Top 20 transfers of summer 2011

cak! · Post time 3-8-2011 09:53 AM

Post Last Edit by cak! at 3-8-2011 09:57

Goal.com's Top 20 transfers of summer 2011

With a month of the window now gone, we have taken a look at some of the biggest and best moves to have taken place so far and chart the deals that look set for success          Aug 1, 2011 9:00:00 AM

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Each European transfer window, Goal.com decides on the best acquisitions, in order from 1 to 20, and we encourage you to let us know your thoughts.

We judge based on:

The player's overall ability (this being the most important factor)
How the player will fit into his new line-up
How the player will adapt to his new surroundings, and vice-versa
The transfer fee payable, if any, and any other financial details known. (Transfer fees unconfirmed by either club or otherwise unknown are given as approximations and are marked in italics.)

For the reason that players arriving on permanent deals tend to be more adaptable and often more important, there is preference given to full transfers over loans. That is not to say that loans, co-ownerships etc. cannot be included, but players must be extra special to justify a space on such a move.

With all of that explained, here is the first installment of this summer's list - which will be updated every Monday. Expect to see lots of changes from now until the close of the window, with big moves still to happen on the continent.

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1 Alexis SANCHEZ
Read more on Sanchez	From: Udinese To: Barcelona Fee: €37.5mShortly after joining the European champions, the Chile international declared that he hopes to one day be as good as new team-mate Lionel Messi. Sanchez may have some way to go yet, but one thing is for certain, La Liga has itself yet another superstar in this explosive 22-year old.

GROUP A
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2 Nuri SAHIN
Read more on Sahin	From: Borussia Dortmund To: Real Madrid Fee: €10m Having been pivotal in Dortmund's league success last season, the 22-year-old Turkish international is likely to have been briefed with the same goal at the Bernabeu for 2011-12. A potential Barcelona beater and cost only €10m; the capital outfit have secured an unbelievable bargain.

GROUP A
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3 Sergio AGUERO
Read more on Aguero	From: Atletico Madrid To: Manchester City Fee: €38m The former Atletico Madrid man has been earmarked as the replacement for the unsettled Carlos Tevez but 'El Kun' has the ability to far surpass the achievements of his compatriot at Eastlands. Strong, fast and deadly in front of goal, the explosive star looks set to take the Premier League by storm in 2011-12 and beyond.

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4 Manuel NEUER
Read more on Neuer	From: Schalke To: Bayern Munich Fee: €18m Having solidified his position amongst the continent's finest goalkeepers at the Veltins Arena last season, Neuer moves to Bayern Munich in the form of his life. Dissenters may not have welcomed the 25-year-old with open arms but his ability alone could be enough to quieten the boo boys throughout the upcoming campaign.

GROUP A
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5 Arturo VIDAL
Read more on Vidal	From: Bayer Leverkusen To: Juventus Fee: €10.5m The former Colo Colo man arrives in Turin on the back of four superb years in the Bundesliga. Having personified consistency in Germany, the 24-year-old will be looking to prove himself as one of, if not the leading, defensive midfielder in Europe on joining Juventus.

GROUP A
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6 GERVINHO
Read more on Gervinho	From: Lille To: Arsenal Fee: €13.5m There are still improvements required if Arsenal are to challenge for the Premier League title in 2011-12 but the addition of the incisive Ivorian could prove absolutely vital. With only one Gunners player scoring over 10 in the league last term, Gervinho could be the man to make the difference.

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7 Kevin GAMEIRO
Read more on Gameiro	From: FC Lorient To: Paris Saint-Germain Fee: €11mAfter netting 22 times in 36 Ligue 1 matches, there was little surprise when the 24-year-old France international left Les Merlus on June 12. The wealthy capital outfit knew that goals next season would be an issue with a squad that scored the fewest out of the top five last season. However, with the predatory Gameiro now signed, finding the back of the net should no longer be a problem.

GROUP A
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8 Theo JANSSEN
Read more on Janssen	From: Twente To: Ajax Fee: €3.5m With 13 goals from central midfield, Theo Janssen was by far and away the best player in last season's Eredivisie. The 30-year-old has left Twente to join title rivals Ajax in what could prove to be an incredibly decisive signing come the end of the 2011-12 season.

GROUP A
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9 Santi CAZORLA
Read more on Cazorla	From: Villarreal To: Malaga Fee: €21m Arguably the stand-out signing for a Malaga outfit who haven't been shy in displaying their opulence this summer, Cazorla is the man to take the Andalusians to the next level. Creative and deadly accurate with his passing, the ex-Villarreal creator is a fantastic coup, as he teams up once more with former Yellow Submarine, Manuel Pellegrini.

GROUP A
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10 David DE GEA
Read more on De Gea	From: Atletico Madrid To: Manchester United Fee: €19.5mHaving been given the unenviable task of replacing Edwin Van der Sar at Old Trafford, the pressure will be on the Spaniard to deliver almost instantly. However, with a mature head on young shoulders, the former Atletico custodian is likely to surprise his doubters in 2011-12, as a new era begins between the sticks at Old Trafford.

