Top 5 big name transfers so far this summer

The transfer window is quite unpredictable, just as Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo has shown us this summer. After spending nine memorable years at Santiago Bernabeu winning a lot of trophies and numerous individual honors, the Portuguese decided to put an end to his relationship with the Spanish giants by securing a move away from the club and joining Italian champions, Juventus in the Seria A.

However, Ronaldo is not the only top player to have switched clubs during the transfer window. There have been a lot of popular deals involving elite players and elite clubs across several leagues on the European soil.

As a matter of fact, the summer has witnessed a number of top footballers moving from one club to another to take on new challenges in their respective careers. Therefore, let us quickly explore the top 5 big-name superstars who have completed famous deals during the transfer window:

#5 Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City to Manchester City)

Riyad Mahrez finally got his dream move

Algerian International, Riyad Mahrez was expected to join Premier League champions, Manchester City during the winter transfer window. But, the failure to agree on a deal with Leicester City ensured that the move fell through and the winger remained at the King Power stadium throughout the 2017/2018 campaign.

Everyone knows that Pep Guardiola often gets what he wants. The manager came back hunting for the attacker again during the summer, and this time, he was successful with his approach - snatching the Algerian from The Foxes in a mega-deal worth £60 million.

Mahrez's move to Manchester City is arguably the biggest transfer in the English top flight so far this summer. The 27-year-old year is already adapting to life in his new club, linking up with his new teammates as they participate in the ongoing International Champions Cup.

#4 Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus to Paris Saint Germain)

Buffon joined Paris Saint Germain during the World Cup

Age is just a number to a few superstars, including Juventus and Italian legend, Gianluigi Buffon. At 40, the goalkeeper has shown he is confident that he still has more years to spend at the top, with his decision to take on a new challenge in the French league this summer.

Following a successful campaign in the Seria A in which he won both the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia with Juventus, Buffon has taken a new step in his career. The guardian departed the Old Ladies and moved a step further by completing an ambitious transfer to join French champions, Paris Saint Germain in the Ligue 1 this summer.

The Parisians have welcomed their new signing into the team, allowing him to represent the club during a couple of friendly matches recently. Buffon will compete with Kevin Trapp for the starting role when the 2018/2019 campaign begins.

#3 Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus to AC Milan)

The Argentine snubbed offers from English clubs to remain in the Italian top flight

Following some major changes in the Juventus squad recently, Argentine attacker, Gonzalo Higuain was one of the few superstars that were open to the exit door out of the club this summer. The striker became a subject of intense speculation as many clubs became aware of his situation at the Allianz Stadium.

A couple of English Premier League clubs including Chelsea and Manchester United were rumored to be interested in signing the 30-year-old. In fact, his former manager, Maurizio Sarri expressed his desire to lure the attacker to Stamford Bridge as the Italian sought a reunion with his former superstar in London.

However, Higuain eventually decided to remain in the Seria A, joining AC Milan in a swap deal that saw Leonardo Bonnuci return to Juventus and Caldera linking up with the Argentine at the San Siro stadium.

#2 Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich to Barcelona)

The Chilean will replace Paulinho at Barcelona

La Liga champions, FC Barcelona have completed a couple of shocking deals this summer, with the acquisition of Bayern Munich superstar, Arturo Vidal being one of them. The Catalans secured the signing of the Chilean midfielder almost from nowhere, similar to what they did when they lured Malcolm from Bordeaux recently.

Vidal has been one of the most consistent performers in Europe for the past few years. The 31-year-old was one of the prominent figures that led Juventus to the UEFA Champions League final in 2015 before joining Bayern Munich a few months later. He spent 3 years in the Bundesliga before talks of a potential departure arose at the Allianz Stadium.

Several rumors had initially suggested that the midfielder was heading towards Inter Milan. But, it ended up that Barcelona eventually secured his signature, with the Catalan giants paying a decent fee of €18 million to lure him away from the German top flight. The superstar was signed as a replacement to the departed Paulinho, who returned to the Chinese league this summer.

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid to Juventus)

Ronaldo's transfer has dominated the summer

Nothing is impossible in football - that is what Portuguese superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo has shown us this summer. It started like drama, but it ended up becoming a reality. The Real Madrid legend has finally departed the Spanish giants, completing a famous £88 million switch to join Italian heavyweights, Juventus in the Seria A.

That move has been the biggest deal of the summer, and perhaps, the biggest one in the last decade. The 5-time Ballon d'Or winner will link up with other top superstars at the Allianz stadium including the likes of Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic, Douglas Costa, Blaise Matuidi and Giorgio Chiellini in their bid to win the UEFA Champions League for the Old Ladies.

After conquering both the English Premier League and the La Liga, Ronaldo is on a mission to prove his incredible abilities in the Italian league as well. The 33-year-old never tires of new challenges and that has played a huge role in his decision to swap Real Madrid for Juventus this summer.