Top 10 transfers of 2018 summer transfer window

The wait is finally over as the football season is on our hands. The World Cup just sinking off our minds, a tournament in which France triumphed 4-2 against a superb Croatia team, led by the talented Luka Modric. As a result, Les Bleus ended up winning their 2nd title after a gap of 20 years.

After the World cup ended, a small void was created which thankfully ended last week with the commencement of the Premier League. Other European leagues a la La Liga and Serie A began this weekend, thus giving football fans to cheer about something every weekend.

Every year, the world of football never fails to surprise us with the mindblowing transfers and frequent managerial changes. This season promises to be no less with numerous big transfers taking place so far. With the English transfer window slammed shut, the rest of the big leagues still have time till 31st August to make their final moves.

Here we rank the top 10 transfers that have taken place so far:

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#10 Fred

Fred, a Brazilian international, made his move to England this summer from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk for a price of £52 million.

The Brazilian, who plays more of a defensive role, might be the answer to United's midfield problems after the retirement of Michael Carrick.

Fred, who was a part of Brazil's World cup squad in Russia, spent 5 years with Shakhtar Donetsk before moving to the red half of Manchester. The Brazilian has been appreciated for his versatility and energetic displays during his time in Ukraine.

United have always possessed a midfield general who controls the tempo of the game with players such as Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Michael Carrick. While it might be too much to ask of Fred to recapitulate the success of aforementioned players but the Brazilian has the talent to become part of the glorious list of midfielders to have graced Old Trafford.

A serial winner in Ukraine, Fred won 3 league titles as well as 3 domestic cups during his 5-year stay at Donbass Arena.

#9 Jorginho

When Maurizio Sarri arrived from Napoli, a new style of football was expected at the Stamford Bridge. The Italian brought a potent midfielder along in the name of Jorginho. The Brazilian-Italian footballer is a box-to-box midfielder with tremendous defensive attributes.

Jorginho spent 4 years with the Italian side- Napoli and was key to Napoli's consistent showing in the domestic league. Chelsea never succeeded in replacing Nemanja Matic as the player bought in to cover the midfield, Tiemoue Bakayoko failed to match Matic's supreme performances for the blues.

Bakoyoko has joined AC Milan on loan and thus Chelsea had a major opening in the centre of the park. Jorginho has had a decent start as Chelsea have won their first 2 premier league encounters. The blues have paid a whopping £57 million to secure his services.

#8 Radja Nainggolan

Italian clubs have been at their best in the ongoing transfer window. With so many sensational players set to play in the Serie A, it seems like old days are coming back. Inter Milan have been off the title picture for a long time now and the sole reason for that has been their squad depth and quality of the players. But with the arrival of Radja Nainggolan, Inter Milan have put a firm statement.

The Belgian moved to Inter after spending the last 4 years with Roma. Naingollan is a world-class footballer is always involved in the game. The Belgian is capable of scoring some sensational goals as well as playing in multiple positions.

Radja is a dynamic midfielder who lightens up the field with his vibrant display from the centre of the park. Naingollan missed out on the 23-match list of players who represented Belgium at the recently concluded FIFA world. The world was shocked upon hearing Naingollan’s absence from the Belgium setup owing to his stellar potential.

Naingollan was superb for AS Roma and the same would be expected from him at Inter Milan.

#7 Gonzalo Higuain

The Argentine is all set to start his 3rd innings in Italy with AC Milan. Gonzalo Higuain has previously played for Napoli and Juventus and will now begin a new campaign with Rossoneri. The former Real Madrid striker has had a long career and has scored tons of goals for club and country.

Higuain's addition will boost up AC Milan's attacking options and give Gennaro Gattuso a genuine world-class forward. Higuain has been amongst the top scorers ever since he arrived in Italy following his departure from Real Madrid in 2013.

Higuain is the only player on this list whose move is not a proper transfer but a loan as he is still signed with Juventus but when a player of his calibre switches clubs and that too in the same league, the news becomes all the more sensational.

#5 Arturo Vidal

The dynamic midfielder from Chile, Arturo Vidal is an all-out entertainer on the field. The box to box midfielder has had an illustrious career so far winning leagues in Italy and Germany and will now hope to win in Spain as well.

Vidal moved to Barcelona from Bayern Munich to give the Barcelona fans a big cheer. The Chilean is one of the most energetic players on the field and is capable of doing it all. Vidal apart from being great at tackling, interceptions, anchoring counter attacks and scoring an outrageous goal once in a while is an accurate penalty kick taker as well.

Vidal did miss out on putting a show in the recently concluded FIFA World Cup in Russia as chile failed to qualify but his international resume is mightly impressive with 2 back to back Copa America titles with chile. Coincidentally Vidal won 2 finals against the main man of his new team- Lionel Messi as Chile defeated Argentina in successive Copa finals in 2015 and 2016.

