5 most surprising transfers across Europe in 2015

Even though viewers across the world stay glued to their television screens to have a peek at their heroes battling it out in the football ground, there is that one period which attracts avid enthusiasts like anything; the transfer season. Football fans simply go berserk when the transfer market is up and running. There is a hubbub of activity when that happens, and the ensuing migration of players from one club to another is a feast for followers the world over.Buy-out clauses, free agents and deadline-day deals become the major talking points at tea tables. Favourite players sometimes turn into sworn enemies in a matter of minutes and rumours arise from all corners possible, and it is this unpredictability that makes the transfer season even more relishing for a football fan.This summer has witnessed a number of jaw-dropping moves with clubs splashing money to sign established stars from other topc lubs. Here are the five most surprising transfers across Europe so far.

#5 Petr Cech - Chelsea to Arsenal

In one of the first few transfers to happen this season, the current Premier League champions Chelsea sold their second-choice goalkeeper Petr Cech to Arsenal. Even though the club has received plaudits for having sold the 33-year-old for £11 million, this transfer might turn out to be something that the Blues will regret come the start of the season.

Ever since the tall and lanky Czech landed at the English capital, he has produced save after save to rescue Chelsea in crunch situations. In spite of having suffered a career-threatening injury after a collision with Reading’s Stephen Hunt in 2006, Cech stood tall with his die-hard spirit and professionalism to rekindle his footballing aspirations.

The primary reason as to why this transfer is so surprising is because Chelsea have sold their talismanic veteran to their main London rival. Also, given Jose Mourinho’s historically sour relations with the Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, the deal involving Cech almost defies logic. But club owner Roman Abramovich stepped in and allowed Cech to move to Arsenal so his family could continue to stay in London.

When asked about Cech’s exit, Chelsea skipper John Terry reportedly said that Cech has the ability to singlehandedly earn the Gunners no less than 12 to 15 points. Cech’s move has already been hailed as the ‘signing of the summer’, and it is a no-brainer that he is bound to bring guaranteed improvement.

#4 Fabian Delph - Aston Villa to Manchester City

Perhaps the most shocking transfer of them all was the deal which sent Fabian Delph flying in from Aston Villa to Manchester City on a five-year contract. The blue half of Manchester is already rejoicing at the idea of the talented and promising English youngster playing for their club.

But the deal was not at all a straightforward one. It was a thrilling tale which unfolded episode by episode. Delph was on the verge of signing for the Citizens but decided against doing so at the eleventh hour. The Aston Villa captain then went on to pledge his loyalty to the Villains faithful, dismissing the intense media speculation.

In a surprising turn of events, Manchester City triggered his £8 million release clause before Delph did a shocking double U-turn and underwent a medical at the club. The move has angered Villa fans who have felt betrayed by their captain’s decision to desert them. It is widely acknowledged that Delph will have to fight it out for a place in City’s starting lineup with the likes of Yaya Toure, Fernandinho and Fernando.

This will limit the homegrown Englishman’s chances of regularly starting for City and might even affect his dreams of playing regularly for his country. Still, Delph brings in a fresh spark and boost of energy coupled with stability to the Manchester City midfield.

#3 Arturo Vidal - Juventus to Bayern Munich

Very recently, Bayern Munich completed the transfer of Arturo Vidal from the Italian giants Juventus as the midfielder agreed to a four-year deal with the Germans. Vidal will set his sights on the Bundesliga, something he could never win in his stint with Bayer Leverkusen. His switch to the Allianz Arena has been finalized for a fee reported to be around £28 million.

Bayern has made a very smart money move for the Chilean‘s services, as he could have fetched a higher price. He looks all set to replace Bastian Schweinsteiger who has departed for Manchester United. There were rumours that Vidal would be joining Arsenal after Alexis Sanchez, his Gunner compatriot, reportedly persuaded him to join the North Londoners.

Hence, it came as a big surprise when he opted to not embark on the much challenging arena of the EPL and instead decided to return to the familiar territory of the slower German game. The fact that Juventus had lost two of its key players in Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez also stemmed the belief that they would not indulge in a sale of Vidal at least this season as he outshone many of his teammates in the Old Lady’s two trophies and their progress to the Champions League final.

Discounting all that, Vidal will bring in his quick surges into the box for Bayern under Guardiola.

#2 Arda Turan - Atletico Madrid to Barcelona

Barcelona recently acquired the services of Arda Turan from Atletico Madrid even though the Turkish captain was heavily linked to Premier League champions, Chelsea. But it was the Catalans who came up trumps in the transfer war.

Turan’s arrival saw quite a lot of commotion and chaos in Catalunya with respect to the Barcelona Presidential Elections, as it was a specially constituted Commission which approved the transfer. The Turkish captain’s sale was seen by many as a surprising move because he had been instrumental in Atleti’s recent La Liga campaigns.

An attacking midfielder who is renowned for his no-fear attitude, Turan’s move from the Spanish capital to a rival club only served the purpose of sowing seeds of bewilderment in the fans’ minds. Even though his transfer fee of £29 million was no small deal, his choice of club came as a bit of a surprise especially since he cannot play until Barcelona’s transfer ban, imposed for irregularities in signing young players, is lifted in January.

The Blaugrana’s preference of a summer transfer target in Turan to someone like Paul Pogba, who they were associated with, was also somewhat a surprising move. But the Turkish international is sure to offer a lot of grit and mental strength to the Catalans in demanding situations.

#1 Bastian Schweinsteiger - Bayern Munich to Manchester United

Bastian Schweinsteiger’s transfer from Bayern Munich to Manchester United sent shockwaves across the global football fraternity. Schweinsteiger has always been someone with an iconic stature in the folklore of Munich. But the German international and captain pulled the curtains on his 17-year long career for the Bavarian club, before moving to the red half of Manchester.

The World Cup winning midfielder’s transfer is a surprise owing to the fact that he had chosen to stay put with Bayern amid interests from other big clubs over the years. He had also issued a statement recently, months before his departure, that he wanted to win a fourth consecutive Bundesliga title with Bayern, a feat no club has ever achieved in German history. Besides, a majority of the German stars are always famed for their loyalty and disinterest in moving to foreign shores.

Some pundits have slammed United for their shock move for the German due to his injury record of late. A transfer fee to the tune of £15 million for a player who turned 31 just before the start of the season is also something worth introspecting upon.

However, without any shred of doubt, we can say that Schweinsteiger is a definite value addition to the Red Devils purely because of the amount of experience and wisdom he can bring to the squad.