It’s the time of the year when contracts expire and the transfer frenzy begins, so here’s what’s been happening around Europe and what the big clubs in the smaller leagues around the continent need to do before the window closes.
France
Lille
Signings: Benoit Pedretti (AJ Auxerre – Undisclosed), Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv – Undisclosed), Ronny Rodelin (Nantes – Undisclosed), Marko Basa (Lokomotiv Moscow – Undisclosed), Dimitri Payet (Saint Etienne - €9m), David Rozehnal (Hamburg SV - €500k), Thomas Regnier (Mulhouse - Free)
Departures: Adil Rami (Valencia – Loan Return), Jerry Vandam (Chateauroux – Lille), Nicolas Fauvergue (Sedan – Undisclosed), Ludovic Butelle (Arles-Avignon – Free), Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle - Undisclosed)
Rudi Garcia is preparing for Uefa Champions League football by buying several top players including Dimitry Payet. However, Adil Rami moves back to Valencia and Gervinho is keen on a move to Arsenal, hinting there could be an exodus.
Olympique Marseille
Signings: Morgan Amalfitano (Lorient – Free), Jeremy Morel (Lorient - €2.5m), Nicolas N’Koulou (Monaco - €3.5m), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux - Undisclosed)
Departures: Taye Taiwo (AC Milan – Free), Senah Mango (Monaco – Loan)
Didier Deschamps has lost dependable full-back Taye Taiwo to Milan, but he’s made some good additions in Alou Diarra for an undisclosed fee from Bordeaux. Juventus’ Mohamed Sissoko could be a target too, while they’ve added more quality in Morgan Amalfitano and Nicolas N’Koulou.
Olympique Lyon
Signings: none
Departures: Jeremy Toulalan (Malaga - €10m)
Claude Puel has been moved on after Lyon missed out on the title again, while Remi Garde taking over the helm. Jeremy Toulalan left for Malaga but the money earned from the deal represents decent business. However, hanging onto Aly Cissokho, Ederson and Miralem Pjanic could be tough.
PSG
Signings: Nicolas Douchez (Stade Rennes – Free), Kevin Gameiro (Lorient - €11m)
Departures: Florian Makhedjouf (Sedan – Free), Kévin Rimane (Boulogne – Free), Younousse Sankharé (Dijon - €1m)
The Parisians are Europe’s new big-spending powerclub due to their Qatari owners who have had the team linked with a host of stars. However, Kevin Gameiro is the only big addition, but he is quite a good one. QPR’s Adel Taarabt, Toulouse’s Etienne Capoue and Juventus’ Mohammed Sissoko are reported targets.
Bordeaux
Signings: Nicolas Maurice-Belay (Sochaux – Free), Landry N’Guemo (Nancy - Free)
Departures: Matthieu Saunier (Troyes – Undisclosed), Ulrich Rame (Sedan – Free), Paul Lasne (Ajaccio – Free), Pierre Ducasse (Lens – Free), Alou Diarra (Marseille – Undisclosed), Fernando Menegazzo (Al Shabab Riyadh)
Francis Gillot’s side have dropped down the pecking order in France and the loss of Alou Diarra is Marseille reiterates that point. Girondins have added Cameroon international Landry N’Guemo in their only major acquisition.
Netherlands
Ajax Amsterdam
Signings: Thulani Serero (Ajax Cape Town – Undisclosed), Theo Janssen (FC Twente - €3m), Mats Rits (Germinal Beerschot – Free), Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (AZ Alkmaar - €5m)
Departures: Marvin Zeegelaar (Espanyol – Free), Mitchell Donald (Roda JC – Free), Ronald Graafland (Capelle – Free), Rob Wielaert (Roda JC – Free), Roly Bonevacia (NAC Breda – Loan), Marco Bizot (Cambuur – Loan), Florian Jozefzoon (NAC Breda – Loan), Rasmus Lindgren (Red Bull Salzburg – Free), Hyun-Jun Suk (FC Groningen – Free), Sergio Padt (AA Gent – Loan)
Frank de Boer has made two shrewd signings in proven Eredivisie stars Theo Janssen and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson from rival clubs. They have moved on some young talent but there’s plenty going on loan. Demy de Zeeuw’s future remains undecided, while Jan Vertonghen insists he’s staying.
