The Forward Transfer Market: Who Really Won?
The summer transfer window was marked by the intense search for forwards by several clubs. Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United made significant moves, but the key question is: did they really improve their squads with these incorporations? We thoroughly analyze the most outstanding transfers and their impact on each team. Chelsea was one of the first to move, securing Liam Delap and João Pedro. Arsenal responded with the arrival of Viktor Gyökeres, while Liverpool incorporated Hugo Ekitike. The situation became complicated when Liverpool tried to sign Alexander Isak, who subsequently expressed his desire not to play for Newcastle anymore. This move triggered a series of chain reactions. Newcastle, who were looking for a replacement for Isak, were frustrated in their attempts to sign Benjamin Sesko, as Manchester United moved ahead in the negotiation. The situation of Darwin Núñez, wanted by Napoli, also generated controversy, as he finally joined Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. In short, Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund provided Liverpool with 53 million euros to sign a player who will eventually play for Al Hilal, while Liverpool tries to replace him with another player who plays for another team owned by the same fund, Newcastle. The uncertainty in the transfer market is evident. The possible arrival of Isak at Liverpool is still viable, especially considering that Chelsea signed two players that Newcastle tried to recruit, which could open the door for Nicolas Jackson to leave Chelsea and possibly join Newcastle. However, the situation is complicated by the addition of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha to Manchester United, which could affect the plans of other teams. Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen, after a standout season, joined Galatasaray for 75 million euros. The striker market has been a puzzle of interconnected transfers. But, did these moves really strengthen the teams?Detailed Analysis by Clubs
Chelsea
Chelsea brought in Pedro, Delap, and Jackson. While Pedro has had a good start, with four goals in his first five games, Jackson’s production could be more valuable. Delap, for his part, is a long-term project. The performance of Estêvão, the new 18-year-old Brazilian winger, has been promising, generating 1.5 expected goals and assists.Arsenal
Gyökeres has shown good performance, but has also shown certain weaknesses in the game. Arteta’s team was already solid, so it is difficult to find players who really improve the squad. Gyökeres’ performance will be crucial in determining the success of his signing.Olley: Arteta has no excuses after Arsenal’s summer signings