GROUP A
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11 Stephan LICHTSTEINER
Read more on Lichtsteiner	From: Lazio To: Juventus Fee: €10m The wait would appear to be over for Juventus. Having been disappointed by a succession of below-par full-backs over the past few years, the Switzerland international offers the promise of solidity to solve the Turin giants' recent defensive woes. As consistent as they come, this deal looks a real shrewd addition for the Bianconeri.

GROUP A
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12 Jeremy TOULALAN
Read more on Toulalan	From: Lyon To: Malaga Fee: €10m With Paris Saint-Germain aiming to dominate French football in the coming seasons, it would appear that the sun is setting on Lyon's golden era. It is therefore symbolic that the man who marshalled their midfield over 150 times has departed, too. In Toulalan, the Ligue 1 side have lost a vital asset and Malaga have gained a star.

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13 Gokhan INLER
Read more on Inler	From: Udinese To: Napoli Fee: €12mDespite being unveiled as a Napoli player whilst wearing a lion mask, it must be made clear that Inler is no joke. A pivotal cog in the Udinese machine last season, the Swiss star will enter the Champions League with his new side having aided his old outfit in reaching the very same destination in 2010-11.

GROUP A
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14 Andre SCHURRLE
Read more on Schurrle	From: Mainz To: Bayer Leverkusen Fee: €8m If the 2010-11 Bundesliga season was the year for uncovering unknown gems, then few defined the term as well as the tricky Mainz left-winger. With 15 goals and five assists in the league, as well as collecting his first cap for Germany in November, the future looks extremely bright for the 20-year-old.

GROUP A
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15 Justo VILLAR
Read more on Villar	From: Valladolid To: Estudiantes Fee: Free Uruguay's Luis Suarez may have been voted as the Copa America's best player but there can be no question that for many, the tournament's true star was Justo Villar. At 34, the Paraguayan rolled back the years in Argentina, proving to the world that Estudiantes have been fantastically shrewd in securing his signature this summer.

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16 Ashley YOUNG
Read more on Young	From: Aston Villa To: Manchester United Fee: €19m With a handful of impressive pre-season fixtures now under his belt, the England international is already looking the archetypal Manchester United player. Not cheap by any means, the former Watford man is likely to move into the Premier League champions's first-team. The battle to maintain a place ahead of the likes of Nani will be an absorbing one.

GROUP A
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17 Miroslav KLOSE
Read more on Klose	From: Bayern Munich To: Lazio Fee: Free Having spent his entire career in Germany, many would have expected Bayern Munich to be the 33-year-old's final club before retirement. However, it speaks volumes of the man that in the twilight of his career he is still willing to attempt a new challenge. If Lazio can supply him with decent service consistently, it could be a very successful move for the former Kaiserslauten goal-getter.

GROUP A
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18 Ruud VAN NISTELROOY
Read more on Van Nistelrooy	From: Hamburg To: Malaga Fee: Free The 35-year-old striker may well be nearing the end of his career but he is still more than capable of finding the back of the net with unerring consistency. With experience in abundance, the Dutchman is a very smart signing for the Andalusians, who have a secured a striker with a proven track record in La Liga, having been prolific during his spell with Real Madrid.

GROUP A
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19 Cristian ZAPATA
Read more on Zapata	From: Udinese To: Villarreal Fee: €8m Following widespread rumours of a move to Liverpool earlier in the summer, the Colombian surprised many by making his way to the Yellow Submarine instead. Established as one of Serie A's most improved defenders, Zapata will look to continue his own personal development at El Madrigal.

GROUP A
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20 Charlie ADAM
Read more on Adam	From: Blackpool To: Liverpool Fee: €10m The Scottish revelation was always likely to move on to a bigger stage than Blackpool after his fine first season in the Premier League. Now, following his move to join compatriot Kenny Dalglish at Anfield, the 25-year-old has the chance to prove himself at the highest level.

BREAKDOWN

In a list such as the above, there are inevitably notable omissions. The deals for Fabio Coentrao, Phil Jones, Jeremy Menez and Andrea Pirlo were all close to making our selection but missed out narrowly for varying reasons.

Totalling €267m, the top 20 comprises of both remarkable bargains and deals to make the eyes water, with three players moving for no fee and the likes of Aguero and Sanchez edging close to the €40m mark.

Averaging €13.35m per deal, the list represents excellent value when taking into account the quality of individuals that it possesses. That said, with the window entering its final month, don't be surprised to see prices hit their peak in the coming weeks as clubs desperately scramble to improve their respective squads.

With the likes of Inter, Chelsea, AC Milan, Tottenham, Marseille and Roma yet to feature, be sure to check out next week's installment to keep up-to-date with who's going where this summer.

who's NEXT?