Paulo Dybala (Juventus to Roma, free)
With so many big-name players out of contract, this has been a summer packed with heavyweight free transfers. Juventus have played their part, bringing Paul Pogba back and also recruiting Ángel Di María to sprinkle stardust on an underachieving squad. Dybala, meanwhile, saw his time at Juve end in acrimonious fashion. Having been linked with Inter and several Premier League clubs, the forward has instead signed for Roma. He has accepted a reduced salary boosted by bonuses and has ingratiated himself with fans by declining to wear Francesco Totti’s old No 10 shirt. After a promising first season under José Mourinho, Roma are taking a gamble on the Argentinian, 28, firing them back into Italy’s elite. Next summer, they will have to renegotiate his contract or face losing him through a €20m release clause. This is not a risk-free move for either party but a player who struggled with playing second fiddle at Juve has the potential to shine as the main attraction in Rome.
Armel Bella-Kotchap (Bochum to Southampton, £8.4m)
Southampton have stayed afloat in the Premier League thanks to a transfer policy that targets promising players at affordable prices. This summer, they have already spent £40m on four emerging talents under the age of 21. Roméo Lavia and Gavin Bazunu (both signed from Manchester City) and Bordeaux forward Sékou Mara all have big potential, but it is Bella-Kotchap who stands out. After developing in Germany’s lower leagues, the centre-back made his breakthrough in Bochum’s promotion-winning season. Ralph Hasenhüttl’s pressing system relies on an aggressive defence and Bella-Kotchap, 20, should fit in perfectly. In the Bundesliga last season, he was among the top performers in terms of interceptions and winning aerial duels. Southampton conceded 67 league goals last season – a figure that needs to improve urgently. He will need time to settle, but Bella-Kotchap may provide an affordable answer.
Adam Hlozek (Sparta Prague to Bayer Leverkusen, £11.1m)
Regarded in the Czech Republic as the most promising homegrown talent since Tomas Rosicky, this strong and skilful centre-forward has been on the radar of Europe’s biggest clubs since making his senior debut for Sparta Prague at the age of 16. Hlozek turns 20 on 25 July and is about to start a new chapter in his career, having made 131 appearances for his first club and broken into the national side. Most comfortable playing as a second striker, Hlozek created almost as many goals as he scored at Sparta. Having moved quickly to sign him at a relatively low price, Leverkusen will hope he can link up effectively with compatriot Patrik Schick.
Marc Roca (Bayern to Leeds, £10m)
After their dramatic escape from relegation, Leeds are experiencing a turbulent summer. Jesse Marsch has leaned on his Red Bull links to recruit three players, while the Feyenoord winger Luis Sinisterra has been tasked with replacing Raphinha. Kalvin Phillips has also moved on and Marsch has moved quickly to recruit a new-look midfield. Having failed to break through at Bayern, the left-footed Roca is expected to slot in alongside Leipzig’s Tyler Adams. Roca played a key role in Spain’s U21 Euros victory in 2019, alongside the likes of Pablo Fornals and Dani Olmo. Having seen some new recruits struggle with injuries and the Premier League’s pace, Leeds have agreed a £10m initial fee, with extra fees based on appearances. That looks a very good price for a player who will bring quality and composure to Marsch’s midfield.
Denzel Dumfries The flying Dutch wing-back impressed in his first season at Inter, attracting interest from Manchester United. Inter may choose to cash in with Dumfries now valued at around €40m.
Gianluigi Donnarumma Endured a difficult first season at PSG, including high-profile error in the Champions League loss to Real Madrid, but is set to be clear first-choice keeper next season.
Eduardo Camavinga Supposedly a signing for the future, the French teenager made an immediate impact, coming off the bench to energise the Madrid midfield during their run to Champions League glory.
Tino Livramento Right-back enjoyed an excellent season at Southampton before suffering an ACL injury in April, which could keep him out until 2023.
Jesper Lindstrøm Danish playmaker enjoyed a superb debut season, winning Bundesliga's rookie of the year award and helping Eintracht Frankfurt secure Europa League glory.
Demarai Gray Was exceptional early in the season under Rafa Benítez before a mid-season slump, but bounced back to provide two crucial assists in the run-in under Frank Lampard.
Aster Vranckx Midfielder has become a first-team regular at Wolfsburg, earning a place on Golden Boy's top 100 shortlist and interest from Everton and Nottingham Forest.
Lazar Samardzic Also included in the top 100, the creative midfielder enjoyed a solid season with Udinese and earned his first Germany U21 call-up.
