Opinion
The English Premier League transfer window opened on June 9 and will remain so until August 31.
FIFA’s Transfer Matching System ensures that France, Germany, Spain and nearest neighbour Scotland will also adhere to those dates.
That creates an intriguing and potentially profitable period for Europe’s biggest clubs as they haggle, barter and negotiate their way to what they hope are improved seasons on the ones just passed.
With Euro 2020 showcasing a wealth of top-class talent over the last month, any players with thoughts of switching clubs or enticing suitors would no doubt have left such work to their management teams. Now that the Euros are done and pre-season matches have begun for many European clubs, a host of players will have been updated on where they stand and the chances of a financially rewarding move just prior to the 2021/22 kick-off.
The Premier League, Bundesliga and LaLiga all begin on August 14, with Serie A starting one day earlier. That gives clubs just 29 days before commencement and the chance to add what they perceive to be the missing pieces to their squads.
And therein lies the fundamental challenge, not just finding those pieces but also identifying the areas of weakness where improvement can be made. For the champions of England, Germany and Italy, such weaknesses are few and far between.
Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan enjoyed dominant seasons and large margins of victory in the end. Spain will have a different dynamic in 2021/22, with champions Atletico Madrid, after prevailing in a tight race, determined to hold off traditional powers Real Madrid and Barcelona. Looming is Sevilla, a club beginning to challenge the top three on a more consistent basis.
Across the continent, there are many clubs seeking the injection of class to turn them from admirable competitors in the hunt for European competition into serious challengers for their domestic titles.
England is a perfect example, with clubs such as Arsenal, West Ham, Chelsea, Leicester and Tottenham looking to challenge a top three that do not appear to be weakened in any way.
AC Milan, Atalanta, Napoli and Juventus will be doing the same in Italy, while any transfers made by the chasing pack in Germany might be forlorn with Bayern looking standouts for a tenth consecutive title.
No doubt the current free agency status of Lionel Messi and England captain Harry Kane’s clear intention to depart Tottenham and win a trophy elsewhere will capture most of the headlines. Yet both would be far from a good suit at many of the clubs mentioned.
(Photo by Vincent Mignott/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Some would have little to no chance of finding the economic resources to gain their services. Most likely, the arrival of one star recruit would not automatically turn the fortunes of a fourth-placed team, no matter the individual’s talent.
Success is more built on a series of astute decisions across a four to six-year period with moves that build the depth and cohesion required to not only win domestic titles but also challenge in European competitions, something the holders of the purse strings are very keen to see done frequently.
Right now, it seems AC Milan feel Olivier Giroud is the man required to restore its fortunes, Manchester United appears to have hitched its wagon with Jadon Sancho and Roma has acquired Rui Patricio for a considerable fee.
Real Sociedad have presented a wonderful opportunity to Socceroo Mat Ryan, with rumours suggesting he will be the main man between the sticks for a team that showed immense promise in 2020/21 and Nuno Tavares leaves Benfica to head to Emirates Stadium and Arsenal.
(Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
In France, Sergio Ramos arrives at Paris Saint-Germain from Real Madrid and what loomed as one of the most significant European moves now appears in jeopardy, with Erling Haaland’s rumoured departure from Dortmund to the big-spending Chelsea looking less likely.
All of the above moves could be incredibly successful for both player and club. Yet they are no certainties in the world of football transfers, with so much at stake and so many variables.
Every now and then, transfer decisions are flawed and clubs stuck with a disenfranchised and unhappy player whose performances are just not up to the expectations of the manager.
As an example and despite their best season in decades, West Ham United continued to search for a new home for Brazilian Felipe Anderson, for whom it paid €36 million in 2018. After a loan spell in Portugal, the club will now settle for a paltry €4 million from Lazio and the financial impact of the move will continue to challenge a club desperately seeking to succeed upon its return to European play.
Such is the fickle nature of the transfer market. A market that sees people cite the unstoppable power of money when the City Group triumph with Manchester City and conversely, the power of building culture and spirit when Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are in full flight.
(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
In reality, the truth lies probably somewhere in between, with money definitely a factor. However, finding the right man, the right player, the right attitude and the right person is a far more complex challenge than hurling vast sums at a talented player.
As usual, some clubs will nail the current window, others will do nothing and their fans will explode in fury. Yet the next 30 days will go a long way towards deciding which clubs enjoy success this season and which will continue to be stuck in the mire.
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