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The month of September has fallen over the whole of Europe, and with the hurly burly of the 2014 summer transfer window at an end, this would be a good time to take stock of commercial activities that the biggest clubs in Europe have managed to conduct in the last two months.English clubs lead the charge of the big spenders, due to the mad frenzy of activity on the last day by Manchester United, who have beaten all previously standing Premier League expenditure records in a single transfer window. Their transfer extravaganza beats that of Manchester City's reported £148 million in 2009 and Chelsea's £111 million in 2003 - which followed billionaire owner Roman Abramovich's arrival.None of the other European leagues could not match up to the combined amount spent by the 20 English clubs (€1 billion). La Liga led the way for the rest of the continent with €535 million, with Serie A following at €260 million and Bundesliga at €250 million. Bayern Munich, Italy’s most spendthrift club AS Roma and France’s big-spender PSG are the three teams that have narrowly missed out on getting a place on this list.All figures have been taken from http://www.transfermarkt.com/.
#10 Borussia Dortmund - 54 million
Borussia Dortmund have lost their main striker Robert Lewandowski to arch rivals Bayern Munich, and have done some serious activity in the transfer market this summer to make up for this hard-hitting loss. Quality players have been brought into the Borussia fold this summer, and with the increased squad strength at their disposal, the pressure will be on Dortmund to raise a firmer title challenge this year around and perform well in Europe.
Ciro Immobile (€19.4 million from Torino) and Adrian Ramos (€9.7 million from Hertha) have been brought as replacements in the forward line. Former Dortmund player Shinji Kagawa (€8 million from Manchester United) and Nuri Sahin (€7 million from Real Madrid), outcasts at their respective clubs, have been given a chance to show what their once-promising careers still have to offer as part of the Borussia midfield.
#9 Manchester City - 65.5 million
Manchester City have done a fine job of holding on to their crop of successful players, only letting midfielders Javi Garcia, Gareth Barry and Jack Rodwell leave as they were considered surplus to requirements.
The Brazilian defensive midfielder Fernando (€15 million from Porto) has been introduced into the midfield, but their biggest buy has been a central defender from the same Portuguese club, to partner captain Vincent Kompany – Eliaquim Mangala (€40 million). Demichelis was often seen last season playing in both positions, and will probably be left out in favour of the latest arrival
They also brought in goalkeeper Willy Caballero to provide competition to Joe Hart (€8 million).
#8 Southampton - 73 million
There has been an exodus from St. Mary’s with almost all of their top performers from last season departing for the bigger English clubs. There has been a massive inflow of money into the club’s coffers as a result, but there have not been many arrivals of similar stature.
A lot of money has been spent by the Saints though, the most of it questionably to get goalkeeper Fraser Forster (€12.5 million from Celtic). Dusan Tadic (€14 million from FC Twente), known as ‘The Serbian Xavi’ for his flamboyant dribbling skills, has been brought to replicate Adam Lallana’s heroics from last season. Striker Graziano Pelle (€10 million, from Feyenoord), Shane Long (€14.5 million) and Florin Gardos (€7.5 million from Steaua Bucharest) are the others who are sure to feature in the current season.
#7 Arsenal - 101 million
Thomas Vermaelen has left for Barcelona, leaving a gap in the Arsenal defence. The Gunners’s finances, however, look to be in the best state they’ve been for in years, and they have done decently in the transfer market, but still have a couple of holes to plug.
Alexis Sanchez (€37.5 million from Barcelona) has already sparkled for them, scoring one goal and dazzling spectators in general. Callum Chambers (€14 million from Southampton) and Mathieu Debuchy (€15 million from Newcastle United) have proved to be able replacements in the backline.
Arsenal have been looking to get a capable hitman up front to combine with the attacking midfielders and provide the finishing touches, and were forced into action because of Giroud’s long-term injury towards the end of the transfer window. Danny Welbeck (€20 million from Manchester United) was the investment Wenger chose to make in this emergency, but has probably had to pay a much inflated price because of the circumstances.
#6 Chelsea - 106 million
Frank Lampard’s departure from Stamford Bridge signals the end of an era at Chelsea, and he is not the only significant departure either. Ashley Cole and Samuel Eto’o have left as well, not to mention the high-profile transfers away from London of Romelu Lukaku and David Luiz.
Filipe Luis (€20 million) and Diego Costa (€40 million) have come from Atletico Madrid to fill gaps in defence and attack respectively. Cesc Fabregas (€34 million) has been a surprise arrival from Barcelona and will be a valuable addition to a midfield already abound with talent.
Loic Remy (€11 million from QPR) was welcomed by Jose Mourinho as the latest addition in the summer window. Remy and Costa might play together, or compete for the single forward’s place in the Special One’s tactical setup.
