The 5 star signings of this summer

1 - Erling Haaland - Manchester City.

Only Mbappé's move to Real Madrid could overshadow this as the signing of the year, but since that did not happen, the transaction between Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund for Erling Haaland has become the most talked-about move in the 2022 summer transfer market. The derisory £60 million release clause in the Norwegian striker's contract has allowed the Sky Blues to raise Haaland's salary to a level that few clubs could compete with. We will see if this investment has been worthwhile and if the English club can finally lift its first and long-awaited Champions League trophy.

 

2 - Sadio Mané - Bayern Múnich

After six years together, Sadio Mané and Liverpool are parting ways. The Senegalese striker will continue to wear red, but he will do so in the new Bayern Munich jersey after the Bavarians secured his services for around £30 million. This is a signing that is expected to yield great results, given the difference in level between the Bundesliga and the Premier League, where Mané has been making a difference for years.

3 - Darwin Núñez - Liverpool.

And with one king gone, another takes his place. Following the sale of Sadio Mané, Liverpool needed another star player for their attack, someone who could make a difference, and they have placed their bets on Darwin Núñez. The Uruguayan arrives in England as the most expensive signing in the club's history, surpassing Virgil Van Dijk. Liverpool will have to pay Benfica close to €100 million for the striker's services, undoubtedly a big gamble that only time will tell whether it was worth it or not. 

4 - Romelu Lukaku - Inter de Milán.

Romelu Lukaku returns home. A few months ago, the Belgian striker was embroiled in a controversy that resulted in a hefty fine from his club. The conflict boiled down to statements in which Lukaku expressed his desire to return to Inter, apologising to the tifosi for the way he left the club, something that, logically, did not go down well in London and triggered a campaign against the striker by the Blue fans. Now Lukaku has seen his wish to wear the Inter Milan jersey again come true, hoping that those apologies made months ago will have resonated with the Italian fans.

5 - Antonio Rüdiger - Real Madrid.

It is always positive for a club to secure the services of a footballer at no cost. If, in addition, that footballer is one of the most sought-after centre-backs in Europe, the operation rises to the category of success, celebrating a triumph in the boardroom over several of your competitors on the pitch. That is what Real Madrid has acquired with the signing of Antonio Rüdiger, a centre-back sought after by Europe's big clubs thanks to his performances in recent seasons and, above all, his status as a free agent after ending his contract with Chelsea. With this move, the club strengthens its defence in search of continued sporting success, something that the team from the Spanish capital has proven to have in its DNA.

These have been the most significant signings of the 2022 summer transfer window. Moves to suit all tastes that will have to prove themselves capable of living up to the high expectations that have been generated around them.