In 2018, there are many exciting transfers. Some are out of people’s expectatition and quite surprising. Some even break the transfer records. After the World Cup, many super stars left their original clubs and went to a new team. Every team has some players leave and some come. Now, let’s look back and see the top 10 transfers in 2018.
10. Malcom
Bordeaux – Barcelona
On July 24, 2018, Brazilian star Malcom, who previously played for the French team Bordeaux, joined Barcelona with a transfer fee of 41 million euros. It is worth mentioning that before joining Barcelona, Malcom had already reached an agreement with Roma. Roma had even officially announced the transfer. When everyone thought that the 21-year-old Brazilian winger would land in Serie A, something happened. Barcelona intervened in this transfer, and finally successfully signed Malcom. This transfer is maybe one of the most dramatic transfers in recent years.
9. Paulinho
Barcelona – Guangzhou Evergrande
Brazilian midfielder Paulinho played as the main force of Brazil in the 2018 Russia World Cup. After Brazil ended their World Cup journey, Guangzhou Evergrande officially announced that Paulinho officially joined the team. Paulinho has played only a season for the Spanish giant Barcelona. The transfer is currently in the form of a loan, and Evergrande has right to buy him. If Guangzhou Evergrande finally decided to buy him, the transfer fee is likely to reach 50 million euros. It was in the summer window of 2017 that Barcelona introduced Paulinho from Evergrande at a fee of 40 million euros. The Brazilian midfielder had 9 goals and 2 assists in 49 games played on behalf of Barcelona.
8. Mahrez
Leicester City – Manchester City
On July 10, 2018, Algeria’s attacking midfielder Mahrez officially joined Manchester City. He left Leicester City where he had stayed for four years. Mahrez was also one of the heroes of Leicester City to win the Premier League title. Mahrez’s transfer fee was 67.8 million euros. After coming to Manchester City, he could not always be the main force because there are too many talented players in the team, but so far, he as taken out good performance.
7. Sanchez
Arsenal – Manchester United
On January 23, 2018, Manchester United officially announced that former Arsenal striker Sanchez officially joined the team. In order to get Sanchez, Manchester United gave Arsenal Mkhitaryan and a transfer fee. Sanchez has also become Manchester United’s new No. 7. It is reported that Sanchez’s highest weekly salary at Manchester United can reach 600,000 pounds. However, after joining Manchester United, he did not take out good performance. Due to injuries, Sanchez has only played 30 times for the Red Devils in two seasons and only scored 4 goals. He also gradually lost the trust of former Manchester United coach Mourinho, and Sanchez has now returned to Chile to recover from injury.
6. Three superstars went to Japan football league
Iniesta – Vissel Kobe
On May 24, 2018, the Japan team Vissel Kobe officially announced that Barcelona star Iniesta joined the team. The Barcelona midfielder would officially go to Japan after the World Cup. After staying in Barcelona for 22 years, Iniesta started his next career in Asia. Iniesta joined Barcelona at the age of 12 and played for the team for 22 years. He has helped Barcelona to win 32 championships, including 9 La Liga, 6 Copa del Rey, 7 Spanish Super Cup, 4 Champions League, 3 UEFA Super Cup and 3 Club World Cup titles.
Torres – Sagan Tosu
On July 10, 2018, the J-League team Sagan Tosu officially announced that Spanish striker Torres officially joined the team. In Calderon, he showed his talent at a young age. After going to Premier League, he grew up to a outstanding player in Anfield. He got lost in Chelsea and AC Milan. And finally, he went home and played for Atletico Madrid again. But this year, at the age of 34, he knew he couldn’t do more for the mother team and he chose to leave. Torres is the representative of the Spanish football gold generation and won two European Cup and a World Cup.
Villa -Vissel Kobe
On December 1, 2018, the Japan team Vissel Kobe officially announced that Spain striker Villa will join the team, but they didn’t tell how long the contract would last. After completing this transfer, Villa also reunited with his former teammate Iniesta. With Spain national team, he has won the European Football Championship and World Cup. For his club career, he has played for Valencia, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. During his time in Barcelone, he won the La Liga and the Champions League.
5. Higuain
Juventus – AC Milan
On August 2, 2018, Argentine striker Higuain was officially loaned to AC Milan by Juventus. Due to the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer, Higuain, who has played extremely well in the two seasons in Juventus, lost his chance to play as main force, so he had to go to AC Milan to seek more chances. In Juventus’s two seasons, Higuain played 105 games, scored 55 goals, and had 11 assists. He helped the team win two Serie A titles.
4. Kepa
Athletic Bilbao – Chelsea
On August 8, 2018, Chelsea officially announced the signing of the Spanish national team goalkeeper Kepa of Athletic Bilbao. Chelsea chose to pay the €80 million liquidated damages to Athletic Bilbao to bring the Spanish goalkeeper to Stamford Bridge. He also broke the previous goalkeeper transfer fee maintained by Alison. The 24-year-old Kepa has played as the number one goalkeeper of the Blues in the new season.
3. Courtois
Chelsea – Real Madrid
On August 9, 2018, the Belgian national goalkeeper Courtois officially joined Real Madrid from Chelsea with a transfer fee of 35 million euros. With only one year left in the contract, Chelsea chose to sell him to Real Madrid. It is what exactly Courtois wants, joining Real Madrid. After coming to Real Madrid, Courtois also takes away the position of Real Madrid’s main goalkeeper Navas and becomes the team’s No. 1 goalkeeper, but his performance is not good enough to fully satisfy Real Madrid fans.
2. Alisson
Roma – Liverpool
On July 19, 2018, Roma goalkeeper Alisson joined Liverpool for 62.5 million euros, which also created the goalkeeper’s transfer fe record at that time. The 26-year-old Brazilian helped Rome got the third place in Serie A last season. It is because of his excellent performance that Roma eliminated Barcelona in the Champions League and advanced into the semi-finals. In this summer’s Russia World Cup, he was the main goalkeeper of Brazil. After joining Liverpool, Alisson’s performance is also very amazing. He helped the Red Army rank the first in the Premier League. Because of his good performance, Liverpool is currently the tean that lost the least goals.
1. C. Ronaldo
Real Madrid – Juventus
On July 10, 2018, the most shocking transfer of the year was born, which is also likely to be one of the most shocking transfers since the 21st century. Real Madrid superstar C Ronaldo joined the Serie A giant Juventus with a transfer fee of 117 million euros. The 33-year-old Ronaldo also became the first player over 30 to transfer at a fee of over $100 million. C Ronaldo’s transfer also changed something of La Liga and Serie A. Real Madrid becomes quite unstable after losing Cristiano Ronaldo, while the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo made the Juventus more stronger. The 33-year-old Portuguese still takes out his outstanding performance to help the Bianconeri squad get good results in both Serie A and Champions League.
