Salah, Neymar, Paulinho and the top 15 transfers of the season so far

Liverpool broke their transfer record to bring the former Chelsea forward back to England from Roma for £36.9 million. Their faith in his ability to make an impact in the Premier League has been handsomely rewarded, with the Egypt international having already passed the 20-goal mark to better the achievements of some former Reds heroes and become a firm fans’ favourite at Anfield.

Arsene Wenger is renowned for his frugal approach to recruitment at Arsenal, but the Frenchman proved that there is plenty of value to be found in the free agent market over the summer. Acquiring a proven performer for no outlay has proved quite the steal, with the versatile Bosnia international making an immediate impact at both ends of the field for the Gunners.

Chelsea’s loss has most definitely been Manchester United’s gain when it comes to the £40 million Serbian midfielder. While the Blues have struggled to cover his departure, the Red Devils have found the perfect option to fill their holding role – with the likes of Paul Pogba among those to have benefitted from the presence of a two-time Premier League title winner.

Eyebrows were raised when Barcelona agreed to pay €40 million for a midfielder who had previously struggled to make his mark in Europe with Tottenham. The Brazil international had, however, rebuilt his career with club and country after leaving England and has been a revelation since arriving in Catalunya from Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande, netting six times and providing two assists.

The Frenchman is a player to have been held in high regard for some time now, but he has never been able to fully unlock his potential. A loan switch from Inter to Valencia appears to have helped him to shake those shackles, with the 24-year-old now eyeing a World Cup spot for next summer as transfer talk once again builds around him – with Tottenham among those said to be keen.

Leaving his native Uruguay for the first time at just 20 years of age could have been considered a big step for the promising striker, but he has taken a €4 million move in his stride to excel in La Liga. He already has seven goals to his name this season, while a proposed lucrative switch to China has been shelved as Celta Vigo stand to continue benefiting from a highly-rated talent.

Having established himself as one of German football’s most exciting young talents, a €25 million move to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2017 came as little surprise. The 22-year-old defender has remained on his upward curve at the Allianz Arena, with a collection of composed and classy performances earning him further senior international recognition and a shot at major titles.

Turning his back on Borussia Dortmund was a bold call by the World Cup-winning centre-half, but his judgement has proved to be correct. Still only 23 years of age, the talented defender has slotted seamlessly into life at Borussia Monchengladbach and can be considered quite the bargain in the current transfer market at just €17 million.

Borussia Dortmund did not know it at the time, but snapping up a promising winger with bags of potential still to be unlocked proved to be something of a masterstroke in June 2017. Two months later Ousmane Dembele was off to Barcelona, Marco Reus and Andre Schurrle were sidelined, but the path was cleared for a new boy to open his debut campaign with six goals and an assist.

Aptly named for a €20 million summer switch to Inter, the Slovakian has taken his game to another level after trading Sampdoria for San Siro. At just 22 years of age, the cultured centre-half has arguably been the top-performing defender in Serie A this season – with his efforts casting shade over some more illustrious counterparts across the Italian top-flight. 

Already a cult hero at Manchester City, the versatile Serbian is now well on his way to achieving similar status at Roma. A snip at just €5 million, past association with arch-rivals Lazio appears to have been forgiven at Stadio Olimpico as the 32-year-old has starred at home and abroad – with another stunning strike for his collection added in a thrilling Champions League clash with Chelsea.

The Slovenian playmaker has already bettered his goal return from the entire 2016-17 campaign in just 20 appearances for Atalanta and should be setting his sights on a personal best. The 29-year-old has starred for a side pushing for another top-six finish in Serie A, while he has excelled in continental competition to help his current club best Lyon and Everton in the Europa League.

Can €222 million ever be considered money well spent? Well, in Neymar’s case, it might well be. Free-spending Paris Saint-Germain had no issue with signing the biggest cheque in the history of football as they knew precisely what they were getting. A money-spinning exercise off the field has delivered rich rewards on it, with the Brazilian already living up to his billing as a Ballon d’Or winner in waiting – even if those pesky Real Madrid rumours refuse to go away.

Even if Paris Saint-Germain had been forced to pay the €180 million due to land the talented teenager up front, that could have been considered a wise investment in a player destined for the top. The fact that he is currently on loan – regardless of your views on the rights and wrongs of FFP management – makes him a steal, with the former Monaco man continuing to dazzle when thrust even further under the spotlight.

Raised at Real Madrid and charged with the task of filling the boots of Alexandre Lacazette in France, Mariano could have been forgiven for feeling the pressure after an €8 million move. The 24-year-old has, however, taken the responsibility in his stride, netting 14 times in just 24 appearances to add his name to a long list of striking talents in Lyon – with his career currently Karim Benzema in reverse.