FC Twente
Signings: Willem Janssen (Roda JC – Free), Tim Cornelisse (FC Utrecht - Free)
Departures: Patrick Gerritsen (Go Ahead Eagles – Free), Theo Janssen (Ajax Amsterdam - €3m), Wilko de Vogt (VVV Venlo – Free), Vagif Javadov (Volga Nizgorod – Free)
Is it the end of an era for Twente. Michel Preud’homme has moved to Saudi Arabia, replaced by Co Adriaanse, while Theo Janssen has left as well. Plenty of challenges lay ahead for Twente who look be losing ground.
PSV Eindhoven
Signings: Khalid Sinouh (FC Utrecht – Free), Dries Mertens (FC Utrecht - €8.5m), Kevin Strootman (FC Utrecht - €4.5m), Georginio Wijnaldum (Feyenoord - €5m)
Departures: Marcus Berg (Hamburg SV – Loan Return), Jan Kronkamp (Go Ahead Eagles – Free), Stef Nijland (NEC Nijmegen – Loan), Balazs Dzsudzsak (Anzhi - €14m), Jagos Vukovic (Roda JC – Loan), Jeroen Zoet (RKC Waalwijk – Loan), Danny Koevermans (Toronto FC – Free)
Fred Rutten has not messed about in his efforts to get PSV back to the top of the Dutch game by allowing well-regarded players such as Marcus Berg, Stef Nijland and Jan Kronkamp to move on. The sale of Balazs Dzsudzsak has opened up some money in the coffers and Rutten has refreshed his squad with good signings in Dries Mertens and Kevin Strootman along with young Feyenoord star Georginio Wijnaldum.
Feyenoord
Signings: Guyon Fernandez (Excelsior – Free), Miquel Nelom (Excelsior - Free)
Departures: Luc Castaignos (Inter Milan – €3,5m), Kevin Hofland (AEK Larnaca – Free), Tim de Cler (AEK Larnaca – Free), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven - €5m), Andre Bahia (Samsunspor – Undisclosed), Ryo Miyaichi (Arsenal – Loan Return)
After an underwhelming season for Mario Been, there’s little to get excited about in Rotterdam. Japanese revelation Ryo Miyaichi may not return after his loan stint from Arsenal, while Georginio Wijnaldum and Luc Castaignos have been sold.
Portugal
FC Porto
Signings: Miguel Lopes (Real Betis – Loan Return), Andre Castro (Sporting Gijon – Loan Return), Juan Manuel Iturbe (Cerro Porteno – Undisclosed), Kelvin (Parana – Undisclosed), Rafael Bracalli (Nacional - Free)
Departures: Josué (Pacos Ferreira – Free), Jorge Chula (Uniao Leiria – Free), Abdoulaye Ba (Academica – Loan)
Andre Villas Boas has left for Chelsea to be replaced by Vitor Pereira, but it’s business as usual for Porto who have added Argentinean Juan Manuel Iturbe. Porto have been firm they won’t star players to Chelsea either, despite ridiculous offers linked with Hulk and Radamel Falcao.
Benfica
Signings: Fabio Faria (Valladolid – Loan Return), Rodrigo Mora (Defensor – Free), Nemanja Matic (Chelsea – Free), Bruno Cesar (Corinthians - €5m), Artur Moraes (Sporting Braga – Free), Daniel Wass (Brondby – Undisclosed), Nuno Coelho (Academica – Undisclosed), Nolito (FC Barcelona - Free)
Departures: Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid - €30m), Eduardo Salvio (Atletico Madrid – Loan Return), Sidnei (Besiktas – Loan), Airton (Flamengo – Loan), Felipe Menezes (Botafogo – Loan), Nuno Gomes (Sporting Braga – Free)
The Portuguese runners-up have agreed to the sale of prized asset Fabio Coentrao which will free up a lot of cash to build their squad for a tilt at the title. Brazilian midfielder Bruno Cesar is a notable arrival, while Nuno Gomes has moved onto Braga on a free transfer.
