled for goals in recent years. Last season, their top scorer was Alvaro Morata with 12, while xG suggests he should have scored 15, so he is hardly clinical, while Joao Felix showed potential, he doesn’t quite have it yet and Diego Costa proved that he was well and truly past it. And while not young, Luis Suarez guarantees goals at La Liga level, and on a free, his likely extortionate wages can be justified. In 28 games last season, he scored 16 and assisted 8, comfortably more than any Atléti player, and his experience should be a very positive thing for youngsters like Joao Felix, not to mention the added ‘bite’ he adds for Simeone’s bulldogs. Suarez has started his Atlético career in spectacular fashion as well, with 3 goals and 1 assist in his first 4 games, Atlético fans, get very excited.
Achraf Hakimi, Real Madrid to Inter Milan – £36 million
Onto the most expensive signing on this list, it can not be understated how much of a coup this is for Inter. Achraf Hakimi, at just 21 years old was one of Europe’s most impressive wing backs last season, storming up and down the Dortmund flank last season, getting a hugely impressive 5 goals and 10 assists from that wing back role. I actually thought that Real Madrid should have given him a chance to prove his worth this season, and it baffles me that they let him go for just about £35 million, when I have no doubt that they could have got at least 50 million for the Morocco international. Antonio Conte is well known for his 3 at the back system, and there probably isn’t a better player in Europe available to play that role for his Inter side. That was hardly a strong position for Inter last season, with the likes of Daniele D’Ambrosio and Victor Moses playing that role over the course of the season. While they are not bad players, for Inter to make a proper title charge in Serie A this season they needed to upgrade in that area, and it is fair to say that they have. Hakimi’s debut for Inter was outstanding, grabbing a goal and 2 assists, if that is a sign of things to come from Hakimi, Inter fans should get very excited about this man.
Axel Disasi, Stade de Reims to AS Monaco – £11.7 million
It is sad to see a team who were as unique and successful as Stade de Reims torn apart as they have been this season. They have really struggled for results in the league, and were knocked out of the Europa League at the qualifying stage. That said, there are teams who have benefited hugely from this, one of whom is Niko Kovac’s AS Monaco. Monaco’s defence was what let them down in Ligue 1 last season, especially considering that they had the top scorer in the league, Wissam Ben Yedder, this is disappointing. Reims, on the other hand, had the best defence in the league last season, and that is largely due to the partnership formed between veteran Yunis Abdelhamid, and 22 year old Disasi. Disasi, quite simply upgrades Monaco’s defence immediately and in the long term, and with the likes of Arsenal interested in the Frenchman, this is a major coup for Les Monagasques. That said, Disasi has not exactly started the season on fire, sent off in a 3-2 victory against Strasbourg, that said, at that price point and considering his age, I think one could forgive a few poor performances, an extremely smart signing here from AS Monaco.
Thiago, FC Bayern Munich to Liverpool – £20 million
It was sort of hard to see how Liverpool could improve after such an outstanding season last time out, but to give credit where credit is due, they seem to have done so this season, mainly due to the stellar signing of one of the worlds’ best midfielders. While Thiago may be 29 years of age, for such a small fee, we can hardly begrudge Liverpool for this signing. What Thiago adds ,that Liverpool’s midfield lacked, is a metronome ,a player who will always try to take on his man, and will take a moment to pick out a pass that few others would have spotted his over 90% pass success rate and 3 dribbles per 90 show this. While he has missed a few games, Liverpool fans have already seen how much Thiago can add as that metronome in the midfield, and his hard working nature should mean that he fits into Liverpool’s midfield like a glove, and when he returns fully, their slight struggles of late may yet cease. While Bayern will be gutted to lose him, I find it very difficult to look past Thiago as the smartest signing across Europe this summer, and the Premier League should be very afraid of what he will offer to an already ferocious Liverpool team.
Football 37 