Patriot takes a look at some of the transfers of the 2019 summer transfer window, that couldn’t grab headlines but prove to be crucial in the long run

After two months of speculation and teams all over Europe splashing the cash, the transfer window finally came to a halt on the midnight of August 3. The deadline of the English clubs however closed on August 10, but all the other countries including big clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid and PSG continued doing their businesses.

There were some sensational transfers like Hazard to Real Madrid and Antoinne Griezmann to Barcelona, and Neymar almost landed himself a move back to the Catalan giants. But apart from these headline-grabbing exchange of players, some clubs had a go at smart buys. There are players whose transfer deals might have skipped the limelight, but will prove to be excellent additions to the team in the future.

Here, Patriot discusses some such key transfers that happened ahead of the 2019-20 season of European football.

Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal to Juventus)

Aaron Ramsey has been a mainstay in midfield for Arsenal for quite some years now. Whether its running from box to box, passing with eagle eyed precision or finding the back of the net with scorchers, Ramsey can be described as one of the best midfielders in the game right now.

This is exactly the kind of player that Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri likes in his team – a proper box to box midfielder. And it is no surprise that they signed Aaron Ramsey. But what makes this transfer the coup of the season, is the fact that the Welsh international didn’t even cost a penny.

Yes, Arsenal let one of their main men go for a free transfer. And though Juventus have to pay a hefty salary for him, his combination with Juventus’ killer attack could prove to be a match-winning combination.

Keylor Navas (Real Madrid to Paris St Germain)

For the past couple of years, PSG have been dominating the French league almost single-handedly, and this has been true especially because they have splashed the cash on their players, including more than 400 million pounds on their two strikers Neymar and Mbappe alone.

But what PSG lacked always was a genuinely good goalkeeper, and that is one of the main reasons why they have always failed in European competitions.  Well now, things seem to have changed as Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas joined the Parisians for just 15 million pounds. The shot stopper is one of the best in the world in his position, and has three Champions League medals to his name. His reflexes and acrobatics are exactly the kind that PSG need and at that price he is nothing short of a bargain, and perhaps the team’s most important summer signing.

David Luiz (Chelsea to Arsenal)

If there is one area that Arsenal struggled at, it has to be at centreback. They were the worst defensive team among the top six of the premier league last season, and with the offloading of their lone quality centreback Laurent Koscielny, the Gunners not only lost a valuable player at that position but also a leader of the locker room. They needed someone to replace him.

What they got as a replacement was simply shocking, as Chelsea decided to part ways with one of their main defenders David Luiz, that too to their biggest rivals in the EPL.

Luiz definitely has the physical presence of a quality centreback and he also possesses that leadership quality so required at the heart of defence, and improves the Gunners’ back line by quite a margin. That too at a bargain price of just eight million pounds.

Idrissa Gueye (Everton to PSG)

Who is the most important member of the team? Most people will say it is the striker or the defenders, but it is actually the defensive or holding midfielder that holds the balance of the game. He forms that connection between the defence and midfield, like a pivot holds the balance of the team together.

The leader of the Premier League in terms of tackles for the last two seasons has been Gueye for Everton, and while Richarlison takes all the limelight for his brilliant scoring upfront, the Senegalese can be considered the most important player in the Merseyide team.

PSG lacked a fulcrum in midfield like Gueye, who could supply passes to their fluid attacking line, and this signing and the 25 million pound signing of Gueye can be proved to be a masterstroke. The man can protect the defence and supply to the attackers with ease, and has proven experience in the Premier League, considered the toughest in the world.

This summer signing may prove to be a major force and can elevate the Parisians to do well in Europe.

Moise Kean (Juventus to Everton)

One of Europe’s most talented youngsters, Moide Kean was a sensation when he netted a few goals for the Italian champions last season. He rose to fame in an instant, and was considers as one of the future stars of Juventus.

But perhaps due to less game time, it was important for him to move to a club where he would be a regular starter in the first 11. But it came as quite a surprise when Kean decided to join Everton, and not some big club.

Everton on the other hand scored one of the coups of the season, having secured the goal scorer as just 25 million pounds. With Richarlison already shining for them upfront, Kean will be a welcome addition and seeing the talent this youngster possesses, it will not be long before he show his talent to the world, and some big club will come knocking on his doors after a few years with triple or four time the money he has been offered now.

He is also a perfect fit for Everton, as he can play both as a striker and out wide as a winger.

Fabian Delph (Manchester City to Everton)

Everton perhaps might have been the smartest when it has come to transfers this season. They let Gueye go, but brought in Fabian Delph for half the price 10 million pounds.

The England international was a fulcrum at City, having played in various positions both in defence and in midfield, and has been an instrumental player in Guardiola’s success with the Citizens.

But with the likes of Rodri and Angelino arriving for them in the summer, Delph might have been reduced to an afterthought and the move to Everton, who are looking for a place in Europe, might have just increased their chance of landing there with this signing.

Delph is hungry and gives his all out in the field, and if he lives up to his full potential can one of the Premier League signings of the summer.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Crystal Palace to Manchester United)

Ever since the retirement of Gary Neville around a decade ago, Manchester United had lacked a solid presence at right back. The Red devils had to make do in the past few years with makeshift players like Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young at that position, who were very poor defensively. The opposition used to attack from the right side and exploited this major weakness at the club.

This year, however, Ole Gunner Solksjaer signed the most promising young right back in England, Aaron Wan Bissaka after a superb season with Crystal Palace last year. The defender, often referred to as Spider Man, for his ability to weave a web around the attackers at the right-hand side, is astute defensively, and an amazing tackler. He also has great vision for passing, and has the ability to run down the wing and join the attack too. He is exactly the kind of right back that United have been looking for all these years. At 45 million pounds, Wan Bissaka is money well spent, and a prospect for the future.