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The summer transfer window is finally over, and clubs will now have to work with the personnel they have at least until January.
Some crazy moves have occurred during this window. Two global superstars in the form of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have both changed clubs. Young superstars like Jadon Sancho and Achraf Hakimi have also switched clubs, while Jack Grealish and Romelu Lukaku have been sold for big-money as well.
While many teams across Europe have made major personnel changes, not all have addressed their most important needs. Alternately, some clubs have also brought in players who leave you scratching your head a little just to fill a vacant position.
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Here, we look at the five clubs that had the worst transfer window this summer (2021).
#5 Manchester City
Manchester City did spend nearly £106 million to sign Jack Grealish, one of the best players in the Premier League last season, from Aston Villa.
While Grealish is an extremely good player, Manchester City have failed to address the most problematic area of their squad. The departure of legendary striker Sergio Aguero this summer meant Manchester City entered the transfer window in need of a prolific striker. The window is now shut and Pep Guardiola's side have failed to sign a no.9.
Harry Kane was their primary transfer target and City were desperate to sign the Tottenham Hotspur striker. However, Spurs played hardball, and Kane announced his decision to stay. Cristiano Ronaldo was also pursued, but the Portuguese superstar decided to re-join Manchester United instead.
Chelsea will likely be Manchester City's title contenders this season, and have signed one of the best strikers in the world in the form of Romelu Lukaku. Keeping that in mind, Manchester City's inability to sign a goalscorer could end up costing them the league title.
#4 Real Madrid
Real Madrid continue to clear room for the arrival of Kylian Mbappe. In fact, it was quite surprising to see Mbappe not be announced as a Real Madrid player on deadline day.
Los Blancos have let go of Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos and Martin Odegaard this summer. Their pursuit of Mbappe is well-known, and for a certain period of time during the transfer window, the deal looked likely to happen. Real Madrid offered multiple massive bids for the Frenchman, with their last one reported to be worth €200 million. However, PSG did not budge and the Spanish giants now look set to sign Mbappe on a free transfer next summer instead.
The La Liga giants have signed versatile Austrian defender David Alaba and teenage sensation Eduardo Camavinga this summer. Camavinga was another long-term target and acquiring one of the best young players in world football at the moment has been well received by fans.
However, Real Madrid's dream signing is still Mbappe. Fans, as well as the Real Madrid management, are eagerly awaiting the French superstar's potential arrival. This summer will have to be chalked off as a disappointing one though, with Los Blancos now light in several areas.
#3 Inter Milan
Not long ago, Inter Milan were celebrating their league title victory under Antonio Conte's management.
Now, Conte is gone. Superstars Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi have both been sold, and the Nerazzurri have begun the new season with Simone Inzaghi as their manager.
Inter Milan have signed Edin Dzeko and Joaquin Correa to replace Lukaku's output, while Dutch right-back Denzel Dumfries has been signed as Hakimi's replacement. However, Hakimi and Lukaku are two of the best players in their position right now, and the new signings will have a tough job replacing the fan favorites.
Inzaghi's job is not easy, either. The Italian has joined after a successful stint with Lazio, but Inter Milan fans will be keen to replicate last season's success. With Juventus having reappointed Massimiliano Allegri as boss, the Nerazzurri will have to be at their very best in order to enjoy a good season.
#2 Arsenal
Arsenal have spent nearly £150 million this summer, the highest by any club across Europe. But one is left wondering how wisely they have spent that money.
Centre-back Ben White has joined the club from Brighton & Hove Albion for nearly £53 million. White is a good centre-back with the potential to be a starter for the England national team. But spending in excess of £50 million for a 23-year old defender when there are other areas of the squad that need to be improved is questionable strategy.
Similarly, the Gunners have signed goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United for £25 million. Ramsdale did not enjoy the best of seasons last time around in the Premier League and will compete with Bernd Leno for the no.1 spot. Spending £25 million on a goalkeeper who has been relegated twice in successive seasons and is initially going to be second-choice also makes little sense.
There are some positives, however, with Martin Odegaard bound to improve Arsenal's lack of creativity in midfield. Takehiro Tomiyasu, Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga are all talented young players who could prosper in the future. However, Arsenal's disjointed transfer policy was once again on display during this transfer window.
#1 Barcelona
Barcelona let go of arguably the greatest player to have played the game on a free transfer. This was the result of poor decisions made over a long period of time. Lionel Messi's departure was shocking, but Barcelona can only blame themselves for the mess they are in right now.
Antoine Griezmann has also returned to Atletico Madrid. The same Griezmann, for whom Barcelona paid £108 million in 2019, has now gone back to the Wanda Metropolitano after winning a solitary Copa del Rey with Barcelona.
Memphis Depay is a good player and Barcelona did well to sign him on a free transfer. But that seems to be just about the only immediate positive at the moment for the Blaugrana. It looks unlikely that Sergio Aguero will make an appearance for Barcelona anytime soon. Luuk de Jong's deadline day arrival on loan is further proof of how mangled Barcelona's transfer policy is. Martin Braithwaite and Luuk de Jong are now Barcelona's no.9 options.
The additions of Eric Garcia and Yusuf Demir seem smart, but the jury is still out on both youngsters. Barcelona also re-signed Emerson Royal from Real Betis, only to let him leave for Tottenham Hotspur on deadline day. All of this goes to prove that the Catalans have endured quite a disastrous summer in the transfer market.
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