Winners and losers of summer transfer window so far

Daniel Edwards

• Updated: 28 Jun 2022 14:19 CDT
• 4 min read

The summer transfer window is now in full flow, with deals aplenty happening all across Europe.

But while some are sitting pretty so far, others may well be getting nervous about how the window is shaping up.

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Winner - Manchester City

How does one go about improving on (near)perfection?

Pep Guardiola's charges once more proved to be a formidable force over the course of the 2021-22 season, winning the Premier League with a massive tally of 93 points and missing out narrowly on the Champions League final at the hands of Real Madrid.

Now, domestic and European rivals alike should be very concerned, as City look set to be even better next time around.

The club has moved quickly to bolster their attack, already the most potent in English football having netted 99 league goals last term.

Bringing in Erling Haaland for Arsenal-bound Gabriel Jesus is an undoubted trade-up in quality and should make City even deadlier while adding a legitimate world-class striker to their ranks.

Behind the Norwegian, the progress of young Argentina striker Julian Alvarez will also be fascinating to watch as he adapts following his move from River Plate.

Add the impending arrival of Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United and it is shaping up to be a very bright summer indeed at the Etihad Stadium.

Loser - Neymar

The Brazilian is in serious danger of finding himself the odd man out both at Paris Saint-Germain and in general.

Fresh from tying down Mbappe's extension, PSG are reportedly keen to move Neymar on this summer, even though the player himself is keen to stay.

But there are not many clubs who could afford his steep transfer fee and wages, with former club Barcelona, Manchester United and Chelsea among the few possible options should they be willing to spend on the 30-year-old.

Loser - Chelsea

It was not hard to envision a difficult transfer window for Chelsea this summer.

The Blues were left in disarray by the sanctions placed on the club and former owner Roman Abramovich at the start of the year, severely restricting their operating abilities.

That and the uncertainty left by the Russian's exit and takeover talks meant there was precious little time to plan for this window at Stamford Bridge, and plenty of urgent business that needed attending to.

Chelsea have already lost defensive duo Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free transfers as well as Romelu Lukaku, who is looking to regroup back on loan at Inter.

Technical director Petr Cech has also left while no incoming deals have been clinched yet, and the Londoners will have a lot of work to do to strengthen before the window closes.

Winner - Darwin Nunez

Nunez's rise has been nothing short of sensational.

This time two years ago the Uruguay international was in the middle of a decent first season in the Spanish second tier with Almeria after moving from Penarol in 2019.

Now he is looking forward to starring at Anfield alongside the likes of Mohamed Salah, Thiago Alcantara and Virgil van Dijk, after passing his Liverpool audition with flying colours in the Champions League quarter-finals with a goal in each leg and earning a €100 million move to the giants.

At just 23 the forward can still grow, but he has the pace, physicality and precision in front of goal to make a big impact at his new club.

Loser - Serie A

The Italian top flight has found it increasingly difficult to compete in the transfer market with its peers in Europe's top five leagues, and this current period looks to be no exception.

Inter aside, who swooped to sign Lukaku after a year in Chelsea, there has been precious little to get excited about from an Italian perspective so far.

Juventus have lost legendary defender Giorgio Chiellini to MLS and are still looking to clinch their first deal of the summer, while reigning Serie A champions Milan have been equally inactive.

The funds are simply not there, even at the biggest clubs, to compete with the Premier League for talent, and it would be a surprise to see many bid deals completed by the time the window concludes.