Goal.com’s Top 20 transfers of summer 2011

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    Each European transfer window, Goal.com decides on the best acquisitions, in order from 1 to 20, and we encourage you to let us know your thoughts.

    We judge based on:

    • The player’s overall ability (this being the most important factor)
    • How the player will fit into his new line-up
    • How the player will adapt to his new surroundings, and vice-versa
    • The transfer fee payable, if any, and any other financial details known. (Transfer fees unconfirmed by either club or otherwise unknown are given as approximations and are marked in italics.)

    For the reason that players arriving on permanent deals tend to be more adaptable and often more important, there is preference given to full transfers over loans. That is not to say that loans, co-ownerships etc. cannot be included, but players must be extra special to justify a space on such a move.


    With all of that explained, here is the first installment of this summer’s list – which will be updated every Monday. Expect to see lots of changes from now until the close of the window, with big moves still to happen on the continent.

    1  Alexis SANCHEZ
    Read more on Sanchez
    From:     Udinese
    To:     Barcelona
    Fee:     €37.5m (£32.8m)

    Shortly after joining the European champions, the Chile international declared that he hopes to one day be as good as new team-mate Lionel Messi. Sanchez may have some way to go yet, but one thing is for certain, La Liga has itself yet another superstar in this explosive 22-year old.

    GROUP A

    2  Nuri SAHIN 

    From:     Borussia Dortmund
    To:     Real Madrid
    Fee:     €10m (£8.7m)

    Having been pivotal in Dortmund’s league success last season, the 22-year-old Turkish international is likely to have been briefed with the same goal at the Bernabeu for 2011-12. A potential Barcelona beater and cost only €10m; the capital outfit have secured an unbelievable bargain.

    GROUP A

    3  Sergio AGUERO
    Read more on Aguero
    From:     Atletico Madrid
    To:     Manchester City
    Fee:     £35m

    The former Atletico Madrid man has been earmarked as the replacement for the unsettled Carlos Tevez but he has the ability to far surpass the achievements of his compatriot at Eastlands. Strong, fast and deadly in front of goal, the explosive star looks set to take the Premier League by storm in 2011-12 and beyond.

    4  Manuel NEUER

    Read more on Neuer
    From:     Schalke
    To:     Bayern Munich
    Fee:     €18m (£15.7m)

    Having solidified his position amongst the continent’s finest goalkeepers at the Veltins Arena last season, Neuer moves to Bayern Munich in the form of his life. Dissenters may not have welcomed the 25-year-old with open arms but his ability alone could be enough to quieten the boo boys throughout the upcoming campaign.

    GROUP A

    5  Arturo VIDAL 
    Read more on Vidal
    From:     Bayer Leverkusen
    To:     Juventus
    Fee:     €10.5m (£9.1m)

    The former Colo Colo man arrives in Turin on the back of four superb years in the Bundesliga. Having personified consistency in Germany, the 24-year-old will be looking to prove himself as one of, if not the leading, defensive midfielder in Europe on joining Juventus.

    GROUP A

    6  GERVINHO 
    Read more on Gervinho
    From:     Lille
    To:     Arsenal
    Fee:     €13.5m (£11.8m)

    There are still improvements required if Arsenal are to challenge for the Premier League title in 2011-12 but the addition of the incisive Ivorian could prove absolutely vital. With only one Gunners player scoring over 10 in the league last term, Gervinho could be the man to make the difference.

    GROUP A

    8  Theo JANSSEN 
    Read more on Janssen
    From:     Twente
    To:     Ajax
    Fee:     €3.5m (£3m)

    With 13 goals from central midfield, Theo Janssen was by far and away the best player in last season’s Eredivisie. The 30-year-old has left Twente to join title rivals Ajax in what could prove to be an incredibly decisive signing come the end of the 2011-12 season.

    GROUP A

    GROUP A

    10  David DE GEA
    Read more on De Gea
    From:     Atletico Madrid
    To:     Manchester United
    Fee:     €19.5m (£17m)

    Having been given the unenviable task of replacing Edwin van der Sar at Old Trafford, the pressure will be on the Spaniard to deliver almost instantly. However, with a mature head on young shoulders, the former Atletico man is likely to surprise his doubters in 2011-12, as a new era begins between the sticks at Old Trafford.

