Record transfers in European football
Novy
Kapadia
Other big money spenders this season have been the French clubs Paris St. Germain and Monaco, with powerful financial backing from Middle East investors. Lanky striker Edinson Cavani moved from Napoli to Paris St. Germain for 57 million pounds or Rs. 570 crores. Monaco which has not even qualified for the prestigious UEFA Champions’ League and have a modest stadium capacity of 18,500, roped in prolific Columbian striker Falcao for Rs. 530 crores. Brazilian super star Neymar joined Barcelona from Santos for Rs. 500 crores. So the total money spent on transfers this summer will be staggering.
The most expensive transfer in the Barclays Premier league is Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho from Shakhtar Donetsk to Manchester City for Rs. 350 crores. Till now Manchester City has spent Rs. 833 crores, the maximum in transfer fees. This figure could increase, as perturbed by the injuries to central defenders Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasic, they are persuading FC Porto’s highly rated French defender Eliaquim Mangala to shift allegiances, for a sum of Rs. 450 crores.
The Barclays Premier League regarded as the most competitive (newly promoted Cardiff City upset runners up Manchester City 3-2 in their second league fixture) and watched division in the world have had the most lucrative transfers. All twenty clubs have made transfers to strengthen their squad.
As the Premier League’s new domestic TV deal is worth 3.018 billion pounds, survival means an enhanced share of revenue. So the newly promoted clubs purchase players as an investment for future prosperity. Sometimes purchases are made because of the manager’s game plan. By omitting his trio of recognized strikers in the vital match against Manchester United, Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho indicated that he wanted a new leader of the attack. So Chelsea has purchased veteran Samuel Et’o of Cameroon from Anzi Makachakia (Russia). Spurs has already spent Rs. 500,000 crores to purchase four new players. but they need a replacement for Bale. So they are trying to secure playmaker Christian Eriksen from Ajax Amsterdam for a sum of Rs. 120 crores.
There is a major difference between the way transfers take place in Europe and India. In European professional football, the transfer fee goes to the selling club. The sold player gets a weekly wage which for stars like Wayne Rooney could be Rs. 2.5 crores. In India, the player gets the entire transfer fee and the club from which he is sold gets no money.
Tottenham Hotspur or Spurs have been active in the transfer market this season. They have acquired the dynamic Brazilian midfielder Paulinho from Corinthians for £17 million (Rs. 170 crores), Spanish striker Roberto Soldado from Valencia for £26 million (Rs. 260 crores) and Belgian international Nacer Chadli for £7 million(Rs. 70 crores) from FC Twente. A dual citizen of Belgium-Morocco, Chadli opted for Belgium in 2011. Spurs have also confirmed that burly striker Emmanuel Adebayor, on loan till now, has been signed officially.
Manchester United has been sluggish in the transfer market. Cesc Fabregas who said that he wants to stay on at Barcelona rejected manager David Moyes’ bid for the Spanish midfielder. Moyes’ wants two midfielders to strengthen his squad. Manchester United pondered a £25 million (Rs. 250 crore) bid for the Real Madrid and Croatian midfielder Luka Modric. Since moving from Spurs last summer, Modric has failed to establish himself in Real Madrid and may welcome a move back to the Premiership.
Back at Chelsea after five years, the “Special One” Jose Mourinho has had two bids for Wayne Rooney rejected whilst defender David Luiz has stunned him requesting a transfer to Barcelona. Adding to their existing squad of talented youngsters like Oscar and Eden Hazard, they have bought 20-year-old Dutch newcomer Marco van Ginkel and 22-year-old German international Andre Schurrle.
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