5 Most expensive transfers of the summer window so far

The summer transfer window is always a time of excitement as clubs prepare their squads for the season ahead. For the past several years, transfer records have been continually broken as the market value of players becomes based on their potential shirt sales and status rather than just their footballing ability. While still only in July, this summer has been no different, with clubs across the top 5 leagues in Europe splashing out over €2.3 billion already.

It is no surprise to see clubs spending such extraordinary amounts of money considering the high profile moves witnessed during the January transfer window this year. Phillipe Coutinho’s €120 million move from Liverpool to Barcelona was a club record fee for the Catalans, and the highest fee ever received for the team from Merseyside. Manchester City also broke their club record in the January transfer window, signing Aymeric Laporte for €65.2 million from Athletic Bilbao.

This trend is set to continue for the foreseeable future as clubs come under increasing pressure to make big money signings and compete at the highest level. While Neymar’s incredible and shocking €222 million move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain last summer remains the most expensive transfer of all time, this summer has witnessed several high profile moves already. With the World Cup in Russia still happening, this list is sure to change before deadline day, and indeed has already changed twice in the last 48 hours.

As of July 11th, 2018, here are the top 5 most expensive transfers of the summer so far:

#5 Naby Keita – RB Leipzig to Liverpool €60 million

Naby Keita is unveiled as a Liverpool player

A transfer that has been a year in the making, Naby Keita agreed to join Liverpool in August of last year after they activated his release clause. Officially joining the Merseyside outfit on July 1st of this year, the Guinean midfielder became Liverpool’s second most expensive transfer of all time after Virgil Van Dijk who signed in January for €84.5 million.

Keita impressed greatly during his time in the Bundesliga, helping RB Leipzig finish as runners-up in their first ever Bundesliga season, securing a Champions League place in the process. The box-to-box midfielder has been compared to N’Golo Kante and provides a wonderful passing range with frequent goals.

#4 Thomas Lemar – Monaco to Atletico Madrid €65 million

Thomas Lemar plays in his last match for Monaco against Troyes

A very highly rated young talent, Thomas Lemar is the latest player to establish himself at Monaco before moving on to pastures new. The 22-year-old French attacking midfielder was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League this summer with suitors including Liverpool and Arsenal.

However, in June of this year, the French World Cup player announced his move to Spanish giants Atletico Madrid for a fee of €65 million. This makes him the clubs most expensive player of all time and he will hope to help Atleti secure another La Liga success in the forthcoming season.

#3 Riyad Mahrez – Leicester City to Manchester City €67.8 million

Riyad Mahrez signs for Manchester City

Machester City’s most expensive signing of the transfer window so far, Riyad Mahrez has impressed time and again while playing for Leicester City in the Premier League. Having helped the Foxes to one of the most surprising Premier League titles ever, the Algerian decided to stay with the Midlands club for another two seasons despite being in high demand.

This summer, the skilful attacker finally made his move to Manchester, signing for City on July 10th and becoming the most expensive African player of all time in the process. However, with the attacking talent already at the disposal of the City manager, Pep Guardiola, Mahrez may turn out to be the most expensive backup player in history.

#2 Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid to Juventus €100 million

Juventus fans celebrate the announcement of Ronaldo's arrival

Certainly, the most speculated and talked about transfer of the window so far, Cristiano Ronaldo has left Real Madrid to join Italian giants Juventus. The Portuguese superstar had an incredible nine years in Spain, breaking countless records, winning numerous trophies, and enjoying a captivating rivalry with Lionel Messi.

It says a lot that Real Madrid turned a profit on the player they signed form Manchester United for €94 million in 2009. Even at 33-years-old, Ronaldo has the potential to play for several more seasons and is sure to help Juventus challenge for the Champions League in the coming seasons. While not the most expensive transfer of this window, it could certainly be the most important for both Real Madrid and Juventus.

#1 Killian Mbappe – Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain €145 million

Kylian Mbappe is unveiled at Paris Saint-Germain

Having spent a year on loan at Paris Saint-Germain, Killian Mbappe has finally made the transfer permanent with a €145 million move to the French club. In the process, he has become the second most expensive transfer of all time, behind teammate Neymar Jr., and the most expensive teenager of all time.

However, anyone who has watched Mbappe play either for the Parisian club last season or for France during the World Cup in Russia can see how devastating he can be. Pace, execution, strength, finishing, Mbappe has it all. It is no surprise that many are talking about the Frenchman as the player most likely to break the Ronaldo Messi grip on the Ballon d’Or.