    GROUP A

    11  Stephan LICHTSTEINER 
    Read more on Lichtsteiner
    From:     Lazio
    To:     Juventus
    Fee:     €10m (£8.7m)

    The wait would appear to be over for Juventus. Having been disappointed by a succession of below-par full-backs over the past few years, the Switzerland international offers the promise of solidity to solve the Turin giants’ recent defensive woes. As consistent as they come, this deal looks a real shrewd addition for Juve.

    GROUP A

    12  Jeremy TOULALAN 
    Read more on Toulalan
    From:     Lyon
    To:     Malaga
    Fee:     €10m (£8.7m)

    With Paris Saint-Germain aiming to dominate French football in the coming seasons, it would appear that the sun is setting on Lyon’s golden era. It is therefore symbolic that the man who marshalled their midfield over 150 times has departed, too. In Toulalan, the Ligue 1 side have lost a vital asset and Malaga have gained a star.

    13  Gokhan INLER
    Read more on Inler
    From:     Udinese
    To:     Napoli
    Fee:     €12m (£10.5m)

    Despite being unveiled as a Napoli player whilst wearing a lion mask, it must be made clear that Inler is no joke. A pivotal cog in the Udinese machine last season, the Swiss star will enter the Champions League with his new side having aided his old outfit in reaching the very same destination in 2010-11.

    GROUP A

    14  Andre SCHURRLE
    Read more on Schurrle
    From:     Mainz
    To:     Bayer Leverkusen
    Fee:     €8m (£6.9m)

    If the 2010-11 Bundesliga season was the year for uncovering unknown gems, then few defined the term as well as the tricky Mainz left-winger. With 15 goals and five assists in the league, as well as collecting his first cap for Germany in November, the future looks extremely bright for the 20-year-old.

    GROUP A

    15 Justo VILLAR
    Read more on Villar
    From:     Valladolid
    To:     Estudiantes
    Fee:     Free

    Uruguay’s Luis Suarez may have been voted as the Copa America’s best player but there can be no question that for many, the tournament’s true star was Justo Villar. At 34, the Paraguayan rolled back the years in Argentina, proving to the world that Estudiantes have been fantastically shrewd in securing his signature this summer.

    GROUP A

    17  Miroslav KLOSE
    Read more on Klose
    From:     Bayern Munich
    To:     Lazio
    Fee:     Free

    Having spent his entire career in Germany, many would have expected Bayern Munich to be the 33-year-old’s final club before retirement. However, it speaks volumes of the man that in the twilight of his career he is still willing to attempt a new challenge. If Lazio can supply him with decent service consistently, it could be a very successful move for the former Kaiserslauten goal-getter.

    GROUP A

    GROUP A

    GROUP A

    20 Charlie ADAM
    Read more on Adam
    From:     Blackpool
    To:     Liverpool
    Fee:     £8.7m

    The Scottish revelation was always likely to move on to a bigger stage than Blackpool after his fine first season in the Premier League. Now, following his move to join compatriot Kenny Dalglish at Anfield, the 25-year-old has the chance to prove himself at the highest level.

    In a list such as the above, there are inevitably notable omissions. The deals for Fabio Coentrao, Phil Jones, Jeremy Menez and Andrea Pirlo were all close to making our selection but missed out narrowly for varying reasons.

    Totalling £233m, the top 20 comprises of both remarkable bargains and deals to make the eyes water, with three players moving for no fee and the likes of Aguero and Sanchez edging close to the £35m mark.

    Averaging £11.6m per deal, the list represents excellent value when taking into account the quality of individuals that it possesses. That said, with the window entering its final month, don’t be surprised to see prices hit their peak in the coming weeks as clubs desperately scramble to improve their respective squads.

    With the likes of Inter, Chelsea, AC Milan, Tottenham, Marseille and Roma yet to feature, be sure to check out next week’s installment to keep up-to-date with who’s going where this summer.

    See the rest here:
    Goal.com’s Top 20 transfers of summer 2011