The summer transfer window has slammed shut, and managers up and down the country will now have to make do with their current squad until it reopens in January. It’ll come as no surprise that a few members of the ‘Big Six’ have been some of the top spenders in European football, as they try to gain some leverage in the English Premier League betting markets, with 100s of millions spent on new recruits.
So, as the 2021-22 season begins to take shape, read on as recap the Big Six’s most expensive transfers this summer…
Manchester City: Jack Grealish – £100m
For a while, it looked like Jack Grealish’s status as the most expensive English player ever was going to be short-lived, as Manchester City tried their utmost to lure Harry Kane to the Etihad from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in a deal that could have cost around £150m. However, that move is off, and Grealish retains his crown — for now. The 25-year-old has settled quickly in Manchester, scoring on his home debut in a 5-0 thrashing of Norwich City, and the City fans will be hoping he gets on the scoresheet a few more times before the season is out.
Manchester United: Jadon Sancho – £76m
Manchester United haven’t been afraid to splash the cash on players in recent years, with this year’s largest addition, Jadon Sancho, joining Paul Pogba (£94m), Romelu Lukaku (£76m) and Harry Maguire (£78m) with rather hefty price tags. The winger played a bit-part role for England as they reached the final of the European Championships for the first time, and he is yet to make his full debut for the Red Devils. Once he’s settled in at Old Trafford and at full fitness, we’re sure he’ll be an exciting player to watch.
Liverpool: Ibrahima Konaté – £36m
Unlike their old foes United, Liverpool have spent rather scarcely over the course of the last few windows, and their biggest deal of this summer stands at a rather tame £36m for centre-back Ibrahima Konaté. With the defensive injuries pilling up last year, the Reds were quick to snap up the 22-year-old from RB Leipzig, securing his signature before the 2020-21 season was even concluded. Likely to play back-up behind the likes of Joe Gomez, Joël Matip and Virgil Van Dijk, we might not get to see a lot of the youngster this season.
Chelsea: Romelu Lukaku – £97.5m
Chelsea’s main concern was on the goalscoring front last season, with a lack of goals from their attacking options giving Thomas Tuchel something to think about. And, after forking out £300m last summer, including the £150m spent on Kai Havertz and Timo Werner, Roman Abramovich loosened his purse strings to bring Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge. The Belgian rejuvenated his career at Inter Milan, and after scoring 15 minutes into his second debut against Arsenal at the Emirates, he’ll certainly make the Blues more favourable in the latest Premier League betting tips.
Tottenham Hotspur: Christian Romero – £42m
Another member of the Big Six not willing to just splash the cash, Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is notoriously tight fisted. But, with Juan Foyth and Toby Alderweireld both departing the north London side this summer, cover was needed in the centre-back department, and Christian Romero was brought in for £42m. The 23-year-old defender won the Copa América with Argentina this summer, and is an exciting prospect that those at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium can’t wait to see in action.
Arsenal: Ben White – £50m
With Arsenal falling further and further down the table, the club’s chiefs had no choice but to spend a fortune this summer, in a bid to get the Gunners back to where they should be. Around £130m was spent, with Ben White racking up the most expensive fee, costing Arsenal around £50m for his services from Brighton & Hove Albion. A positive covid test kept him out of the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea, but he did start Arsenal’s first game of the season, a 2-0 loss away to newbies Brentford.
