There has been ongoing curiosity in this summer’s transfer window due to Saudi Arabia’s Pro League being under the spotlight, but which moves did you miss out on?
This seems like one of the longest transfer windows on record because of the longer Saudi and Turkish windows and the hectic commerce throughout the globe. The Saudi clubs finished their business late last week, and on September 15, the window will finally close in Turkey. Each team will have to get by with what they have until January.
It will be remembered as one of the most spectacular and extravagant transfer windows ever, with some players commanding nine-figure transfer prices. The transactions from the 2023 summer transfer window that you might have missed are discussed below by 5Times.
Youri Tielemans – Aston Villa to Leicester City
When Tielemans’ contract with Leicester ended in the summer, he unexpectedly chose to join the Unai Emery revolution at Aston Villa, despite recent links to powerhouses Arsenal and Liverpool. However, he is already having trouble joining the team.
Yannick Carrasco – Al-Shabab to Atletico Madrid to Al-Shabab
Carrasco joined struggling Al-Shabab from Atletico Madrid in the closing hours of the transfer window, making him one of the very few players to have ever played in both the Chinese Super League and the Saudi Pro League.
Otavio – Porto to Al-Nassr
Another player in his prime who has switched from playing in Europe to the Middle East is Otavio. The 28-year-old winger has joined Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr after the Saudi club forked out a whopping €60 million (£52 million/$64 million) to get him.
Yassine Bounou – Sevilla to Al-Hilal
Bounou is yet another well-known player who left European football behind. He is widely considered one of the greatest goalkeepers currently playing. The team that was able to persuade him to move to Saudi Arabia was Al-Hilal, who paid €20 million (£17 million/$21 million) for his services.
Nemanja Matic – Roma to Rennes
Matic left for Rennes this summer following a rumoured falling out with the infamously fiery Roma manager, so it appears their long-standing friendship has finally come to an end.
Niclas Fullkrug – Werder Bremen to Borussia Dortmund
Fullkrug, a frequent Bundesliga scorer for Germany, switched from Bremen to Dortmund on deadline day. The Black and Yellow have plenty of depth up front, and at 30, he is not exactly a spring bird, so this move has some people scratching their heads.
Nathan Tella – Southampton to Bayer Leverkusen
A successful loan season at Burnley in the Championship earned the player a transfer to Leverkusen. Late in the transfer period, Alonso’s team made a move, paying £20 million to get the English winger.
Matteo Guendouzi – Marseille to Lazio
Former Arsenal player Guendouzi has been busy this summer, moving from Marseille to Lazio for €18 million (£15.5 million) after missing the penalty that lost OM a spot in the Champions League.
Mateo Retegui – Boca Juniors to Genoa
Retegui, an Argentinean-born Italy international who had never even entered the nation before making his debut earlier in 2023 (he was qualified for a call-up through a grandfather), has had a long year. The striker, who has two goals in four games for the Azzurri, hopes to have a significant influence with recently promoted Genoa in Serie A.
Joaquin Correa – Inter to Marseille
Even though former Lazio manager Simone Inzaghi now manages Inter, Correa struggled at San Siro and had a little role as the Nerazzurri advanced to the Champions League final in 2022–23. He had little prospect of playing a significant amount this season, therefore he was sent on loan to Marseille.
Isco – Free agent to Real Betis
Isco had to go through hell after leaving Real Madrid, but he has now settled down after spending the second half of the last campaign as a free agent. The offensive midfielder is back playing football with Sevilla’s local rivals Real Betis after his dramatic departure from Sevilla.
Georgino Wijnaldum – PSG to Al-Ettifaq
This summer, Wijnaldum joined manager Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq, after his disastrous term with Paris Saint-Germain.
Hirving Lozano – Napoli to PSV
Lozano, a winger for Mexico, never quite reached his potential at Napoli despite helping them win the Scudetto last season. For a little portion of what the Serie A team paid for him in 2019, he is returning to PSV.
Dimitri Payet – Marseille to Vasco da Gama
West Ham star Payet relocated to Brazil instead of another French club or, as many would have predicted, Saudi Arabia in the summer after leaving his beloved Marseille for a second time.
Franck Kessie – Barcelona to Al-Ahli
After a disappointing stint at Camp Nou, Kessie sneaked out of Barcelona and joined for Al-Ahli for €12.5 million (£10.8 million) as Ilkay Gundogan and Oriol Romeu strengthened their midfield.
Denis Zakaria -Juventus to Monaco
Without any fault of his, Zakaria’s loan at Chelsea just did not succeed last season. The centre midfielder, who had previously returned to Juventus, has since made a permanent move and joined Monaco in Ligue 1.
Daichi Kamada – Frankfurt to Lazio
Attacking midfielder Kamada, a key player in Eintracht Frankfurt’s recent success, finally decided to transfer to Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio after carefully considering his alternatives after his contract. Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham were all mentioned during the summer.
Angel Di Maria – Juventus to Benfica
After leaving Juventus, Di Maria had an overload of offers on the table, including an eye-popping contract from Saudi Arabia, but the winger chose the sentimental route and moved back to Benfica, the team where he first made his reputation.
Andres Iniesta – Vissel Kobe to Emirates Club
Iniesta turned 39 in May, but he’s still active. After spending five years with Vissel Kobe in Japan, the Barcelona icon has signed with Emirates Club in Qatar, his third club in his illustrious career.
Allan Saint-Maximin – Newcastle to Al-Ahli
The clever winger joined the Saudi exodus, signing with Al-Ahli for £25 million ($32 million), bringing an understated end to Saint-Maximin’stenureat St. James’ Park, where he was a fan favourite.
