Top 11 best football transfers of 2024
These signings have elevated their teams to a new level
Ever since the world of football was introduced to a plethora of money, we have seen some crazy high-value deals. The year of 2024 was no different. We saw some crazy deals that shook the world and made headlines, some turned to be hyped by failures, while some bargains were totally cherished.
This year we saw many big deals happening, from one of the best in the current generation, Kylian Mbappe joining his boyhood club Real Madrid CF after four seasons of speculation, to a handful of players getting signed by the new American bosses of Chelsea. 2024 might not have been the year that broke the all-time transfer record, but it had caught all the attention for its expected and unexpected deals.
On that note, let’s have a look at which transfers were the biggest hits of 2024:
11. Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta)
Before the 2024-25 season kick-started, not many would have thought that Atalanta BC would be topping the Serie A charts. This stellar performance has been superbly possible for a move that was finalized on July 1, 2024, when Atalanta secured AC Milan’s attacking midfielder Ketelaere for a reported fee close to €23 million.
The 23-year-old Belgian has been perfectly put to use at the club, having assisted five times and scored two already in the league. His performance in the UEFA Champions League has been even better with two goals and five assists. His current contract expires in 2027.
10. João Neves (PSG)
The 20-year-old was signed for a big fee from Benfica this summer. This deal should surely be counted as one of the best in the Luis Enrique era at Paris Saint Germain. Many raised eyebrows when such a fee was paid for the Portuguese, but now it seems like he is worth every penny.
Despite playing as a defensive midfielder, he has contributed to 22% of the team goals in Ligue 1. He has participated in the club’s 80% minutes in both the French top tier and Champions League this season, which at this tender age seems promising for the future.
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9. Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)
The right-winger who reportedly cost €53 million from Crystal Palace, has to be one of Bayern Munich’s best signings in the past few seasons, along with Harry Kane. He has so far appeared in only 14 games in the Bundesliga, but has contributed 10 goals. His electric pace and gifted skills have lured the fans. If he continues to excel like this, trophies would be flooding in the Bayern Munich gates.
The 22-year-old signed a contract till 2029 and looks like he is worth the fee Bayern paid for him, a figure which the German giants usually don’t prefer spending.
8. Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United)
Manchester United might have been bad in the transfer business for some seasons now, but signing this high-profile defender wasn’t a mistake at all. Many, including legends of the game, criticized this move as it happened, but now the 27-year-old is proving all haters wrong.
He wasn’t expected to start, but owing to other player injuries, he got to play in every game of the EPL 2024-25, and after a few hiccups, he has emerged as the best performer in the United back-line. At just 15 million Euros, he surely looks like a bargain and one of the club’s best signings in recent years.
7. Mason Greenwood (Marseille)
Last year, it was a real tough time for Mason Greenwood, he was accused by his girlfriend of domestic, and sexual violence. Following such charges, he was debarred by Manchester United. Many thought the prospects’ career was over.
But, taking a tough challenge he joined Ligue 1 side Marseille this summer. This was surely his best footballing decision. Since joining he has struck 10 goals and two assists in 15 league games. He is the top scorer in the French top tier just after Bradley Barcola and Jonathan David.
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6. Dani Olmo (FC Barcelona)
Signing Dani Olmo was another critical call, as FC Barcelona spent big on him despite the LaLiga FFP haunting them for long. He was signed after a spectacular Euro 2024 with Spain, but his injury-prone nature gave many doubts. To make room for his registration, Barca was forced to release many players.
But, now his entry seems to be one of the smartest moves for sure. He is a versatile player who contributes both as a winger and attacking midfielder. Despite staying out for some time due to registration issues and muscle injury, he has still played a key role in his club’s success this term.
5. Scott McTominay (Napoli)
Another sale by Manchester United, this time to SSC Napoli just proved to be fine in the Serie A after he left. The central midfielder has played in 11 league games, helping Napoli attain the top spot at every instance.
Despite being a midfielder, he hails six goal contributions in 13 games and has featured in nearly 85% of the teams’ minutes in the league. He is proving to be the perfect midfielder in Antonio Conte’s system.
4. Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)
A lot of controversies unfolded between Napoli and Osimhen, leading to a bitter departure. To make things worse for the player, he wasn’t able to count on the interests of the top clubs and had to settle down on a loan deal with Turkish giants Galatasaray. This move however proved to be a boon in disguise. As of now, he has 10 goal contributions in nine Super Lig games, in UEFA Europa League too, he has been stunning with five-goal contributions in four games.
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3. Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli)
The Italian centre-back might not have been that big a name when he left Torino for Napoli this summer. He was signed for a staggering €35 million, which shocked many, but now they have found the answer.
He has been one of the best in Serie A, making clean tackles and error-free interceptions look easy. After missing the first game for an ankle sprain, he has played in all and has been the best reason in defense for the club’s superb performance in the league. His contract expires in 2029.
2. Julián Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)
Manchester City couldn’t have kept both lethal options Erling Haaland, and Julian Alvarez in their arsenal without giving one adequate match time, so they had to sell Alvarez. The prolific Argentine centre-forward was signed by Atletico de Madrid for a staggering fee of €75 million, which now looks like a bargain.
He is proving his worth at his new club, having seven goal contributions in the league, and three goals in five Champions League games. The numbers might seem just above average, but it must be noted that he has not played full minutes, and scoring key goals playing in Diego Simeone’s defensive tactics is a big deal.
1. Romelu Lukaku (Napoli)
Lukaku has been in the news and in the headlines almost every other transfer window. The striker this time moved from Chelsea FC to SSC Napoli, for a reported transfer fee of €30 million. This deal has turned out to be the best one.
He has been the main reason, with his best-in-class finishing, stunner goals, and spectacular shots the prime reason for Napoli to do better than the other Serie A giants after years. The 31-year-old has scored six and assisted four in the league this season already. His performance includes goals against clubs like AC Milan, and AS Roma. As a veteran of the game, he has been the best.
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