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Who doesn't love a great bargain? The feeling of gratification knowing you purchased something way below it's worth. In sports, it's no different. Across the globe, you'll find tremendous talent and young kids with tremendous potential! You just have to know how to scout them. In today's hyper-inflated market, it's really rare for a parent club to not put an astronomical price tag on their players. For some teams in the lower leagues across the globe, it's an important source of revenue. Down in South America, for example, you will find Brazilian teams selling there most prized assets at ridiculous prizes. If a European giant knocks on their door, they know they're loaded with cash. So it's smart business to get the maximum amount of money possible for your prized asset.
So when a football club manages to acquire a special talent for a reasonable amount, it's always a moment to cherish. Being able to scout talent and acquiring them is not only a skill but a beautiful art in itself. Nobody can forget Leicester City's Cinderella run during the 2015/16 Premier League title triumph. But before that even occurred, there were many months of preparation and an astute amount of transfer deals going through. On the very first day of the transfer market, Leicester acquired Christian Fuchs and Robert Huth for a combined total of $3 million. They would go on to acquire an unknown midfield engine from Caen known as N'Golo Kante for a reported $5.6 million. Demari Gray was signed that January transfer window from Birmingham City for a reported $3.7 million euros. All these players would go on to become staples in the first team and alongside Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, Danny Drinkwater and a few others would lead Leicester City to their first unlikely Premier League title.
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As Leicester showed, a great eye for talent and a small wallet can garner great results when done properly. Last summer saw an abundance of players change colors. We take a look at the five players who have turned out to be bargain football transfers for their clubs. They have not only justified their price tag but have improved their value with some astute showings on the field. Here are five bargains of the 2018/19 season!
Paco Alcacer (Borussia Dortmund), $24 million
What started off as a full season loan deal ended in a measly $23 permanent transfer plus add-ons for the Spain international. Paco Alcacer has 10 goals from 8 appearances with 6 of those appearances coming off the bench. He's been dubbed the Super Sub by the German media for his ability to score goals off the bench. What a turn around it has been for Paco Alcacer, and what a move from Borrusia Dortmund.
Paco Alcacer surely did his career a favor by moving to Borrusia seeing him gather valuable first-team action and in the process seeing him back in Luis Enrique's Spain squad. International inclusion saw him score two goals against Wales and a sublime header against England over the last international break. At 25 years of age, Paco Alcacer still has his entire career ahead of him, and it wouldn't be a surprise in the near future if we see that price tag triple in value given his current run of form. At a remarkable 28 minutes per goal, he tops the Bundesliga scoring charts alongside Frankfurt's Luka Jovic with 10 goals so far and Alcacer shows no signs of slowing down.
At the time of writing, he is Dortmund's leading goalscorer with 10 goals followed by Marco Reus (9) and the promising Jadon Sancho (4). Borrusia Dortmund is currently on top of the table with 33 points from a possible 39 with Borrusia M'Gladbach 7 points behind and German giants Bayern Munich 9 points behind. Borrusia is flying high at the moment with the entire team playing an attractive and offensive style of play, with Alcacer playing a tremendous role. What a signing by Dortmund!
Archaf Hakimi (Borussia Dortmund), 2 year-loan
Borrusia Dortmund again gets featured for their smart capture of Achraf Hakimi on a two-year loan deal from Real Madrid. Archaf has assisted on 6 occasions so far and has found the back of the net 1 time this season. The 20-year old left back represents today's modern attacking fullback. He pushes forward in attack and is an astute passer of the ball, with a passing success rate of 87.6% over 68 passes attempted per game.
On October 24, 2018, Archaf Hakimi's potential was displayed on the grandest stage of them all. In their Champions League clash against El Cholo Simeone's defensively oriented Atletico Madrid, Hakimi absolutely destroyed fullback Juanfran to shreds. His rapid pace and passing skills were on full display as he grabbed 3 assists in the game. Hakimi confirmed the fact that he's one of the best young left-backs emerging in the game.
