Top 12 most expensive transfers in 2022 summer window

There have been plenty of movement this time around.

In modern times, the transfer window has become the most exciting time for football fans. With exorbitant transfer values, clubs battle for supremacy to land the signatures of future stars. It is also the time to reinvest and restructure with immediate additions that might give the outfit an edge over others. We've witnessed several players leave and join a new club with ambitious hopes. Here are 10 of them that were the most expensive out of the rest this transfer window.

12. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City to Chelsea)- £50.58m

Sterling required a quick change of scene, away from Pep Guardiola's shadow. The English international felt his status was diminishing at Manchester City. Chelsea needed reinforcements in their attacking ranks after the departures of Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku. The Blues opted for a proven Premier League winger-forward.

Sterling wanted more opportunities, and Chelsea would give that. But it won't be easy to cope with a change in tactics. Sterling has not yet managed to captivate fans with his scoring tally mainly because Thomas Tuchel's style is nowhere as rewarding as Guardiola's was for the attackers.

11. Lisandro Martínez (Ajax to Manchester United)- £51.63m

Manchester United vs Liverpool was a testament to why Martínez was an urgent requirement for Erik ten Hag. Despite the unfair criticism for his short frame, the Argentina international was a crucial factor in preventing an own goal that would have cost Manchester United its first win.

At 24 years of age, Martínez has already performed exceptionally as their regular centre-back and will look to build on from here.

10. Richarlison (Everton to Tottenham)- £52.2m

With a drop in Everton's quality last season, their most creative outlet wanted a way out of another possible relegation battle. Richarlison, as a Brazil international, has every right to compete in a better squad. The opportunity came from Tottenham, and the forward grabbed it with both hands.

Antonio Conte has reinforced his squad to compete with the best in the Premier League, and a goalscorer like Richarlison only bulks up the threats in Spurs' lineup.

9. Raphinha (Leeds to Barcelona)- £52.2m

After an impressive two years at Leeds, it was time for Raphinha to move to a bigger team. His dribbling with flair made him a prospect that bigger sides couldn't refuse. After some back-and-forth negotiations with Chelsea and Barcelona, the Brazil international finally opted to join the Spanish giants.

Barca finally found another player well versed with the Brazilian samba, who can carry on the South American spirits at Camp Nou. At just 25, Raphinha is one of the most exciting prospects to watch aesthetically. He doesn't score goals, but scores golazos.

8. Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City)- £54m

Haaland had a lot of offers last season. Dortmund needed to sell him off before reinvesting the handsome profit. His father's old club, Manchester City, seemed like an ideal destination for the poacher. The Norwegian inherits a supremely-talented supply line behind him, making him a massive threat to any opposition.

In just three league games, the 22-year-old has already scored three times. He's a guaranteed goalscorer and one of Europe's best. So for that fee, City might have just got the best bang for their buck in this summer's window.

7. Marc Cucurella (Brightonto Chelsea)- £58.77m

In his first season in the English top flight, Cucurella's performance was a show-stealer. He was named Players' Player of the Season and Player of the Season, thriving under Graham Potter at Brighton.

Unsurprisingly, as often is the case, many European teams were keen on the product of Barcelona's youth system. The 24-year-old dreamt of moving back to Spain and playing in a packed Camp Nou, but eventually, a concrete offer arrived at Brighton from London. Without much hesitation, the left-back accepted the move to join Chelsea. It will be interesting to see if Cucurella can replicate or improve upon his first season's performance at Amex under Thomas Tuchel for the Pensioners.

6. Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus to Bayern Munich)- £60.30m

Despite playing 87 games for Juventus, de Ligt was never consistent. A five-year contract for £76.95m put him under the spotlight at the tender age of 20. Earlier at Ajax, his performances were so captivating that he was named the youngest captain of Ajax in March 2018 in spite of his inexperience.

De Ligt won the Golden Boy award, becoming the first defender to win it. The centre-back was a key figure during Ajax's memorable Champions League run during the 2018-19 season. Bayern has finally taken a leap of faith to roll the dice for the young defender. They presume that the Dutch international still has what it takes to reach the top. It remains to be seen if De Ligt improves away from Juventus to thrive in a new atmosphere in the Bundesliga. Powers in Germany regard him highly enough to make him the 4th most expensive buy of this window.

5. Alexander Isak (Real Sociedad to Newcastle United) - £63.00m

The latest entry to this list arrives as Real Sociedad has completed Isak's deal with Newcastle for a fee of £63.00m. The Swede had played 132 games and found his name on the scoresheet 44 times in a Sociedad shirt since 2019. Eddie Howe has purchased him with the clear indication of their strengthening their centre-forward options as just Callum Wilson and Chris Wood on the bench won't suffice for an entire season if they want to maintain their chances of a European finish.

4. Casemiro (Real Madrid to Manchester United)- £63.59m

Erik ten Hag's latest signing was an incredible move that caught Manchester United fans by surprise. Few thought that the transfer was even a possibility. Casemiro has been a Real Madrid player since 2013. He has emerged as one of the regulars to aid in the team's several Champions League titles.

As a three-time La Liga champion, five-time Champions League winner, three-time Super Cup, and Club World Cup winner with a Copa América title, the 30-year-old is finally willing to trade his experience for a new challenge in the most unpredictable league in Europe. The Brazil international is a defensive midfielder with ball playing abilities. His individual qualities are a near-perfect amalgamation of what the Red Devils have been lacking ever since.

3. Darwin Núñez (Benfica to Liverpool)- £67.50m

Liverpool needed to bring in new superstars to fill spots within a squad that looks to be eroding from its peak years. Jürgen Klopp was adamant that the Reds sign another striker during this window, coming up short against Manchester City in a title decider last season.

Darwin Núñez had already impressed the Merseysiders, emerging as a potential target during his audition against them in the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. The Uruguayan scored two goals, one in the first and the other in the second leg, while Benfica was eliminated 6–4 on aggregate.

Klopp opted to buy the 23-year-old to strengthen his frontline firepower after Sadio Mane's departure. Though Núñez has a lot to learn, he remains an intriguing prospect, already having scored once in his first two games.

2. Aurélien Tchouameni (Monaco to Real Madrid)- £72.00m

Arriving as another backup for the tiring legs of an aged Real Madrid midfield, Tchouameni will be delighted for his step-up role after the unexpected departure of Real Madrid's first-choice defensive midfielder in Casemiro.

At 22 years, he has envious ball-winning skills with an ability to read passing lanes. His defensive tracking and vertical passing make him an ideal candidate to carry this new-found burden and show his untapped potential. Real is moving in a new direction. They are building a team for the future, and Los Blancos believe in the young French defensive midfielder to serve a long tenure alongside Eduardo Camavinga for the foreseeable future.

1. Antony (Ajax to Manchester United) - £81.3 million

After some back-and-forth negotiations with Ajax, Antony Matheus dos Santos would finally bring his dancing feet to the Theater of Dreams. Manchester United's Dutch manager was hell-bent on reuniting with his trusted winger, and the Red Devils had to reach deep into their pockets to budge Ajax's evaluation of the highly-rated Brazilian.

The 22-year-old is being cultivated for his close control and technical skills. His addition, alongside the other signings over the window, clearly indicates their ambitions for this season. His transfer fee is an initial £81.3 million, with a further £4.27 million in add-ons, making him the highest and latest addition to this list.

**The article was last updated on August 31, 2022.