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The 2021 summer transfer window was one of the most dramatic windows in recent years.
With the financial ramifications from the COVID-19 pandemic beginning to ease off, many clubs did not hesitate to splurge to land their targets. Of course, like in 2020, loan deals continued to be the preferred mode of business for many clubs.
Quite a few high-profile players chose this route to move to pastures anew this summer. Most of them did so to seek a different challenge or after they became surplus to requirements at their previous clubs.
With two of the game's biggest superstars changing clubs this summer, let's take a look at the ten best signings in the recently concluded transfer window:
#10 Antoine Greizmann (Barcelona to Atletico Madrid)
After an underwhelming two-season stay at Barcelona, Antoine Griezmann is back at his old stomping ground at Atletico Madrid.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner arrived with much fanfare at the Camp Nou in the summer of 2019. But the Frenchman had an underwhelming debut campaign at his new destination, scoring only 15 times and registering four assists in nearly 50 games across competitions.
Griezmann improved with the arrival of Ronald Koeman last season, producing a better return of 20 goals and 13 assists. With the exit of club legend Lionel Messi this summer, the Frenchman was expected to lead the line for Barcelona. But the form of new arrival Memphis Depay made Griezmann surplus to requirements.
He was even booed by Barcelona fans last weekend in what turned out to be his last game for the club. Griezmann, who has been linked with an exit all summer, only sealed his move to Atletico on loan on the last day of the transfer window.
The 33-year-old, who has scored 133 times for Atletico in 257 games, is all set to join forces with his former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez. Griezmann will hope to rediscover his mojo and help the Rojiblancos successfully defend their La Liga title.
#9 Eduardo Camavinga (Rennes to Real Madrid)
Touted as one of the best young defensive midfielders in the game at the moment, Eduardo Camavinga has moved from Rennes to La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid.
Camavinga was handed a Ligue 1 debut at only 16 by Rennes in 2018-19, for whom he went on to make almost a hundred appearances. The teenager caught the attention of Europe's top clubs by producing stellar performances in his next two seasons at Rennes.
He is also France's youngest debutant in more than nine decades. Camavinga arrived at Real Madrid after the Merengues beat the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and PSG for the player's signature.
Predominantly a deep-lying playmaker, the versatile Camavinga has a strong passing game and is good at tackles and interceptions. He is only likely to improve with more game time and possibly replace the club's aging midfielder Luka Modric.
#8 Jack Grealish (Aston Villa to Manchester City)
After a standout stint at Aston Villa, it seemed only a matter of time before Jack Grealish would move to a big club.
That duly happened this summer when reigning Premier League champions Manchester City splurged €117.5 million to snap up the midfielder. In the process, Grealish became the most expensive player in British football.
The 25-year-old is blessed with flair and creativity as well as an excellent end product to boot. Grealish has racked up 32 goal contributions (14 goals, 18 assists) in his last two Premier League campaigns. The versatile attacking midfielder also impressed during his limited game time for Euro 2020 finalists England.
Grealish, who can also play on the wings, scored on his first Manchester City start. He has also tallied an assist in his three games for his new club.
#7 Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan to Chelsea)
Romelu Lukaku is one of the best strikers in the game at the moment. The Belgian has returned to Chelsea after a prolific two-season stint at Serie A champions Inter Milan.
Lukaku tallied an impressive 80 goal contributions (64 goals, 16 assists) in almost a hundred games for the Nerazzurri. But owing to their financial woes, Inter had to let go their prized asset for €115 million this summer.
Lukaku, who also enjoyed a prolific Euro 2020 campaign, has hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge. He scored on his second debut for the club against Arsenal and was impressive throughout the game. The Belgian, who last played for Chelsea in 2013, is expected to be a key player in the Blues' quest to win the Premier League this season.
#6 Raphael Varane (Real Madrid to Manchester United)
Raphael Varane, one of the best centre-backs in the game, ended a decade-long association with Real Madrid this summer by moving to Manchester United.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has been a solid performer for club and country over the years. Varane arrived at Old Trafford having won three La Liga and four Champions League titles in Madrid.
