Fabrizio Romano’s 10 most underrated signings of the summer

Robin Bairner

31 Aug 2024 12:30 BST
5 min read

Fabrizio Romano, transfer news — © IMAGO

Football transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has weighed in on what he believes will prove the best under-the-radar pieces of business from the summer window.

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Romano has included deals from numerous big clubs in his list, with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea featuring in prominent positions, but he has picked a €60m deal as his favourite.

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Romano’s top 10 deals of the summer

10. Desire Doue, 19, Stade Rennais to PSG (€50m): Desire Doue is a top, top player for the future. He will need some time to fulfil his potential, he’s still very young, but staying in France with PSG gives him the opportunity to perform in a league that he already knows very well under an excellent in coach in Luis Enrique. I think joining PSG is an excellent move for him.

Current ETV

Désiré Doué

M (CL)

PSG

Désiré Doué

M (CL)

PSG

ETV Range

€17M - €28.3M

9. Yaser Asprilla, 20, Watford to Girona (€18.00m): I am absolutely convinced that Yaser Asprilla is going to be one of the next big things from South America. Under a top coach like Michel, he can go to the next level and he has a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate his quality playing at a higher level. Ten clubs wanted to sign him this summer, so it’s a wonderful piece of business by Girona.

Current ETV

Yaser Asprilla

M (CR)

Girona

Yaser Asprilla

M (CR)

Girona

ETV Range

€3M - €5.1M

8. Noussair Mazraoui, 26, Bayern Munich to Manchester United (€15.00m): For me, Noussair Mazraoui is an underrated transfer because he cost €15.00m + add-ons but he is a really versatile player. He can play left-back, right-back and he is a very smart player. I think his transfer value is a lot higher than what Manchester United paid for him. This is a great piece of business from Manchester United.

Current ETV

Noussair Mazraoui

D (RL)

Man Utd

Noussair Mazraoui

D (RL)

Man Utd

ETV Range

€15.6M - €26.1M

7. Nico Paz, 19, Real Madrid to Como (€6.00m): I’m in love with Nico Paz! He is such an exciting talent. His impact for Como on his debut was unbelievable. I think he has the talent that deserves to play regular first-team football and working under a Spanish manager like Cesc Fabregas, it will provide Como with the perfect mix.

Current ETV

Nico Paz

M (C)

Como

Nico Paz

M (C)

Como

ETV Range

€3.2M - €5.2M

6. Yan Couto, 22, Manchester City to Borussia Dortmund (Loan): Yan Couto is an excellent addition the Borussia Dortmund squad. He is a right-back with top quality who can provide assists and goals, like he did when he was on loan at Girona last season. This is a very smart move from Borussia Dortmund.

Current ETV

Yan Couto

D, M, AM (R)

Dortmund

Yan Couto

D, M, AM (R)

Dortmund

ETV Range

€18.8M - €31.3M

5. Ian Maatsen, 22, Chelsea to Aston Villa (€44.50m): Ian Maatsen fell in love with Unai Emery’s Aston Villa project. Emery played a crucial role in convincing the player to join the club because he had many options this summer, including staying at Borussia Dortmund. From Chelsea’s perspective, this was a perfect deal from a financial point-of-view for PSR purposes. I think Maatsen is a fantastic left back, and he showed this in the second half of the season at Dortmund last year by making an insane contribution that helped his club reach the Champions League final. He can score goals, provide assists and he works really hard for his team. I love his quality. I think Ian Maatsen is going to be a fantastic player for Aston Villa this season and his potential to improve is massive.

Current ETV

Ian Maatsen

D (L)

Aston Villa

Ian Maatsen

D (L)

Aston Villa

ETV Range

€34.2M - €57.1M

4. Savinho, 20, Troyes to Manchester City (€25.00m): We’ve already seen Savinho have a fantastic impact at Manchester City in the first games of the season, and that didn’t surprise me. This is a signing that Manchester City completed a long time ago and it has gone under the radar in many ways. Savinho had a brilliant season on loan at Girona and demonstrated his brilliant skills as he helped his club qualify for the Champions League. He has incredible dribbling ability and is very fast. I think he is destined to become one of the big stars in the Premier League in the future.

Current ETV

Savinho

M (L)

Man City

Savinho

M (L)

Man City

ETV Range

€29.7M - €49.5M

3. Giorgi Mamardashvili, 23, Valencia to Liverpool (€30.00m, joins in 2025): Liverpool have signed a super player with the capture of Georgian international Giorgi Mamardashvili. I think it’s quite an underrated transfer because he will be a very important player for the club in the future. Of course, Liverpool have Alisson, who has been a brilliant goalkeeper for the club, and this is a signing from Liverpool with one eye on the future. Giorgi Mamardashvili will be a fantastic replacement when the time is right. In my opinion, Giorgi Mamardashvili is worth a lot more than the €30.00m + add-ons that Liverpool are going to pay for the player. He is a player that will be worth double that fee in the future.

Current ETV

Giorgi Mamardashvili

Valencia

Giorgi Mamardashvili

Valencia

ETV Range

€22.1M - €36.9M

2. Willian Estevao, 17, Palmeiras to Chelsea (€34.00m): People in Brazil say that Willian Estevao could be the next big player to emerge from the country. They are so excited about him and believe he has the potential to become the next Neymar if he can continue to develop in the right way. He is an incredible prospect, and he has been identified as a player to watch since he started his career in the Palmeiras academy. Since breaking into the first team, he has done really well. Chelsea have signed a player with a very bright future.

1. Joao Neves, 19, Benfica to PSG (€59.92m): Joao Neves was always PSG’s top transfer target this summer. Luis Enrique and Luis Campos really wanted him to join their project in Paris. I consider Joao Neves transfer from Benfica to PSG to be the most underrated transfer this summer. Joao Neves is a genius and a fantastic midfielder. I think he will establish himself as one of the best midfielders in football over the next few years. He has everything that you need to be a top, top player. Quality, intensity - he has it all.