Sporting Lisbon
Signings: Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar – Undisclosed), Andre Carrillo (Alianza Lima - €1.5m), Alberto Rodríguez (Sporting Braga – Free), Ricky van Wolfswinkel (FC Utrecht - €5.4m), Santiago Arias (La Equidad – Free), Atila Turan (Grenoble – Undisclosed), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan – Undisclosed), Marcelo Boeck (Maritimo – Undisclosed), Fabian Rinaudo (Gimnasia La Plata, €525k), Luis Aguiar (Dinamo Moscow – Free), Diego Rubio (Colo Colo - €1m)
Departures: Diogo Salomão (Deportivo Coruna – Loan), Florent Sinama-Pongolle (Saint Etienne – Loan), Vladimir Stojkovic (Partizan Belgrade – Undisclosed), Marco Torsiglieri (Parma – Loan), Nuno André Coelho (Sporting Braga – Undisclosed), Cédric Soares (Academica – Loan), Mexer (Olhanense – Loan), Ricardo Batista (Olhanense – Loan), Diogo Salomão (Deportivo Coruna – Loan), Bruno Pereirinha (Olhanense – Loan), Andre Marques (Beira Mar – Loan)
Sporting were also-rans last season, so changes were needed this term and they’ve come in big numbers. Boss Domingos Pacienca has brought in Dutch pair Stijn Schaars and Ricky van Wolfswinckel along with US defender Oguchi Onyewu.
Sporting Braga
Signings: Nuno Gomes (Benfica – Free), Emmanuel Imorou (Chateauroux – Undisclosed), Rodrigo Galo (Gil Vicente - €200k), Ze Luis (Gil Vicente – Undisclosed), Douglas (Vitoria Guimaraes – Free), Djamal (Beira Mar – Free), Nuno André Coelho (Sporting Lisbon – Undisclosed), Nuno Henrique (Feirense - €125k), Enzo Perez (Estudiantes - € 2.4m), Baiano (Sporting Braga - €400k), Tommaso Berni (Lazio – Free), Ewerton (Corinthians - Free)
Departures: Silvio Pereira (Atletico Madrid - €8m), Artur Moraes (Benfica – Free), Alberto Rodríguez (Sporting Lisbon – Free), Mário Felgueiras (FC Brasov – Loan), Miguel Garcia (Orduspor – Free), Ladji Keita (Beijing Guoan – Loan), Stelvio (Dynamo Dresden – Loan), Diogo Valente (Academica – Free)
The Europa League runners-up have made wholesale changes as per usual this summer, including the big arrival of former Portugal star Nuno Gomes on a free from Braga. Silvio Pereira has moved onto Atletico Madrid in a big-money switch.
Greece
Olympiacos
Signings: Ivan Marcano (Villarreal – Loan), Rafik Djebbour (AEK Athens), Ljubomir Fejsa (Partizan Belgrade), Franco Costanzo (FC Basel)
Departures: Raul Bravo (released), Urko Pardo (released), Jaouad Zairi (released)
Ernesto Valverde’s Greek champions have let a few players move on, while adding some fresh players in Spanish defender Ivan Marcano, Algerian striker Rafik Djebbour and Swiss keeper Franco Costanzo. Will be hard to stop again in Greece.
Panathinaikos
Signings: none
Departures: Andreas Ivanschitz (FSV Mainz - €200k Permanent), Gilberto Silva (released), Sidney Govou (released), Jean-Alain Boumsong (VfL Wolfsburg), Luis Garcia Sanz (Puebla), Mario Galinovic (released), Vangelis Mantzios (released), Gabriel (Gremio), Marcelo Mattos (Botafogo)
Panathinaikos have seen a long list of big names move on this summer after their second-place finish last term. Jesualdo Ferreira is stamping his influence on the squad by moving on Sidney Govou and Gilberto Silva among others, but holding onto Djibril Cisse may be a challenge. We’ll wait and see who he signs too.
