How are Arsenal the biggest spenders of the 2021 summer transfer window (so far)? Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two GOAT contenders, both moved to pastures new. PSG, which signed Messi, also signed a modern great in Sergio Ramos, and brought in Gianluigi Donnarumma, arguably the best goalkeeper in the world. Manchester United, which "brought Ronaldo home", completed the transfers of Jadon Sancho, tipped to be among the world's best wingers this decade, and Raphael Varane, already among the world's best defenders. Manchester City spent over a €100 million on Jack Grealish. Chelsea did the same on Romelu Lukaku, making him the most expensive player in history (cumulative transfer fees). Yet, Arsenal are the biggest spenders (close to €150 million on five players)!
However, all is not lost. Real Madrid are heavily linked to PSG's Kylian Mbappe. The Spanish giants reportedly bid around €160 million for the French superstar, only for PSG to reject the offer. Real are reportedly preparing a better offer for Mbappe, who has only one year left on his contract. This is, of course, why Real think they can get him for the miserly sum of €160-180 million. But, PSG are in no hurry to sell, with under four days remaining to find a replacement. For the sake of logic, we can hope that the deal goes through and Real outspends Arsenal. Otherwise, how are we to explain to future generations why Arsenal were the biggest spenders in 2021? The two Manchester clubs can also overtake Arsenal with just one more signing.
Whether the Mbappe deal happens or not, this has already been a historic transfer window. So, as we approach the deadline, here is the best, worst and more from the summer of 2021.
Best transfers
Signing Messi without a transfer fee has to feature, despite his wage. Similarly, the Ronaldo deal (around €20 million) is a no-brainer. Ramos and Donnarumma as free agents are sweet deals for PSG. Varane's signing for under €40 million is a bargain for Manchester United. Arsenal got a good deal for Martin Odegaard (€35 million) from Real Madrid.
And, while the recent deals have dominated the headlines, the clubs which completed their business earlier should not be forgotten. Bayern Munich signed French centre-back Dayot Upamecano, 22, for around €42 million. In the current market, a defender of Upamecano's quality and potential is easily worth over €60 million. He was a replacement for David Alaba, who joined Real Madrid as a free agent.
Even amid all these great deals, perhaps the most remarkable one was the transfer of Portuguese striker Andre Silva to RB Leipzig for just €23 million. The 25-year-old was in sensational form for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga last season and his market value was estimated to be around €45 million.
Worst transfers
All right, it is harsh to call them the worst. But, there is no doubt that Manchester City overpaid for the talented Grealish. His market value would be no more than €70 million. This deal is especially surprising since City did not lack depth in his role.
Chelsea's outlay on Lukaku is more justified, considering that he is among the best strikers in the world. It can be argued that around €100 million is a fair price for Lukaku in this market. However, Chelsea sold him to Everton for around €30 million. So, for a player who was already on the club's books as a teenager, Chelsea not giving him enough time to develop has proved to be an expensive mistake.
Big-spending Arsenal may have made the biggest blunder of all. Signing 23-year-old English centre-back Ben White for close to €60 million. White, a talented ball-playing centre-back could yet prove his doubters wrong, in a couple of years. But, he is not likely to be able to help shore up Arsenal's defence this season. It seems like the move came too early for him.
Another surprising deal Arsenal made was the signing of 23-year-old goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale for close to €30 million. But, he has his own subheading.
Strangest transfer
Ramsdale is a decent shot-stopper. He has potential and could establish himself as Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper in the years to come. But, the strangest thing about this deal is that the error-prone Bernd Leno, the club's current first-choice (so to speak) is still very much part of the plans. If the intention was to replace Leno, surely Arsenal should have sold him or got him a loan move to reduce the wage bill. Instead, now there is competition for the one position on the football pitch where you would not want competition.
Premier League power
The top five spenders are all English clubs. Arsenal, City, United (excluding the Ronaldo deal, which has not been finalised as of August 28), Chelsea, Aston Villa (who sold Grealish) have already spent over €100 million. This could still increase. The top non-English club is Roma, who spent almost €98 million to back new manager Jose Mourinho.
But the English dominance continues as you move down the list. Leicester City are ninth, just behind PSG. And, quite remarkably, Norwich City, who are favourites to get relegated are 12th, just two places off Spanish champions Atletico Madrid. In total, among the top 25 spenders, there are 11 English clubs. Germany is second with five clubs. Spain has only Atletico and Villareal in the top 25.