This summer transfer window has produced a flurry of surprises and we could see more before it ends in a few weeks. There have been a lot of big transfers this summer and a large number of clubs have spent a lot of money strengthening their squads. What are you waiting for, let's list together the Top 5 most unexpected transfers in the summer of 2023.
1/ Neymar to Al Hilal
Due to persistent injuries and poor form, Neymar began to become a burden for Paris Saint-Germain. This summer seems to be the right time for PSG to cash in on the player who cost them a whopping €222 million fee in 2017. Neymar is linked with many of Europe's top clubs.
However, due to the salary requirements and the fact that the superstar is now 31 years old and prone to injuries, he is no longer a player who offers exciting prospects for top clubs across the continent. But at 31, a move to Saudi Arabia is still a bit premature for Neymar with him still a player who can produce incredible performances on his sublime day.
However, the Brazilian player agreed to receive a good salary and chose a less competitive environment than the Saudi Pro League to the surprise of football fans. The €90 million is only a fraction of the fortune that club PSG spent to sign him in 2017 but it is still something of a surprise.
2/ Oriol Romeu to Barcelona
Oriol Romeu played in Southampton's midfield for the 2021-22 season before moving on to La Liga side Girona for the 2022-23 campaign. He is certainly a very efficient and versatile midfielder, but hardly anyone would have predicted that a move to Barcelona would benefit the player.
Not only did Romeu impress Girona last season, but he is no stranger to Barcelona, having spent seven years with the youth team there. Although Barca are the most suitable team, signing Romeu for 8 million euros to fill the void left by Sergio Busquets seems quite unusual. If Barca had more money, they would not have signed the 31-year-old defensive midfielder.
3/ Ruben Neves to Al Hilal
Ruben Neves is 26 years old and in his prime. He was forecast to almost certainly leave Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer. According to many sources, the Portuguese midfielder has been linked with European giants such as Barcelona, Manchester United and Liverpool.
That's why Neves' move to Al Hilal was such a shock. The star has been the type of player who has been able to coordinate games from midfield over the past few years. After years of hard work at Wolves, it seems like the right time for Neves to step up.
4/ Kepa Arrizabalaga -Real Madrid
Kepa Arrizabalaga's time at Chelsea has been littered with mishaps, mistakes and failing to deserve the status of the world's most expensive goalkeeper. Following the departure of Edouard Mendy, Kepa can be expected to regain his position as the club's No 1 goalkeeper. But those hopes were dashed following the arrival of Robert Sanchez from Brighton & Hove Albion in the first week of August.
Elsewhere, Thibaut Courtois, considered by many to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world, suffered a heel injury that forced Real Madrid to find a new keeper. With David de Gea available on a free transfer, Los Blancos are believed to have finally shaken hands with a goalkeeper they once coveted.
However, the Madrid side opted to sign Kepa on loan instead. The Chelsea goalkeeper has barely shown consistent form over the years and signing him is a gamble for a club as big as Real Madrid.
5/ Wataru Endo -Liverpool
Liverpool had to be hot-tempered when this team's effort to recruit Moises Caicedo not only brought no results but also made them miss Romeo Lavia. The Anfield team desperately need to sign a new defensive midfielder and time is running out. Looks like they were forced to find a temporary solution while waiting for a bigger contract.
According to the Guardian, Liverpool have reached an agreement worth 18 million euros for VfB Stuttgart defensive midfielder Wataru Endo. The Japanese player will undergo a medical in the middle of last week and will also be announced as a Liverpool player later. Endo is 30 years old this year and is a far cry from the goals The Kop followed in the early summer. As such, this deal came as a surprise.