New Season, New Faces

Following a very entertaining European Championship, Copa América, and Olympics, club soccer is finally back for the 2024-25 season and the biggest teams in Europe have already invested in some serious signings to accomplish their grand goals this year. From superstar forward Kylian Mbappé’s blockbuster move to UCL winners Real Madrid to Chelsea’s mass purchase of nine players and total of 43 players on their squad with an astonishing seven goalies, this summer transfer window is set to become one of the most memorable in recent memory. The Spectator is here to cover it all.

Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid

Arguably the best soccer player in the world, French superstar Mbappé has always been linked with a move to the greatest club in the world, Real Madrid, ever since his breakthrough year at AS Monaco in 2017. But for one reason or another, Mbappé ended up staying at his hometown team Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for seven seasons. He has since made himself the face of soccer with countless individual records and trophies, including a World Cup with France. However, one prestigious accolade has always evaded the world-class forward: the UEFA Champions League. Though not for lack of trying, Mbappé has never been able to call himself a European champion despite several close attempts. PSG came in second place in the 2020 final, and while he was part of a trident with legends Neymar Jr. and Lionel Messi, Mbappé’s team did not even get past the round of 16 in 2022 or 2023. Last season was the last straw, as PSG went to the semi-finals only to be beaten by underdogs Borussia Dortmund. Shortly after, Mbappé announced to the world that it would be his final year with the Parisian side.

Two days after winning their 15th Champions League, Spanish juggernauts Real Madrid signed Mbappé for a five-year contract with an amazing free transfer fee as he was no longer contracted to PSG. Mbappé joined a star-studded team that includes players like attacking midfielder Jude Bellingham and left winger Vinícius Júnior. There will certainly be questions as to how the Frenchman will adapt to a more competitive league in a team filled with egos, but it seems he has already adjusted well. The forward won his first European title ever after scoring the second goal in a 2-0 win over Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup, and it is virtually inevitable that he will finally add the Champions League to his legacy.

Leny Yoro to Manchester United

Last season, English giants Manchester United wound up in their worst-ever finish to a Premier League campaign as they floundered to a disastrous eighth place by the end of the season. One of the main reasons for this major disappointment was their horrible defending as the team managed to accrue a -1 goal differential. After acquiring new sporting management under businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS Group conglomerate, the Red Devils now aim to write their wrongs and regain their position as the best team in England. 

It would not take long for INEOS to show their intentions as they quickly signed French talent Leny Yoro. Standing at 6’3” and having great game intelligence, the 18-year-old center-back became one of the best players on the French team Lille last season, helping them place fourth in the league and qualify for the Champions League qualifying playoffs. Yoro is now widely considered among the best defensive prospects in world soccer and was even linked with a move to Real Madrid at such a young age. However, INEOS’s decisiveness allowed United to hijack the deal and snap up the Frenchman for €62 million, making Yoro one of the most expensive center-backs in history. Alongside Yoro, the Manchester club have also purchased the services of talented striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, as well as center-back Matthijs de Ligt and fullback Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich for more defensive depth. 

Julián Alvarez to Atlético Madrid

Following the world-breaking transfer of Mbappé to Real Madrid, it was up to the rest of Spain to find a way to catch up if they wanted to remain competitive in La Liga. Though frequently overshadowed by their city rivals, Atlético Madrid has been quietly conducting some great transfers to solidify their case as an outside candidate for the kings of Spain. Chief amongst these was the €95 million signing of Argentine striker Julián Alvarez from Premier League champions Manchester City. Alvarez is a highly versatile forward capable of playing almost any attacking position and is already used to playing in the two-striker attack employed by Atlético from his days with River Plate in Argentina. This experience combined with the winner’s mentality he brings, Alvarez seems like the perfect player to take Atlético to the next level. 

Aside from the Argentine, Atlético also signed his potential striker partner in the form of Alexander Sørloth from Villarreal. A 6’5” goal machine whose playstyle is very similar to that of his Norwegian compatriot and Alvarez’s former teammate Erling Haaland, Sørloth managed to score an impressive 23 goals last season for Villarreal. The Norwegian target-man then backed up his big move with a debut goal this year and already looks like a great replacement for the departing Álvaro Morata. Atlético have not neglected their defense either, as they signed center-back Robin Le Normand from Real Sociedad for €34.5 million, who was brilliant in the Spanish defense that won the Euros. Then in midfield, young Englishman Conor Gallagher was signed from Chelsea for €42 million to bring some fresh legs to Atlético’s aging squad and help control the game. All in all, Atlético now looks like a rejuvenated team, and it would not be surprising if they upset the stranglehold that Real Madrid and Barcelona have had over Spain in recent years.