Renowned for his strength, pace and ball-playing prowess, Varane looks like the perfect player to complement his captain Harry Maguire. The Red Devils will hope the Frenchman acclimatizes quickly to the pace of the Premier League.
Varane has made a decent start to life in the Premier League, providing an assist in United's 1-0 win at Wolves.
#5 Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United)
Jadon Sancho is one of the most exciting young wingers in the game at the moment.
After making his name as a world-class player during his highly successful four-season stint at Borussia Dortmund, Sancho was snapped up by Manchester United. The Old Trafford club shelled out close to €100 million for the player to land him after a year-long pursuit.
Sancho, who made 114 goal contributions during his time at Dortmund, has made a modest start to life at Old Trafford. The 21-year-old made his first start for United last weekend but is yet to score or assist in three games.
However, with world-class teammates around him, it shouldn't take long for Sancho to start delivering the goods up front.
#4 Achraf Hakimi (Inter Milan to PSG)
Achraf Hakimi is one of the best goalscoring full-backs in the game. The Moroccan first made his name at Borussia Dortmund during a loan stint from Real Madrid.
Hakimi enjoyed a dazzling debut season in the Italian top flight, recording seven goals and ten assists for Inter Milan. He has now arrived on a €60 million transfer from the Serie A champions to PSG. Hakimi has hit the ground running at his new club, scoring on his debut against Troyes.
Hakimi will now look to help a star-studded PSG team win the holy grail of European football - the UEFA Champions League - this season. The Moroccan is guaranteed trophies as the club's domestic dominance is almost a given.
#3 Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan to PSG)
One of the most exciting young goalkeepers in the game at the moment, Gianluigi Donnarumma has arrived at PSG on a free transfer this summer. Widely tipped to follow in the footsteps of his illustrious compatriot Gianluigi Buffon, Donnarumma has already made a fine start to his career.
After a six-season stint with AC Milan, Donnarumma was one of the key players in Italy's triumphant Euro 2020 campaign. He made important stops in the penalty-shootout wins against Spain in the semifinals and England in the final. Donnarumma's incredible performances earned him the 'Player of the Tournament' award.
He is yet to make his PSG debut after joining the club this summer. But it won't be long before Donnarumma takes over from veteran Keylor Navas and continues his stellar exploits at the Ligue 1 giants.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus to Manchester United)
Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to Manchester United after nine glorious years at Real Madrid and a rather underwhelming three seasons at Juventus.
Widely expected to leave the Bianconeri this summer, Ronaldo was tipped to land at Manchester City. But in a dramatic turn of events, his old club Manchester United entered the fray and snapped up the player from under the noses of their cross-town rivals.
Now 36, the five-time Ballon d'Or and Champions League winner is expected to start upfront for the Red Devils. Ronaldo will hope to hit the ground running at Old Trafford considering his familiarity with the Premier League.
The Portuguese winger arrives at United after winning his first Capocannoniere award, despite Juventus failing to win Serie A for the first time in a decade. He also had a sparkling campaign at Euro 2020, scoring five goals and bagging an assist. In the process, he became the all-time top scorer in the history of the quadrennial competition.
#1 Lionel Messi (Barcelona to PSG)
In arguably the biggest and most unexpected move of the summer, Barcelona legend Lionel Messi arrived at PSG on a free transfer.
After a triumphant Copa America 2021 campaign, Messi was widely expected to sign a contract extension with the Blaugrana. But that didn't happen, as Barcelona would have fallen foul of La Liga's financial fair play rules had they done so, despite Messi agreeing a 50% pay-cut.
PSG promptly jumped into the fray and acquired the Argentinian legend on a free transfer to form a dream attacking trio with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
The six-time Ballon d'Or winner - who made almost 1100 goal contributions for Barcelona - made a low-key debut against Rennes last weekend. But Messi is expected to start delivering as soon as he acclimatizes to his new club, after arriving at PSG without a pre-season.