#5 Atletico Madrid- 110 million
There has been a lot of activity in the other end of Madrid as well. Club legend David Villa’s contract has run out and Diego Costa, Filipe Luis and Thibaut Courtouis have all headed to Chelsea. Some significant Atleti signings are mentioned here.
Three forwards have been bought as cover for Villa and Costa – two 23-year-olds in Antoine Griezmann (€30 million from Real Sociedad) and Raul Jimenez (€10.5 million from Club America), and the experienced Mario Mandzukic (€22million from Bayern Munich). 21-year-old Slovenian Jan Oblak (€16 million) has been bought from Benfica and will possibly be thrown into the position of responsibility vacated by Courtouis’ departure.
#4 Real Madrid - 122.5 million
Real Madrid are the current European champions, and have a well-balanced team compared to their main rivals Barcelona. Getting big players onto their roster has become a sort of tradition at the Madrid club, and a transfer window feels incomplete without some sensational moves to the Bernabeu.
Six year deals have been signed with orchestrators James Rodriguez (€80 million from Monaco) and Toni Kroos (€30 million from Bayern Munich), and goalkeeper Keylor Navas (€10 million from Levante), the Costa Rican shot-stopper who shone at the World Cup. All three of them have made the move knowing they have to earn their places in the team and to then fight for them on a regular basis.
A final day move was made for Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez (€2.5 million loan from Manchester United), to give more competition to striking mainstay Karim Benzema.
#3 Liverpool - 151 million
Liverpool have let go of their star striker Luis Suarez, but have made sure to capitalize on the windfall and go well beyond to keep competing at the levels they did last season. Mario Balotelli (€20 million from AC Milan) has been brought in as his immediate replacement, but the equally volatile Italian might find he does not have an automatic spot in the starting line-up, such is the squad strength at Merseyside this season.
Southampton has been their favourite raiding spot – The sales of attacking players Adam Lallana (€31 million), Rickie Lambert (€5.5 million) and central defender Dejan Lovren (€25.3 million) have given Southampton a hefty sum in return.
Liverpool will return to the Champions League after a five-year hiatus, and have decided to get more options for different positions as well. Divock Origi (€12.63 million from Lille and back there on loan) is a promising striker and Lazar Markovic (€25 million from Benfica) is an accomplished winger who can play on both flanks. Right back Javier Manquillo (€2 million), left back Alberto Moreno (€18 million) from Sevilla and defensive midfielder Emre Can (€12 million) from Bayer Leverkusen complete their list of signings.
#2 Barcelona - 157 million
It has been a busy summer in Catalonia. With Puyol retiring and Victor Valdes’s contract having run out; and Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas’s transfers to London and the two transfer window embargo imposed on them due to the issues with the Neymar transfer, Barcelona have thought it prudent to splurge money on signings to strengthen their squad.
Their most expensive buy has been a forward – the biggest transfer of this summer, Luis Suarez (€81 million) from Liverpool. Ivan Rakitic (€18 million from Sevilla) and Thomas Vermaelen (€10 million from Arsenal) have been brought in as replacements in midfield and defence. Valencia left back Jeremy Mathieu’s (€20 million) arrival suggests the focus has been on shoring up the defence, which looked fragile on occasion in the last two years.
German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen (€12 million from Borussia Mönchengladbach) has been brought to compete with World Cup star Claudio Bravo (€12 million from Real Sociedad) for the first-choice goalkeeper’s spot.
Young and promising Brazilian right back Douglas (€4 million from Sau Paulo) has also been brought in to be an eventual replacement for Dani Alves.
#1 Manchester United - 193.55 million
After the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United tried the method of carrying on his legacy with the same team and a low-profile manager with respect for the typical British ethics of management but It failed miserably. This season, therefore, the club are trying the other method – getting a high-profile manager to manage a new-look team full of high-profile players.
The club have broken through the roof with their summer transfer spending to get themselves out of the rut they are in, but have perhaps been guilty of paying more money than the incoming players warranted.
Their defence wears a new look this season after all of their senior defenders – Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra – were either released or sold for minimal fees. Daley Blind (€17.5 million from Ajax), Luke Shaw (€37.5 million from Southampton) and Marcos Rojo (€20 million from Sporting Lisbon) have arrived to take the place of the old guard. Ander Herrera (€36 million from Athletic Bilbao) has been brought in to help them out at the centre of the pitch, but this area remains the problem for the team.
The popular favourite additions to Old Trafford have been the late signings of attacking players Angel di Maria (€74.95 million from Real Madrid) and Radamel Falcao (€7.6 million loan from Monaco), to join what was already a potent strikeforce.
