After one of the craziest transfer windows ever, Goal picks out the most impressive deals based on quality, price and the buyers' needs
Getty ImagesTammy Abraham – Chelsea to Roma – €40m
The biggest deal done in Serie A this summer, and potentially one of the most influential.
It is very, very early days but Tammy Abraham, with his pace, selflessness and awareness, looks to have added a whole new dimension to a Roma side that finished seventh last season.
It is common knowledge that the 23-year-old Londoner required a lot of convincing to move to the Stadio Olimpico, but there is clearly the potential for Abraham to take his game to a whole under level under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho.
Admittedly, €40 million (£34m/$47m) is an awful lot of money for an unproven striker, particularly in a league financially decimated by the pandemic, but Abraham has already racked up one goal and two assists in his first two appearances for the Giallorossi.
Talk of a Scudetto challenge feels very premature, but the England centre-forward might just have it in him to sustain a top-four tilt, which would represent an excellent return on Roma's investment.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesDavid Alaba – Bayern Munich to Real Madrid – Free
Bayern Munich refused to bow David Alaba's exorbitant wage demands, but Real Madrid were only too happy to offer the Austria international a reported net salary of €12m (£10.3m/$14.2m) per year.
Los Blancos have, of course, been attempting to cut costs over the past two windows because of the economic effects of the Covid-19 crisis, but it is easy to understand why they were willing to push the boat out for Alaba.
Firstly, they had a massive hole to fill in defence following the departure of former captain Sergio Ramos and Alaba is an outrageously talented footballer capable of playing in a variety of positions.
Secondly, he was available on a free transfer and, given he is only just turned 29, Madrid understandably believe that this world-class performer still has a huge amount left to offer at the very highest level.
Getty ImagesHakan Calhanoglu – AC Milan to Inter – Free
AC Milan have been extremely active this summer, wrapping up deals for 11 players in total, but there is no disguising the fact that they were hit hard by the loss of two key players on free transfers.
Gigi Donnarumma's departure hit hard, because he was a youth-academy product who had become arguably the best player in the world in his position. However, Milan have, at least, replaced him well, by bringing in Mike Maignan from Lille.
There is also the fact that the Italy goalkeeper has left for Paris Saint-Germain rather than another Serie A club. Hakan Calhanoglu, though, has joined Milan's city rivals Inter, which makes his exit particularly painful for Milan.
Again, Brahim Diaz could prove an excellent substitute for the Turkey international, but the Real Madrid loanee is not yet at the same level. Few players proved as crucial to the Rossoneri's revival under Stefano Pioli as Hakan, who excelled after being deployed as a trequartista.
Worse still, he is already looking like an ideal fit for Simone Inzaghi's Inter, with Hakan having racked up a goal and an assist on his Nerazzurri debut a fortnight ago.
Getty ImagesMemphis Depay – Lyon to Barcelona – Free
It has been a traumatic transfer window for Barcelona fans, as the full extent of the club's economic crisis became painfully clear.
As well as losing the legendary Lionel Messi to PSG for nothing, the Blaugrana were forced to shop in the bargain basement in a desperate bid to strengthen their squad.
It remains to be seen if Eric Garcia will develop into a world-class centre-half, or if Sergio Aguero will ever be injury-free, but Memphis Depay is already looking like an inspired signing.
The 27-year-old has always had the talent to shine at the highest level, of course, and Ronald Koeman knows full well how to get the best out of the versatile forward, with the pair having previously worked together in the Netherlands national team.
So, with two goals in his first three Liga appearances, Memphis might just be capable of making the coming campaign a little more bearable for Barca's beleaguered supporters.