Transfer deals you might have missed this week, from a Riquelme admirer to a towering goalkeeper

Even with all eyes on two major continental tournaments (Euro 2024 and the 2024 Copa América) ending soon, clubs’ preparations for the new season continue unabated.

The summer transfer window has been open for a while, and so far, there hasn’t been that one gigantic, big-money move, with the only blockbuster announcement being Kylian Mbappé leaving Paris Saint-Germain for Real Madrid on a free transfer. However, that should change as we go deeper into the window.

What has happened, though, is temporary stays becoming permanent, and contract renewals taking place. But for every major story, some moves go unnoticed. Here are a few examples from this week alone.

Moussa Sissoko

From: Nantes

It’s pretty common to see footballers return to their former clubs. Moussa Sissoko is one of them, signing for Watford on a free transfer this summer, after a spell with FC Nantes in Ligue 1. The former Premier League midfield stalwart, who had successful stints with Newcastle and Tottenham, spent a season at Vicarage Road before leaving in July 2022.

Thiago Almada

To: Botafogo

A highly peculiar transfer has seen promising Argentine midfielder Thiago Almada, who lit up MLS with eye-catching performances at Atlanta United, relocate to Brazilian outfit Botafogo. The move is effectively a six-month loan, with a switch to Lyon set for January 2025. Almada was linked with several European clubs last summer and had previously described his playing style as modelled on legendary playmaker Juan Román Riquelme.

Diego Llorente

It’s been a while since Diego Llorente wore a Leeds United shirt, and it won’t be happening anytime soon. After a four-year association, the last two seasons of which were spent on loan at Roma, the former Real Madrid academy graduate has relocated to La Liga with Real Betis, becoming his fifth different Spanish club.

Caleb Okoli

A newly-promoted club being aggressive in the summer transfer window is not a guarantee for staving off relegation, as the goal is to maintain their newfound Premier League status. Leicester City, though, will be hoping Caleb Okoli can add depth to Steve Cooper’s defence with the 22-year-old Italian centre-back joining from Atalanta, where he only made 17 league appearances.

Josep Martínez

Competition for places, in theory, makes a team strong. Josep Martínez arrives looking to usurp Yann Sommer as Inter Milan’s first-choice goalkeeper. The former RB Leipzig shot-stopper, who came through Barcelona’s academy, kept eight clean sheets across 36 appearances at Genoa last season.

Carlos Miguel

Speaking of goalkeepers, look at Carlos Miguel, standing at 6ft 8in, which should place him among the Premier League’s tallest players after joining Nottingham Forest.

The 25-year-old had previously made 25 appearances for Corinthians, registering 14 clean sheets and conceding less than a goal per game.

“My main objective is to become an important member of this team, a giant club in the history of football. I want a place in the museum like the others,” he said after being presented.

Moise Kean

Being on the move has been the story of Moise Kean’s short career. The 24-year-old forward broke through at Juventus before representing three different clubs, including Everton, prior to returning. He has once again waved goodbye to the Old Lady with Fiorentina becoming his new home (à la the reverse Roberto Baggio).

Adrián

An impressive spell at West Ham convinced Liverpool of his ability, but Adrián wouldn’t make it past being Alisson’s understudy. However, the Spaniard held up his end of the bargain whenever called upon. With limited playing time no the cards, Adrián has returned to his hometown club, Real Betis, hoping for a more productive chapter as his career enters its twilight phase.

Charlie Cresswell

It’s more common than you think to see an English player move to France, and Charlie Cresswell (son of Richard) becomes the latest to cross the Channel. Having come through at his boyhood team, Leeds, the 21-year-old has seen limited playing time, and now it felt like the time was right to leave for new pastures.

Ryan Flamingo

After winning the Eredivisie, PSV are not staying idle, especially considering they will likely lose key players who played a significant role in Peter Bosz’s memorable debut season. The Dutch champions have bolstered their midfield by signing Ryan Flamingo, a player who had long been expected to make a big move.