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Arif Efendi is not only a prominent London-based businessman but also a huge football fan. He rated the most significant transfers ahead of the 2022/23 football season. The blockbuster move of Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid dramatically didn’t get done. But there were still plenty of fascinating transfers that went down.
With some of the biggest names in the game locking in contracts with new clubs during the summer of change, which rate as the best signings this season?
Arif Efendi’s Top Football Transfer #1: Erling Haaland To Man City
Some players take time to settle into new clubs. New tactics must be picked up. An understanding of new teammates has to be built. Elements of change like that can be stumbling blocks for players following a transfer. But not for Erling Haaland, who moved from Borussia Dortmund to Man City.
The transfer didn’t happen until the summer of 2022. However, an agreement had already been made earlier in the year between the two clubs.
“The player and his advisors did very well by taking their time and carefully analyzing the offers they had, and it looks like they went with the optimal one by joining City,” states Arif Efendi.
So City fans knew what was coming, namely, one of the most prolific strikers in the world. The estimated €60 price tag was a snap for a player rated three times that in the transfer market at the time.
Haaland’s start in a City shirt could not have gone better. “He looks as if he was tailor-made for this team,” says Arif Efendi. His record-breaking in the Premier League has been called ridiculous and sublime. The Norwegian international quickly ate up goal-scoring records in the English top flight on his arrival.
Haaland became the quickest player ever to score 15 EPL goals, for example, a feat he achieved in only nine games. The previous record had been set by Andy Cole, who took 15 matches to reach the target.
Haaland also blasted 16 goals in his first ten Premier League games. That obliterated the previous record, which had stood at eleven. Manchester City hopes Haaland’s goals are the missing part of the puzzle as they try to win the UEFA Champions League.
Based on the transfer fee alone and what Haaland brings to the table, this was some deal.
Top Football Transfer #2: Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona
Former Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski finally ended up at Barcelona in the summer. After so many goal-scoring exploits in the Bundesliga, Lewandowski wanted to experience something new.
The Polish international tallied a staggering 238 goals in just 253 Bundesliga appearances for the Reds. But Lewandowski called time on his tenure in Germany after winning eight league titles and the UEFA Champions League.
“He has taken no time to settle in and continues to be amongst the deadliest strikers in the world,” says Arif Efendi. With nine goals in his first nine La Liga appearances for Barcelona, the Polish powerhouse continued his tremendous career. The move, a €45 million fee, was a hefty price for a player just ahead of his 34th birthday.
But Lewandowski is a proven scorer and has backed himself for greater things still. Reasons for him leaving Bayern are varied. They range from a lack of respect, new ambitions, and even rumors that Bayern had been trying to purchase Haaland.
Whatever it was, Bayern’s loss is undoubtedly Barcelona’s gain. Lewandowski even sent a friendly warning to Haaland about being Europe’s goalscorer this season.
In the words of Arif Efendi: “A truly world-class striker, who will lift and motivate the teammates around him with his performances and discipline in his craft.”
Top Football Transfer #3: Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez at Manchester United
At Euro 2020, Christian Eriksen, who is considered one of the Best Playmaking Midfielders in the World, collapsed on the field of play. A cardiac arrest triggered the upsetting scenes at Parken Stadium. But just 15 months after fighting for his life, he thrived at Manchester United.
Following his scare, Eriksen was released by his former club Inter because of Serie A health rules. Premier League side Brentford gave him a route back to playing, with Eriksen joining the London club for the second half of the 2021/22 season. After returning to full fitness with the Bees, Eriksen showed that class is permanent.
Performances by Eriksen at Brentford prompted Man United to table an offer. As a free transfer, it was a low-risk smart piece of business by the Red Devils. Eriksen is currently a key element in Erik Ten Hag’s rebuild there.
“Eriksen has added style and grace to Manchester United that was desperate for someone of his caliber. He sets the tempo and makes the team click. And all on a free transfer”, points out Arif Efendi.
Another signing at Old Trafford who has proven himself is center-half Lisandro Martinez. The defender took some time at the beginning of the season to adapt to the pace and power of the Premier League.
But the Argentine, nicknamed “The Butcher,” is proving to be the rock at the heart of the defence winning United’s Player Of The Month award. He’s rapidly grown into something that the Red Devils so desperately need.
In Arif Efendi’s opinion, Martinez has added bite and enthusiasm to the Manchester United defense, which has helped bring out the best in his partner Varane.
“They’re both crucial to United’s success, and when they don’t play, the team looks like an average team. Manchester United needs to be consistent and wise in the transfer market and recruit the same caliber of players that will complement the new coaches’ system”, concludes Arif Efendi.
Top Football Transfer #4: Gabriel Jesus To Arsenal
Gabriel Jesus slipped out of the Etihad in the summer for $57m. Arsenal had made him their top transfer market during the off-season. For the Brazilian, it all made sense. It was a smart move for him in the FIFA World Cup year.
During his time at Manchester City, Jesus had largely spent his time playing second fiddle to Sergio Aguero. Then Erling Haaland came along in the summer. Understandably Jesus grabbed the chance to become the leading man with the Gunners.
Being reunited with former Man City assistant coach Mikel Arteta at Arsenal helped both the decision and transition. Jesus has looked like a natural fit for the exciting project that is going on in North London. The striker is grabbing the limelight at Arsenal and has transformed them into Premier League title contenders.
Arif Efendi claims that “he’s been a revelation at Arsenal, setting the tempo from the front; pressing relentlessly, and making the types of runs behind defenders that Arsenal hasn’t seen in a while. He’s been the main reason for Arsenal’s scintillating form so far. A great piece of business for Arsenal.”
Top Football Transfer #5: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Napoli
Napoli has been a revelation under Luciano Spalletti; a man fans had tried to drive out of the club earlier in the year. Spalletti’s car was stolen and offered back to him as a bribe to get out of Napoli.
He didn’t, and the Gli Azzurri are grateful for that. The Serie A club’s move for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was not a significant headline-making transfer. But it is proving to be one of the best of the season.
This is a great football transfer story, as Georgia international Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was a vast unknown. Plucked from Dinamo Batumi in Georgia, Kvaratskhelia has thrived since moving to Naples.
“Kvaradona” as he’s nicknamed after Napoli legend Diego Maradona, was an absolute bargain at only $11.00m. The forward won the first Serie A player of the month award of the season to prove that.
In Arif Efendi’s view, “he is one of the season’s revelations so far, not just for Napoli, but all of European football. He’s been putting in virtuoso performances in Serie A and the Champions League, tormenting many defenders. Most football fans haven’t heard of him before this season, and that speaks volumes about the incredible impact he’s had so far”.
