Udo Toby Prince
Football fans all over the world anticipate each summer transfer period as it affords them the mouth-watering opportunity of seeing players swap clubs.
Club management and coaches are not left out of the excitement as they also use the break to make re-enforcements where needed and lay off players deemed surplus to requirement.
We highlight the five heavyweight transfers thus far in Europe, taking into consideration, the transfer cost, clubs and age of players involved.
- Ada Turan (Atletico Madrid to Barcelona, £29)
After a successful 2014/2015 campaign where they won the treble, Barcelona has pulled off another major transfer stunt by clinching the signature of Ada Turan from Spanish rivals, Atletico.
The 28-year-old will not be able to play for the club until January as Barca are unable to register new players until 2016 under the terms of a FIFA ban.
Turan, who has played 81 times for Turkey, scored 22 goals and provided 32 assists in four seasons with Atletico after joining from Galatasaray in 2011.
- Carlos Bacca (Sevilla to AC Milan, £30M)
Carlos Bacca sealed a move to San Siro after an impressive 2014/2015 campaign with Europa League winners, Sevilla. The 28-year-old scored 49 goals and notched 22 assists in 108 appearances as the Andalusian side secured back-to-back Europa League titles.
The Colombian striker who had previously lined up for Club Brugge in Belgium will feature for the Italian giants till the summer of 2020.
- Douglas Costa (Shakhtar Donetsk to Bayern Munich, £24m)
The 24-year-old signed a five-year contract with Pep Guardiola’s side and will wear the number 11 jersey.
Costa, who has been capped nine times by Brazil, is an additional wide option for the German champions after Bayern were hampered by injuries to Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery last season.
“For me, today a dream came true. I am proud to play for Bayern, a club where many famous Brazilians have played before,” an elated Costa said.
- Petr Cech (Chelsea to Arsenal, £11)
Probably the biggest transfer coup of the summer, Cech joins London neighbours, Arsenal, after over a decade with Chelsea.
The 33-year-old legend unites with the Gunners after being subjected to a bit part role at Stamford Bridge last season.
He has been touted to solve the goal-keeping dilemma of Arsene Wenger’s team. Little wonder Chelsea skipper, John Terry, said “that will strengthen them for sure. He will save them 12 to 15 points a season.”
His first game for the club could be on July 25 against Lyon in the Emirates cup.
- Radamel Falcao (Monaco to Chelsea, Loan)
The second Colombian on our list, Radamel Falcao joins yet another English side on loan after an unproductive spell with Manchester United last season.
Nicknamed ‘El Tigre’, the 29-year-old has been long admired by Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho, while the pair were at Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid respectively.
Still respected as one of Europe’s hottest strikers, the new Chelsea number 9 will wrestle against former Atletico teammate, Diego Costa, for a spot in the Blues attack.