AEK Athens
Signings: Giannis Kondoes (Panionios), Jose Carlos (Sevilla), Cala (Sevilla – Loan), Steve Leo Beleck (Udinese – Loan), Mavroudis Bougaidis (Aris), Sokratis Tsoukalas (Palermo), Dimitris Sialmas (Giannina)
Departures: David Mateos (Real Madrid – Loan Return), Ignacio Scocco (Al Ain), Sebastian Saja (Racing Club), Ismael Blanco (released), Cristian Nasuti (River Plate), Rafik Djebbour (Olympiacos), Milan Lukac (released), Dino Drpic (released), Nabil Baha (released), Claudio Dadomo (released), Roger Guerrero (released), Sanel Jahic (APOEL), Miguel Marcos Madera (Birmingham City), Eder Luiz (Flamengo), Michalis Tsamourlidis (released), Dimitris Koutromanos (Panetolikos)
Manolo Jimenez’s AEK remain some way off the top two in Greece after some troubled years. There doesn’t appear to be change around the corner either.
Turkey
Fenerbahce
Signings: Emmanuel Emenike (Karabukspor - €9m), Serdar Kesimal (Kayserispor - €4.5m), Orhan Sam (Genclerbirligi - €3.5m), Sezer Ozturk (Eskisehirspor - €2.75m)
Departures: Gokhan Unal (Kayserispor), Abdülkadir Kayalı (Eskisehirspor), Ilhan Eker (Kayserispor – Free)
Aykut Kocaman’s Turkish champions have added to their squad with Nigerian striker Emmanuel Emenike’s signing however he could be in some trouble with match-fixing allegations. Money has also been spent on German-Turkish defender Serdar Kesimal who is a nice buy, while Gokhan Unal has been allowed to move on.
Trabzonspor
Signings: Adrian Mierzejewski (Polonia Warsaw - €5.25m), Didier Zokora (Sevilla - €5m), Paulo Henrique (Desportivo Brazil - €4m), Aykut Aygun (Karsiyaka - €600k), Sercan Caya (Bucaspor - €250k), Eren Albayrak (Bursaspor – Free), Barış Özbek (Galatasaray - Free)
Departures: Umut Bulut (Toulouse - €4m), Ibrahim Yattara (Al Shabab Riyadh – Free), Egemen Korkmaz (Besiktas – Free), Selçuk İnan (Galatasaray – Free), Ceyhun Gülselam (Galatasaray – Free)
Senol Gunes’ side fell agonisingly short of the title last term, so bolstering their squad was always going to be on the cards this summer. He’s made a number of buys, headlined by the acquisition of Ivory Coast midfielder Didier Zokora and Polish wizard Adrian Mierzejewski. Striker Umut Bulut has left for France in a blow.
Besiktas
Signings: Michael Fink (Borussia Moenchengladbach – Loan Return), Sidnei (Benfica – Loan), Ersan Gulum (Adanaspor - €4m Permanent), Mustafa Pektemek (Genclerbirligi - €4m), Tanju Kayhan (Rapid Vienna - €1.05m), Bebe (Manchester United – Loan), Veli Kavlak (Rapid Vienna - €750k), Burak Kaplan (Bayer Leverkusen - €650k), Mehmet Akyuz (TKİ Tavşanlı Linyitspor - €400k), Egemen Korkmaz (Trabzonspor – Free), Manuel Fernandes (Valencia - Permanent)
Departures: Ali Kucik (Genclerbirligi), Erhan Guven (Mersin Idmanyurdu – Free)
The Black Eagles have some catching up to do this season, and they’ve ensured Manuel Fernandes is sticking around, while the loan deal for Bebe is a curious one after a disappointing first term in England. They’ve also spent big on Turkish striker Mustafa Pektemek.
Galatasaray
Signings: Tomas Ujfalusi (Atletico Madrid - €2m), Johan Elmander (Bolton – Free), Selçuk İnan (Trabzonspor – Free), Ceyhun Gülselam (Trabzonspor - Free)
Departures: Cem Sultan (Kayserispor), Barış Özbek (Trabzonspor – Free), Harry Kewell (released), Lucas Neill (released), Robinson Zapata (released), Emiliano Insua (Liverpool – Loan Return), Lorik Cana (Lazio)
The 2010-11 campaign was a disaster for Galatasaray who have handed Fatih Terim the responsibility of getting them back on track. Veteran Australian pair Harry Kewell and Lucas Neill have been moved on along with goalkeeper Robinson Zapata, while Tomas Ujfalusi and Johan Elmander have joined, with Jose Antonio Reyes rumoured to be close too.