At just 20 years of age, the sky is the limit for the 20-year-old Moroccan. Borrusia Dortmund promised him game time and in the process, he has made the left back position his own. At this rate, he looks like the perfect Marcelo replacement in the near future. Though, at this rate, Real Madrid would be wary of him progressing to the point of leaving the Santiago Bernabeu side for another club or Dortmund itself once his loan deal ends.
David Brooks (Bournemouth), $11 million
For most of the season, much of the Cherries Spotlight has been glazed upon Scottish Winger Ryan Fraser and English striker Callum Wilson. And rightly so because the two front men have combined for a total of 12 goals and 12 assists of Bournemouth's 25 goals and fired the small-budgeted Bournemouth side towards a respectable 7th place in the Premier League table. However, a young 5'8-tall right-sided winger from Warrington is also quickly making a name for himself in Bournemouth's campaign so far.
Signed for a reported $11.5 million from Second-Tier Sheffield United, David Brooks has slowly but steadily been developing into a Premier League quality winger. In 14 EPL games of which he has started 13, he has found the back of the net 3 times and assisted on one occasion. His first-touch finish wonder goal against Crystal Palace showcased his ability. He's attempted .6 dribbles per game and has had a pass accuracy of 72.5% from 24.1 attempted passes per game. Not bad numbers for a 21-year old having his first crack in one of the most competitive leagues in the world.
At 21 years of age, he's still a raw gem .6 dribbles per game from a winger do not demonstrate good numbers from a winger, but he still has a lot of space to grow. At $11.5 million Bournemouth has acquired a cornerstone for the future with loads of potential. In comparison, Brighton splashed $17 million on Iranian international Alireza Jahanbakhsh who has yet to find the back of the net. Wolverhampton Wanderers spent $18 million on Spanish winger Adama Traore and he's only found the back of the net once.
Gervinho (Parma), Free Transfer
Gervinho has certainly rolled back the years at Parma. Parma has hit the ground flying on their return to the Serie A following a string of three promotions from Serie D. In their first season back, renamed Parma Calcio 1913, Parma sit in 9th place just 5 points adrift a coveted Champions League qualifying place. And Gervinho has been instrumental in this rise.
Parma granted Gervinho a return back to Italy following a money-making stint in China, and he's certainly re-payed their faith. He has 5 goals in 10 matches which is one-third of Parma's 15 goals this campaign. He's attempted 1.9 dribbles per game, 0.8 key passes per game and 1.8 shots per game. Gervinho is certainly doing his part to keep Parma's main aim of achieving survival in Serie A.
At 31 years of age, he still has a few good years in him. If he manages to stay disciplined it would be no surprise to see him achieve a double-digit scoring campaign this season. The footballing world had dubbed him as a flop owing to his time with Arsenal that never lived up to the hype and his underwhelming stint at Roma. It's nice to see Gervinho have the last laugh.
Rodri (Atletico Madrid), $18 million
Costing just $18 million, midfielder Rodri was an astute signing for Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid this summer. In today's hyper-inflated market which saw Arsenal spend $26.5 million on Uruguayan Lucas Torriera, Bournemouth spend $25 million on Colombian Jefferson Lerma and Manchester United pay an astronomical $43.7 million on Fred), $18 million on a talented 22-year old midfielder with loads of La Liga experience seems pretty cheap.
Since his move to Estadio Wanda Metropolitano Rodri has filled the void left by club legend Gabi. who moved to Qatar for Al Sadd SC. In 11 appearances so far, Rodri has 3.2 tackles, 1.1 interceptions, 2 clearances and 0.6 key passes per game with an immense 91.9% pass accuracy rate. Having already scored a goal for his new club in their 3-2 win against Athletic Club de Bilbao, Rodri has hit the ground running in no time. His move to Atletico Madrid has only strengthened his case for a permanent Spain call-up.
At 22 years of age, the 6'4-tall central midfielder has his entire career ahead of him. His tenacity and intense work-rate have seen him become a fan favorite and a key member in Diego Simeone's side. At $18 million he's certainly one of this season's bargains.
Who did I forget!? Who's made their club's look like transfer market geniuses? Let me know in the comments below! Thank you for reading!!!
