Europe’s 10 Biggest Transfer Window Bargains – Revisited.

By: chris | June 3rd, 2009

Chances are you’ve forgotten and we could’ve gotten away without assuming any responsibility whatsoever, but there’s no integrity in that and we’re nothing if not…nevermind.

Back in September we listed the ten biggest transfer bargains of the summer and though one year is hardly enough time to properly assess a player’s impact on a squad, it’s high time to pass judgement on our transfer predictions. Just because.

Diego Milito, Genoa (€8m): No explanation needed, just the numbers from his five years in Europe.

07-08 (Zaragoza): 15goals
06-07 (Zaragoza): 21g
05-06 (Zaragoza): 15g
04-05 (Genoa: 22g
03-04 (Genoa): 12g

20-ish sounds about right for this year, eh?

Verdict: 24 goals and a one-way ticket to Inter – at an incredible profit, one would assume. But then this was always a prediction along the lines of Hemingway penning a decent novel, Mozart composing a mildly pleasing symphony and Adam Sandler making a dumbfoundingly bad movie which brings in even more dumbfounding box office receipts. Pass.

Mathieu Flamini, Milan (Free): Most people will point to Arsenal’s unexpected loss to Fulham due largely to the absence of Cesc in midfield. But others say there was another midfielder missed more, Flamini. The true measure of this buy may have less to do with his impact in Milan and more to do with his in absentia impact at the Emirates.

Verdict: Serie A is not a league most adapt to off the blocks – particularly on the defensive side. ‘Twas the case for Flamini but he eventually came good and became a very solid player at a very cheap price. And he did all this despite squinting through the golden glare of GoldenMcNuggets. Pass.

Deco, Chelsea (€8.6m): There’s a bit of confusion around his actual transfer fee, but whatever it is will likely turn out to be moot in the end because he’s going to be fantastic in London, as evidenced by his start in blue. The joga bonito revolution at the Bridge has begun, and he’s going to be integral to Big Phil’s plans.

Verdict: There are lots of four letter words which could describe Deco this season. ‘Good’ would not be one of them. Like Milito, a summer move to Inter is on the cards. Unlike Milito, it’s because he too wants to meet Mourinho in the showers. Fail.

Rafael van der Vaart, Real Madrid (€9m, can rise to €13m): Real Madrid isn’t typically known for their financial prudence, but they managed to steal one in RvdV – not too much credit, however, as his €1.5m release clause intended for next summer handcuffed HSV a bit. His start has been inauspicious (red card in the Super Cup), but in the end he’ll show his class. At least on the pitch.

Verdict: This one was nearly all about the price and RvdV still failed to live up to his (second) bargain basement transfer fee. And I’m convinced he built up the move to Spain to the point where it was always going to be a disaster. Which leaves me wondering why the hell he was on this list in the first place. Fail.

Vincent Kompany, Man City (€7.35m): Unfortunately for HSV, negotiating sales isn’t their forte. Probably the last bargain transfer Manchester City will see under this ownership, but it was a good one. Kompany is one of those absurd talents who’s been so hyped for so long, you forget he’s only 22 and still a long way to go before his prime. Kinda like that Micah Richards. Oh that D line is going to be good.

Verdict: He’s young, he’s supremely gifted, he performed well and he didn’t release a sex tape this year. Pass.

Antonio Cassano, Sampdoria (€0 + sell-on clause): This might have been the most ingenious work of the entire transfer window. Cassano was an absolute stud while on loan last year but still a bit of headcase, keeping the masses at bay. So Sampdoria managed to get him from Madrid for free, signing him until 2013, but Real Madrid will get €7m if they sell him in 2008 (not happening) and €5m anytime thereafter. Two years ago it was thought Roma got absolutely hosed for sending him to Madrid at a cutrate price of €5m after buying him from Bari from €28m in 2001. Who knew?

Verdict: Though Sampdoria had a largely disappointing season, Coppa run aside, Cassano is still stupidly good and the blucerchiati will never have to worry about him picking up an injury on int’l duty. At least not while Marcello Lippi is still running the show. Plus any potential sell-on, even with that €5m fee to Real, could buy an entire new starting XI. And he released the best football autobiogarphy in the last half-dozen years or so. Pass.

Julio Santa Cruz, Blackburn Reserves (Undisclosed): No clue how much it cost Blackburn. No clue if he’ll ever play. But soon after he landed in England, big bro Roque snubbed his wealthy suitors and signed a four year deal to stay with the Rovers. Checkmate.

Verdict: Upon his arrival Roque spent the year begging to leave, leading Blackburn to near relegation and dropping his goal total from 23 to 6 while playing just 20 league games. Clearly little bro is a bad influence. Fail.

Pablo Aimar, Benfica (€6.5m): Tough to negotiate fees when you’ve just been relegated, eh Zaragoza? His stint with Zaragoza left a lot to be desired, but he still can be one of the best playmakers in the world on his day. If he’s on form this year, he’ll catch the eye of the giant clubs once again.

Verdict: Can’t say the Portuguese league is viewed much over these parts, but when Google News links you back to Argentina in your prime….things didn’t go spectacularly well. Largely due to injuries, but still. Fail.

Tomas Ujfalusi, Atletico Madrid (Free): One of the most underrated defenders in Serie A left for La Liga to try and mend Atletico’s Achilles heel. More so than his solid play, however, is his ability to play equally as well on the right as in the center. Good, versatile defenders aren’t always cheap and readily available.

Verdict: Good: He’s linked to big clubs for big money. That’s a 100% profit and an indication that he wasn’t all… Bad: Atletico were humorously disastrous at the back this season on more than one occasion and his year will always be defined by being booted off the Czech team for cavorting with ladies of the night. Again. Push.

Fernando Forestieri, Genoa (Player transfer + loan): File this one away for a couple years down the road because Forestieri is only 18, but good lord is he a talent.

As ever in calcio, transfers can get creative, and this one certainly did. For Siena’s half of co-ownership, Genoa sent Manuel Coppola’s contract, Forestieri back to Siena on free loan for a year and a moderate bonus should he play 15 games. But in just a few years, even €20m might prove to have been a steal. Called Cassano with his head on straight. Scary.

Verdict: Still far, far too young to make any sort of call. Push.

Overall: We’re basically hit or miss – which means we’re supremely qualified to run a big club.

We’re available, Florentino.