With the summer transfer window officially shut, theScore ranks the 25 best moves made across the game’s top leagues. For more on all the marquee deals struck by Saudi Arabian clubs – excluded from this list – tap here.
25. Mateo Kovacic ➡️ Manchester City
Signed from Chelsea for reported £25M fee
This is far from the flashiest signing of the summer, but it could end up being one of the most impactful by season’s end. Croatian stalwart Kovacic, perennially underrated during his career, is a much different midfielder than the one he’s replacing in Ilkay Gundogan, but his incisive dribbling will come to the fore playing under Pep Guardiola. His ball progression through midfield will create plenty of chances for his prolific teammates, too.
24. Folarin Balogun ➡️ AS Monaco
Signed from Arsenal for reported €40M fee
In a refreshing role reversal, a Ligue 1 club nabbed an exciting young player away from one of the Premier League’s top