The 5 biggest free transfers of the summer window

‘The best things in life are free’, sang Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson, so famously. It is an adage which holds true even in today’s world of football where mega-rich clubs and their lavish signings hog most of the headlines.

But there is, after all, more to football than just money. So for reasons which cannot always be explained, there are players who part ways with clubs for free, and here are five of the biggest who did so this summer:

5. Diego Lugano - Paris Saint-Germain to West Bromwich Albion

Diego Lugano

The long-serving captain of the Uruguayan national team, with 9 international goals to his name and the official title of best captain of the 2010 World Cup, Diego Lugano is one helluva central defender.

Having established himself at Sao Paolo and Fenerbahce, Lugano’s move to PSG never really took off due to injury. A loan to Malaga over the second half of last season saw him steady the ship at the back for what was then Manuel Pellegrini’s side, helping them finish 6th in the league after a mid-season collapse.

Now at West Brom, who have undergone a minor upheaval of sorts, Lugano will be hoping to help the Baggies finish a couple of places higher than 8th last season.

Overall, a solid presence at the back, a galvanising threat up front, and worth much more than the zero transfer fee PSG let go of him for.

4. Andrey Arshavin – Arsenal to Zenit St. Petersburg

Andrey Arshavin

None can really say where it all went wrong for Arshavin at Arsenal; after all, he was their club record signing when he joined. All sorts of rumours ranging from a falling out with Wenger to him being a Russian spy have been splashed across, but again, none can really tell.

After a fantastic ’10/’11 season where he made 52 appearances, scored 10 goals and created another 17, Arshavin struggled a bit, with both playing time as well as contributions on the pitch.

But there is plenty of class which can never fade, as he often shows on the international stage. Being re-united with his old club, where he does indeed seem happy again, Zenit hope will help it shine through.

With absolutely no transfer fee involved, it’s not half bad a gamble.

3. Kaka – Real Madrid to AC Milan

Kaka

Many have been quick to call this a purchase which is more appealing to the heart than the head. Pundits have more often than not been inclined to agree, but only when Kaka gets back to playing regular football will one be able to decide either which way.

And regular time on the pitch is what he will get, with Milan looking to fill the gap left by Boateng’s departure.

If the love for Milan isn’t sufficient motivation in itself, the World Cup around the horizon, will see Kaka desperate to prove that he still has what it takes to fit into an increasingly menacing Brazil team.

One of those fairy-tale returns of a club legend has indeed been executed this summer, and it didn’t cost the Rossonieri a dime.

2. Fernando Llorente – Athletic Bilbao to Juventus

Fernando Llorente

While a slightly dull performance over the ’12/’13 season might have pushed his name to the back of some people’s minds, Llorente was certainly hot property in last year’s transfer window.

With slightly inflated valuations putting him at around 40 million, he was purportedly prime target for Manchester United who had seen first hand in the Europa League the damage he is capable of.

Barcelona were, reportedly, also in the hunt. But instead of moving to a different club, Llorente decided to enter the final year of his contract with a club he had already represented for 8 years.

Come January, it was made clear that his 9th would be the last with them, at least for now, as he agreed terms with Juventus but officially completed his transfer only on July 1st.

A very smart purchase by the Italian champions, who moved swiftly to capture someone that can drastically improve their conversion rates, and perhaps help them land a third consecutive title.

1. Samuel Eto’o – Anzhi Makhachkala to Chelsea

Samuel Eto’o

In spite of suspicions of ageing legs that can no longer do the job for a top side, 32-year-old Eto’o has finally arrived in the Premier League to play under former manager Jose Mourinho again.

But a good look at recent numbers allays any such concerns that Chelsea fans themselves might have. Playing in the demanding Russian league, Eto’o scored 13 and 21 goals in his two full seasons at the club in addition to 2 in four games this season.

While it might be a step down from the incredible treble-winning season with Inter when he scored 37, there is no questioning whether Eto’o will add value to a club whose top scorer last season was Fernando Torres with 22 goals to his name.

With plenty of experience in the bag, immense talent, and an attitude to match, Eto’o is about as good as it gets when it comes to free transfers.