Although some transfer windows remain open for a little longer, the big business is done for the majority of clubs this summer which was another very pricey one.
We put together the most expensive line-up accounting for positions in a fluid 3-5-2 system.
GK: David Raya
Although the Spaniard joined the Gunners last season on an initial loan deal, it is only now that the permanent fee has been paid to keep him in north London. If you are looking for the biggest ‘fresh’ goalkeeper move, that would be the €30m paid by Liverpool to Valencia for Giorgi Mamardashvili – although even he won’t arrive until next year!
CB: Max Kilman
Wolves had a busy summer on the sales front (more to come on that) as they opted to cash in on their skipper, as he left to be reunited with Julen Lopetegui at West Ham, who were big spenders across the board.
CB: Leny Yoro
Lille to Manchester United, €62m
The Frenchman became the summer’s most expensive defender when he opted for Old Trafford over Real Madrid. Unfortunately, he hasn’t had the best start to life at United, with an early injury ruling him out for several months.
CB: Matthijs de Ligt
Bayern Munich to Manchester United, €45m
The Dutchman narrowly edges out Riccardo Calafiori who joined Arsenal from Bologna by virtue of an additional €5m being a fixed part of the transfer and joins Yoro in a very expensive new United central defence.
RW: Pedro Neto
Wolves to Chelsea, €60m
Admittedly, we will have no issue on this one if you wanted to opt for Moussa Diaby over Neto. Both right-sided wingers moved for exactly the same fee (€60m), Neto swapping Wolves for Stamford Bridge, while the Frenchman left the Premier League after just one season to join Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
CM: João Neves
Benfica to PSG, €60m
Benfica have done it again. The Portuguese giants are one of the continent’s top selling clubs and have secured another huge fee for one of their prized assets with the sale of teenage midfielder Neves to PSG, who were happy to send Renato Sanches the other way in a separate deal. His career trajectory will sound as a note of caution for Portugal’s newest golden boy.
CM: Amadou Onana
Everton to Aston Villa, €59.3m
After two impressive seasons in a poor Everton side, Onana finally got his big move this summer when Aston Villa broke their transfer window to bring him to the Second City, while his sale also secures the Toffees their second highest fee for a player after Romelu Lukaku.
LW: João Félix
Atlético de Madrid to Chelsea, €52m
Perhaps not a left winger in the strictest sense (if you would prefer a more rigid player for that position the honour would likely be to follow Desiré Doué after his big move to PSG), he has still operated there enough recently to make it in. The Portugal international made a permanent return to Chelsea after a brief stint on loan in London 18 months ago.
CAM: Dani Olmo
Leipzig to Barcelona, €55m
It took Barcelona long enough to both get their man and then register him but when all was said and done for one of the most drawn-out summer sagas, the star of EURO 2024 had secured a return home, joining the Blaugrana from Leipzig.
ST: Dominic Solanke
Bournemouth to Tottenham, €64.3m
It may have taken a year but have Spurs finally secured their long-term replacement for club legend Harry Kane? A fellow England international has arrived in an attempt to fill his boots and build upon some impressive form on the south coast in recent seasons.
ST: Julián Álvarez
Manchester City to Atlético de Madrid, €75m
Last but not least, we have the summer’s most expensive player, with big-spending Atleti forking out €75m to Manchester City to sign the Argentine, whose career so far has been a guarantee of goals and trophies. Will he justify the price tag and continue that in the Spanish capital?
All transfer fees per Transfermarkt