Players on the move as new European football season kicks off

Thenew2019/2020europeanfootballseason,comprising matches of the English Premierleague,thespanish Laliga and the Italian Serie A, will be broadcast live on Dstv and Gotv.

But with just two weeks left before the season opener, the various clubs are ramping up their activities in the transfer market, seeking to recruit players to beef up their squad.

Thelaligahasbeenthehotspot for the biggest transfer news in the last couple of weeks, especially with the long-mooted move of Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid to Barcelona completed.

The French forward’s buy-out clause was set at a reported €200 million,althoughatleticoareclaiming that he had agreed his move to the Catalan giants before 1 July and they should,therefore,receiveahighertotal. Regardless, the actuality of Griezmann linking up with the great Lionel Messi is one that will have Barcelona fansreallyexcitedforthenewseason.

Atletico have also been extremely busy in the transfer market. Asides Griezmann’s departure,

the club has also seen midfielder Rodri leave for Premier League champions, Manchester City, for a reported fee of €70 million. But they have brought in youngster Joao Felix, an attacking player from Benfica, for a whopping €126 million – the biggest fee spent in this summer’s transfer market yet.

Felix’s signing for such a huge sum was a surprise, though the versatile 19-year-old Portuguese starlet has immense promise and could prove a great buy in the long run. Rodri,meanwhile,isseenverymuch asthelong-termreplacementatthe Etihadstadiumforfernandinhoand adds further depth of quality to Pep Guardiola’s already stacked squad.

Tottenham Hotspur also made waves in England after it secured Tanguy Ndombele from Olympique Lyon for a club-record €60 million. A wonderful all-round midfielder and superb athlete, the 22-year-old should be a great fit forenglishfootballandstrengthens Spurs’bidtoshatterthedominance of City and Liverpool.

Chelsea, despite their transfer ban, finalised the loan deal of midfielder Mateo Kovacic by making his move from Real Madrid. This was allowed because Kovacic’s initial move was completed before the sanction was applied. More important for the Blues, however, was the appointment of club legend Frank Lampard as manager, replacing Maurizio Sarri.