Europe’s 10 Biggest Transfer Window Bargains

By: chris | September 3rd, 2008

Obviously the true bargains won’t be known for some time, but there were a few transfers which caught the eye before the participants had even put on their new shirt. Eliminating loans made sure somebody has actually bought up the entire contract this summer, and everyone of these guys happened to come in at under €10m (didn’t start that way). So for our money, these are the 10 biggest bargains going into the new year.

In no particular order:

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

* – Luckily for HSV, though, they didn’t need a ton of cash from their grumpy captain or VK to have one of the best transfer campaigns in Europe, bringing in Mladen Petric, Marcell Jansen, Thiago Neves and Alex Silva for roughly €28m (and Mohammed Zidan to Dortmund). Very astute buys as a whole.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.