Ten Champions League deals that caught our eye
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Article summary
UEFA.com picks out ten of the most attention-grabbing transfers involving UEFA Champions League sides – can you do any better? Tell us your thoughts using #UCL.
Article top media content
Article body
How to distill a two-month long, round-the-clock transfer window into one piece? The UEFA.com office gathered round and picked out ten of the most eye-catching summer acquisitions by teams playing in the UEFA Champions League group stage.
There is no great science to our choices, so we invite disagreement – let us know your thoughts @ChampionsLeague using #UCL.
Paco Alcácer, Valencia to Barcelona
Twenty-four goals in 66 Liga appearances over the last two seasons were one compelling reason behind Barcelona's capture of the Valencia forward, who is still only 23.
Hatem Ben Arfa, Nice to Paris Saint-Germain
A mercurial talent, attacking midfielder Ben Arfa delivered his best in 2015/16 with 17 goals in 34 Ligue 1 outings for Nice to earn another shot at the big time with Paris.
Claudio Bravo, Barcelona to Manchester City
The Copa América-winning Chile keeper arrives as Josep Guardiola's apparent new City No1 having enhanced his reputation over two seasons with Pep's old club Barcelona.
Kevin Gameiro, Sevilla to Atlético
Despite no invite to France's EURO party, the striker had a fine time with a career-high 29 Sevilla goals in 2015/16; he comes to Madrid as a triple UEFA Europa League winner.
Mario Götze, Bayern to Dortmund
Germany's most expensive player when he left Dortmund for Bayern in 2013, attacking midfielder Götze is back where it all began and eager to reaffirm his BVB credentials.
Gonzalo Higuain, Napoli to Juventus
It took a €90m transfer fee to lure the Argentina forward from Napoli – where last term he broke a 66-year Serie A record with 36 goals in 35 games – but Juve had no hesitation.
Álvaro Morata, Juventus to Real Madrid
Another second coming: title-winning form with Juve over the past two campaigns convinced Madrid to invest an estimated €30m to bring Morata back to the Bernabéu.
Shkodran Mustafi, Valencia to Arsenal
Former Everton reserve Mustafi returns to England, via Italy and Spain, after Arsenal splashed out significantly on the versatile Valencia and Germany defender.
Renato Sanches, Benfica to Bayern
Bayern wrapped up a deal for the Benfica teenager before the 19-year-old midfielder underlined his potential with a big role in Portugal's EURO triumph.
John Stones, Everton to Manchester City
Everton and England's much-touted ball-playing centre-back joined the Guardiola revolution in exchange for a hefty fee; at 22, he could really blossom under his new boss.