The European football season is finally back underway after two long months off. UEFA’s Women’s Euro 2022 tournament did its best to fill the void that the absence of men’s top-level football left – and congratulations to England’s fearless Lionesses, who finally brought football home after 56 long years of hurt – but doesn’t it feel good to have Europe’s elite back on centre stage? The traditional curtain-raisers took place last weekend, with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich winning their nations’ traditional Super Cups. Liverpool also defeated Manchester City to lift the Community Shield. Despite that, however, Oddschecker, which compares odds and provides free tips on European football, still makes Pep Guardiola’s Blues the favourites for the Premier League.
But even though the European season is now underway, the transfer window is still well and truly open. In fact, it doesn’t slam shut until 1st September. This summer has been one of the wildest in terms of transfers for many a year. Barcelona have baffled the world by spending upwards of €153m on five new superstars despite being more than €1bn in debt. Chelsea seem to have missed out on every target they have attempted to sign. Cristiano Ronaldo cannot find a potential suitor and looks set to play Europa League football next season. And Nottingham Forest – gearing up for their first season back in the English top-flight for over 20 years – have made a number of eye-opening signings including Manchester United duo Jesse Lingard and Dean Henderson. There are plenty more deals in the pipeline across the continent as well. Here are two huge deals that could still happen this summer.
Timo Werner
When Chelsea signed Timo Werner for a reported €50m two years ago, expectations couldn’t have been higher. The Germany international had just smashed in 93 goals in 158 appearances for RB Leipzig, providing 40 assists during the same timeframe. There weren’t many strikers on the planet that could match those numbers and he was expected to continue in the same vein in London, especially as the club he was joining had just lifted the UEFA Champions League shortly after his arrival. To say he has been a disappointment would be an understatement.
He has managed just 23 goals during his two years at Stamford Bridge. But worse than that, a number of high-profile misses have made him somewhat of a laughing stock. There is no doubt that the former Stuttgart man has talent and pace in abundance, but the Premier League has proven that his finishing ability is lacklustre. If the rumours are believed, the 26-year-old could be on his way back to the Red Bulls this summer, either on loan or on a permanent deal, with Thomas Tuchel keen to cut his losses, just as he did with Romelu Lukaku. Juventus are also thought to be waiting in the wings, and it would be a surprise to see Werner wearing that famous blue shirt next season.
Bernardo Silva
If Timo Werner’s time in England has been a disappointment, Bernardo Silva’s most definitely has not. Manchester City snapped up the Portugal international for €50m after he helped Monaco to the Champions League semifinals back in 2018. And that has proven to be a fine investment. The playmaking sensation has developed into one of the world’s finest players. He’s racked up 98 goal involvements in 250 appearances for City in the last four years and his all-round play has proven to be on a different level. He has won the Premier League title in four of his five seasons at the Etihad Stadium and has solidified himself as one of Pep Guardiola’s main men.
All of that makes it even more dumbfounding that the club would consider selling him. As we all know Manchester City are not exactly cash-strapped and, with the player still just 27 years of age, he has at least four years left at the peak of his powers.
Barcelona have been chasing after the attacking midfielder all summer long. Rumours persisted in recent weeks that the two clubs had agreed on a fee which was supposedly less than €80m. It remains to be seen whether the transfer actually goes through, especially as the Catalonian giants can’t find the money to pay Frenkie De Jong what they owe him.