Calvin Stengs Winger has struggled with form and fitness at Nice, and could return to Netherlands with Feyenoord or Ajax this summer.
Matthew Hoppe American forward is yet to score a goal for Mallorca but plans to fight for his place despite a number of loan offers.
Mario Gila (Real Madrid to Lazio, £5.2m)
In his first season at Lazio, head coach Maurizio Sarri led his team to fifth place while introducing his trademark high-tempo tactics on a side that had been more reactive under Simone Inzaghi. This summer, Lazio have focused on retooling their defence, with the arrival of three new centre-backs already. Gila has joined Verona’s Nicolò Casale and Milan’s Alessio Romagnoli in signing up, and the former Espanyol academy player looks an ideal fit for Sarri’s pressing system. Quick, decisive and comfortable playing out from the back, Gila, 22 in August, has found first-team chances limited in Madrid but did earn a La Liga debut under Carlo Ancelotti last season. Having initially planned a loan move, Lazio decided to buy Gila outright and he could play a bigger part than expected this season.
Corentin Tolisso (Bayern to Lyon, free)
After finishing eighth in Ligue 1 last season, Lyon are looking up after a takeover and several eye-catching signings this summer. Experienced left-back Nicolás Tagliafico has signed for just €4m, while Alexandre Lacazette and Tolisso, who both left in 2017 for a combined £85m, have returned for free. While hometown hero Lacazette will provide an immediate boost up front, he is 31 now and has showed signs of slowing down. As for Tolisso, the midfielder did not meet sky-high expectations at Bayern Munich, with serious injury stalling their record signing’s progress – but he still played his part in winning 14 major trophies in Germany. With Bayern wavering over a new contract, the 27-year-old seized the chance to return home and play more regularly, in a move with little downside for Lyon.
Alessandro Sorrentino (Pescara to Monza, £850,000)
Top-flight debutants Monza are not in Serie A to make up the numbers. Backed by Silvio Berlusconi, the club have embarked on an ambitious recruitment drive. They are among Serie A’s biggest spenders so far this summer, with Italy midfielders Matteo Pessina and Stefano Sensi joining on loan and a move for Mauro Icardi reportedly in the works. Among these headline moves, the €1m move for Sorrentino is intriguing. The 20-year-old keeper made his breakthrough in Italy’s regional third tier, with performances good enough to earn an invitation to training camp from the Azzurri manager, Roberto Mancini. With experienced stopper Alessio Cragno arriving on loan from Cagliari, rising star Sorrentino may be loaned out this season but could prove to be a future star for this upwardly mobile team.
Sam Johnstone (West Brom to Crystal Palace, free)
Last season, Patrick Vieira was able to revitalise Crystal Palace’s squad with a number of shrewd signings. Under the Frenchman, Palace have focused on young, homegrown talents eager for regular top-flight football. The club are also prepared to change tack if the opportunity arises, however, as it did when Johnstone failed to agree a new contract at West Brom. Palace had not planned to sign a keeper and at 29, he is older than most recent recruits. Johnstone, capped three times by England, arrives in a World Cup year and will be desperate to dislodge Vicente Guaita, who is now 35 and prone to muscle problems. If he can recapture his best form, Palace may have found themselves a new long-term No 1.
Salih Özcan (Köln to Dortmund, £4.3m)
Still only 24, Özcan has packed plenty of experience into his career so far. After giving up a promising career as a wrestler to focus on football, he has become a star for his hometown club and was named Germany’s best young player in 2019. Özcan then endured relegation and a loan move away before helping Köln return to the Bundesliga. After winning the U21 Euros with Germany in 2021, the left-footed midfielder has switched allegiances to Turkey – prompting comparisons with the Dortmund legend Nuri Sahin. The BVB sporting director, Sebastian Kehl, sees Özcan as a player “who goes where it hurts and does everything without compromise”. With Axel Witsel departing, Özcan can add the necessary grit in midfield.
Fábio Carvalho (Fulham to Liverpool, £5m)
After his move to Anfield broke down in January, Fábio Carvalho returned to Fulham with his contract running down. That meant that on 1 July, he would have been free to move abroad or join another English club with a fee set via tribunal. To avoid taking that risk, Liverpool offered Fulham a deal in April: £5m up front plus £2.7m in add-ons, plus 20% of any future sale. It may seem steep for a player with weeks left on his contract, but any tribunal may have valued Carvalho more highly after he played a prominent role in the Cottagers’ promotion campaign. Securing a rising English star for just £5m may prove to be an inspired decision, and Jürgen Klopp’s track record suggests that he will get first-team chances.
