Football Features

    Transfer deals you might have missed this week, from Dutch speedster to Rasmus Hojlund’s successor

    By Mohamed Moallim

    Published: 20:00, 30 July 2023

    Not long to go before Europe’s major football leagues get underway.

    However, the summer transfer window remains open, with plenty of business to be done. We’ve already seen numerous high-profile signings and there’s potentially more on the horizon.

    But for now, let’s take a long at some deals which have concluded this week.

    Jordan Henderson

    From: Liverpool

    To: Al-Ettifaq

    A transfer which has understanding elicited strong emotions and feelings. Jordan Henderson’s long-held association with Liverpool, where he lifted the club’s first league title in three decades, has come to an end. He joins Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ettifaq now managed by former Reds team Steven Gerrard whom Henderson succeded in terms of on-field leadership. This move could very well signal the end of his international career though Henderson has reportedly been reassured by England boss Gareth Southgate that he will remain in contention for selection.

    Malcom

    From: Zenit Saint Petersburg

    To: Al-Hilal

    It feels like only yesterday when Malcom was representing Barcelona, since leaving the Camp Nou he’s represented Zenit Saint Petersburg, and from there he’s joined Al Hilal where the Brazilian forward will call Kalidou Koulibaly a future teammate.

    Samuel Chukwueze

    From: Villarreal

    To: AC Milan

    The loss of Sandro Tonali obviously hurts, but Milan has so far enjoyed a productive transfer window. Swiss forward Noah Okafor bolstered their attacking options which already included Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud but the addition of Samuel Chukwueze could be a game-changer. The 24-year-old Nigerian international arrives from Villarreal where he registered 37 goals and 31 assists in 207 appearances.

    Riyad Mahrez

    From: Man City

    To: Al-Ahli

    It’s turning into a summer of transition at treble winners Manchester City who this week said goodbye to mercurial winger Riyad Mahrez, he’s the latest Premier League star — 82 goals and 61 assists in 284 appearances — leaving for the riches of Saudi Arabian football.

    Milan van Ewijk

    From: Heerenveen

    To: Coventry

    Clocked in as the quickest Eredivisie player last term, Milan van Ewijk ended a two-year stay at Heerenveen for Coventry City, still licking their wounds following last season’s Championship play-off final disappointment.

    “He is an exciting player who really fits in with the way we play,” Sky Blues manager Mark Robins said.

    “He has great pace and quality going forward, as well defensive ability.”

    Danilo

    From: Feyenoord

    To: Rangers

    Another swapping the Netherlands for Britain this summer is Brazilian forward Danilo now a Rangers player. The former Ajax man joined their rivals as a free agent before netting eight goals in his opening 12 league outings. Those goals would dry out and the native of São Paulo subsequently became surplus to requirements. He’ll be hoping a change of scenery rekindles that early form in Rotterdam.

    Calvin Bassey

    From: Ajax

    To: Fulham

    Speaking of Rangers, that was the club where Calvin Bassey came to prominence. His standout performances were pivotal in their Europa League final run a few years ago, which caught Ajax’s attention, the powers that be felt Bassey would pick up from where Lisandro Martinez left off but he was unable to. Bassey struggled in the Amsterdammers system, where the centre-backs are essentially playmakers, such disappointment shouldn’t diminish his standing as Fulham’s more pragmatic approach could revitalise that form he displayed in Glashow.

    El Bilal Touré

    From: UD Almería

    To: Atalanta

    Manchester United are close to sealing the deal for Rasmus Højlund meaning Atalanta may need to dip into the market. And the Serie A overachievers have done so. El Bilal Touré, who Everton were linked with, joins from Almería, where his one season in Spain’s top division saw him yield seven goals across 20 matches. The 15-time capped Mali international also became the club’s biggest acquisition. Then again, Højlund is set to be their most expensive outgoing transfer.

    Edinson Cavani

    From: Valencia

    To: Boca Juniors

    European defenders can breathe a sigh of relief with Edinson Cavani ending a 16-year odyssey. He may no longer be at the peak of his power but Cavani still possesses those striking instincts. Argentine royalty Boca Juniors is his new home. La Mitad Más Uno represents the first time since the 2006/07 season Cavani has played outside Europe’s big five leagues.

    James Rodríguez

    From: Free agent

    To: São Paulo

    Since breaking through in the summer of 2014, which earned him a Real Madrid move, it’s been somewhat up-and-down for James Rodríguez who now makes São Paulo his sixth different club since leaving Monaco nearly a decade ago. Brazil naturally holds fond memories for the Colombian playmaker, it was there he finished as a World Cup finals top scorer, his six goals in 2014 were enough to win the Golden Boot.

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