Vidal is a devastating midfielder and will no doubt be a great addition to the Barcelona side filled with stars. La Blaugrana have missed a certain midfield in charge since Xavi Hernandez left and Vidal might be the missing link in the otherwise great lineup.

#5 Riyad Mahrez

Arsenal FC v Manchester City - Premier League

The Algerian moved to Manchester City for a deal worth £60 million as quoted by goal.com. The 2015-16 PFA PLAYER’S PLAYER of the year will be plying his trade for the citizens in the upcoming premier league season after spending 4 years with Leicester city.

Riyad Mahrez was the driving force behind Leicester City's side famous premier league triumph in 2016 as the football world witnessed one of the biggest surprises in recent times.

Leicester won the league under Italian manager Claudio Ranieri and it is fair to say Riyad Mahrez was their best player throughout. Pep Guardiola missed out on Alexis Sanchez as the Chilean moved to the red half of Manchester to join Manchester United. But the Manchester City manager won't be too sad considering the fact that he now has a player of Riyad Mahrez’s calibre in his squad. City’s attacking prowess was on show in the previous season when they won the title in record-breaking fashion. The Algerian will glorify the already starstudded city side with his skilful gameplay.

Premier league fans waited to see Riyad Mahrez in a Manchester City shirt, a wish that has been fulfilled.

#4 Thomas Lemar

The little Frenchman recently joined Spanish giants, Atletico Madrid after spending last 3 years with Monaco. Lemar was part of the Monaco side who won the Ligue 1 in 2017 after pipping out the favourites PSG.

Lemar's presence on this list might be surprising for many but his sheer talent is undeniable. The Frenchman is a potent midfielder with great dribbling skills and is known for his ability to pick out a teammate from almost anywhere with his inch-perfect passes.

Atletico have failed to win the title for the last 4 years as the El Clasico rivals have dominated the domestic league and Diego Simeone realised that some upgradations are mandatory in order to mount a serious title challenge.

The former Monaco man was part of the French side who the world cup in Russia. Though Lemar didn't play much of a part, he will draw great confidence from the glory in Russia onto the next season.

#3 Alisson Becker

Liverpool managed to reach the final of UEFA champions league last season where they lost out to the defending champions- Real Madrid. Liverpool fans highly blame Loris Karius for Liverpool's dismal showing in Kiev as his errors proved to be the deciding factor as real walked out winning the match 3-1.

Blaming Karius might be too harsh but it was evident that Liverpool needs a new goalkeeper and they got their wish fulfilled as the Brazilian goalkeeper arrived from Roma to give the Merseyside club something to cheer about.

Alisson had a decent outing at the world cup despite crashing out at the quarterfinals stage as Belgium defeated Brazil 2-1.

With Liverpool's impressive attacking players, solid midfielders and a decent defence, a goalkeeper was all they needed in order to challenge Manchester city's reign at the top. And Becker's arrival gives The Reds that X-factor that might prove to be the deciding factor this season.

#2 Thibaut Courtois

The Belgian recently completed his switch from Chelsea to Real Madrid to become the new goalkeeper for Los Blancos. Chelsea fans might feel hurt on the Belgian's departure simply because Thibaut Courtois is one of the best goalkeepers in world football.

The towering Belgian was at his best in the recently concluded FIFA world cup in Russia. Belgium finished third and ended the tournament as one the most entertaining sides of the tournament. Belgium’s glorious run has to be credited to Courtois's impressive display on the field. Belgium produced one of the best performances of the tournament in Belgium's 2-1 win favourites Brazil in the quarterfinals. Courtois produced sensational saves to deny Neymar and co. a place in the semifinals.

The Belgian spent numerous seasons with the blues but is now a part of Real Madrid's roster. Courtois has had a brief spell in the Spanish capital when he was on loan from Chelsea to Real’s city rivals- Atletico Madrid.

Real Madrid fans will cherish the arrival of Thibaut Courtois and hope to challenge on all fronts in the upcoming season.

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo

And the biggest transfer of this summer has to be Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Italian giants Juventus. The Portuguese shocked the world as he ended his 9 years stay with Real Madrid to move to Turin and join Juventus. Ronaldo’s switch to Serie A from La Liga surprised the footballing world as well as the fans, who couldn’t believe that the Portuguese will no longer grace the field of Santiago Bernabeu on a weekly basis.

Ronaldo is 33 now but considering his supernatural playing prowess, it is no surprise that Juventus shelled out so much money on him. As per ESPN, the old lady club paid €100m to land the services of the Real Madrid's all-time top scorer.

With Ronaldo's move to Juventus, this brings an end to the El Clasico rivalry between him and his nemesis Lionel Messi.

Cristiano had won it all during his 9-year stint with Los Blancos and it's his sheer desire to accomplish new challenges that brings him to Juventus.

Ronaldo's addition might give Juventus a genuine chance of lifting the elusive UEFA Champions League title, a championship they haven't won for the last 22 years.