The 2024/25 European football season has seen significant financial activity during the summer transfer window, with several high-profile players changing clubs for substantial fees. Since we are almost halfway through the season, it is time to check on those players and see how they are doing. Some have been able to impact their clubs from the very start, while others still need a bit of time to adapt to their respective leagues and clubs.
Julian Alvarez (Man City to Atletico Madrid)
Julian Alvarez moved from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid for an initial fee of £64 million, potentially rising to £82 million with add-ons. Alvarez had a successful stint at City, contributing to their Premier League and Champions League victories. He was touted as the driving force of Guardiola’s offense, but decided to leave in favour of more playing time.
At Atletico, he has continued to showcase his skills, scoring crucial goals and providing assists. His adaptability has been evident as he integrates into Diego Simeone’s tactical setup. So far this season, Alvarez has scored 12 goals and provided 2 assists in 25 appearances in all competitions.
Dominic Solanke (Bournemouth to Tottenham)
Tottenham Hotspur secured Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth for £55 million.
Solanke’s move follows a prolific period at Bournemouth, where he scored 72 goals over several seasons.
At Spurs, he has quickly become a key figure in the attack, netting four goals in his first six matches. His ability to link up play and create opportunities for teammates has been vital as Spurs aim to challenge for top honours this season. Unfortunately, problems with injuries slowed him down a bit, causing him to currently stand on five goals and two assists in 13 games played in the Premier League. We assume that as soon as he gets back to fitness, he will get back to scoring goals.
Leny Yoro (Lille to Man United)
Leny Yoro joined Manchester United from Lille for approximately £52 million.
The young French defender is seen as a long-term investment for United. Yoro has made a solid start to his career at Old Trafford, featuring prominently in defence during the preseason.
He has shown promise with his tackling and aerial ability, contributing to United’s improved defensive record early in the season. Unfortunately, he fractured his foot, limiting him to only three appearances this season. He should be getting back soon, but he will have to adapt to the playstyle of the new coach, Ruben Amorim, who is definitely going to look to include Yoro in his defensive line.
Pedro Neto (Wolves to Chelsea)
Pedro Neto transferred from Wolverhampton Wanderers to Chelsea for £51.6 million.
Neto’s pace and dribbling skills have added depth to Chelsea’s attacking options. He has made an immediate impact by scoring two goals and providing three assists in his first seven matches.
His ability to stretch defences and create space for others has been crucial as Chelsea seeks to regain its status among the elite clubs in England. However, his form has slowed down a bit as Enco Maresca finally found a formula that works for him.
Neto needs to get accustomed to a role off the bench. With a fully loaded Chelsea squad, it will be increasingly hard for him to find a place in the first team, especially if Jadon Sancho, Noni Madueke, and Christopher Nkunku continue improving.
Amadou Onana (Everton to Aston Villa)
Amadou Onana moved from Everton to Aston Villa for £50 million.
Onana’s transition to Villa has been seamless. He scored on his debut just four minutes into the match against West Ham United. His physical presence and ball-winning capabilities have significantly bolstered Villa’s midfield.
With three goals so far this season, Onana is proving to be a valuable asset as Villa aims for a strong showing in domestic and European competitions. He quickly made Villa fans forget about Douglas Luiz, becoming a prime substitute for the main man in the middle.
