While we are only a month into this summer's transfer window, there has already been some major deals to catch the headlines across Europe, as sides look to secure their next superstar heading into next season.
In a market still hugely affected by the economic hit of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more crucial than ever that clubs get their recruitment right, with the risk of blowing a reduced transfer budget on the wrong player.
However, some clubs have already managed to take advantage of the changed landscape and benefit from signing new stars at a cut price, just as you can benefit from the great offers and bonuses available on Virgin Bet.
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Aston Villa sent a message out to the rest of the Premier League at the beginning of June, as they captured the signature of sought-after Norwich City winger Emiliano Buendia, who had just won promotion back to the top flight with the Canaries.
The Argentinian lit up the Championship last season, hitting an eye-catching tally of 15 goals and 17 assists in 39 league appearances as the Norfolk outfit lifted the trophy with 97 points to make an immediate return to the top flight. Buendia is not an unproven entity in the Premier League either, having recorded seven assists alongside a goal in limited minutes in their 20219/20 campaign, and stood out as arguably their best player despite being rotated for the majority of the season.
He joins an exciting attacking line featuring talismanic captain Jack Grealish and striker Ollie Watkins, who hit 14 goals in 37 appearances in his first season in the top flight, while the former Norwich man will also be pushed by winger Bertrand Traore, who had an impressive debut campaign of his own last year netting seven league goals.
With this latest capture, the Villains have set themselves up for another top-six bid this season, while it could be much more sustained with a strong addition, and Buendia will more than justify his price tag if he helps to bring European football back to Villa Park.
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Despite breaking into the Chelsea starting XI early in Frank Lampard's tenure during the 2019/20 season, it did not take long for young centre-back Fikayo Tomori to slip down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, quickly falling behind Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zouma and Cesar Azpilicueta, while the arrival of experienced defender Thiago Silva last summer appeared to be the final nail in the coffin.
That triggered a loan move to AC Milan last season, with the English prospect deemed surplus to requirements at the Blues at that time, and he proved to be a crucial player in a resurgent Rossoneri outfit, as they mounted a title challenge before eventually finishing in second place. It was in the second half of the season when Tomori's form really picked up, putting consistent performances in alongside captain Simon Kjaer as they finished as one of the league's tightest back lines.
The Milan outfit wasted no time at the beginning of the window in making the deal permanent, and Tomori, still at the age of just 23, is expected to continue to thrive in the Italian top flight, having hugely boosted his profile last year, potentially leaving Chelsea to regret their decision not to persist with the Canadian-born defender in years to come.
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Having broken into the AC Milan first team at the age of just 16, while featuring for Italy at 17 years old, Gianluigi Donnarumma seems to be older than his years, but at the age of just 22, the goalkeeper is arguably yet to reach the peak of his powers.
After making over 250 appearances for the Milan outfit, Donnarumma came to the end of his contract this summer, and did not agree a new deal with the club, leaving as a free agent at the beginning of July as a result.
An impressive final season with the Rossoneri and a strong series of performances in Italy's Euro 2020 campaign has drawn more attention, and Paris Saint-Germain have been quick to swoop. Although the French giants are yet to officially announce their new stopper, the confirmation is supposedly imminent, as they look to have hugely boosted their bid for a Champions League title by capturing one of the world's elite goalkeepers, at the age of just 22, on a free transfer.
