Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Underrated Transfers of the Window So Far

Underrated transfers

There have been plenty of transfers completed already this summer. Whilst the start of the new season is fast approaching, there will still be many more moves made. Focusing on the here and now and here are some underrated transfers of the window to date from across Europe’s big five leagues.

Underrated Transfers of This Summer Window

Matthias Ginter to Freiburg

Kicking things off in Germany with underrated transfers and there have been a number of busy clubs. Borussia Dortmund are going hell for leather, whether it be Karim Adiyemi or Niklas Sule, but these have all been heavily covered. One team who went above and beyond expectations last term were Freiburg and they’re not resting on their laurels.

After finishing sixth, they have lured experienced German centre-half, Matthias Ginter, away from Borussia Monchengladbach. He returns to his hometown team and arrives on a free, at 28 this is smart all around.

Jordy Siebatcheu to Union Berlin

Former Liverpool man Taiwo Awoniyi has left Union Berlin with Nottingham Forest being his next destination and this in itself could be part of the underrated transfers list. The Nigerian’s departure from the German capital leaves a space up front and USMNT hopeful for this year’s World Cup Jordy Siebatcheu is the man for the job.

Read More: Union Berlin Season Review

He has been particularly prolific in Switzerland for Young Boys both domestically and in European competitions and has certainly earned this step up.

Brais Mendez to Real Sociedad

Flying over to Spain now and there have been few moves outside of Barcelona and Real Madrid. Those that have taken place have been fairly underrated transfers, though. Portu has been loaned out by Real Sociedad to Getafe which is a very savvy pickup. This potentially occurred to allow for the arrival of Brais Mendez at Anoeta.

The attacker has long since been spoken about in and around Celta Vigo but has failed to kick on. A move to La Real, where he’ll feature alongside the likes of Alexander Isak and Mikel Oyarzabal, could be the decisive factor.

Jose Luis Morales to Villarreal

There aren’t many more legendary figures in and around La Liga than departing Levante man Jose Luis Morales. He made nearly 300 appearances in the city of Valencia and at 34, now has a new home following Levante’s relegation to the Segunda Division.

Morales and Roger Marti were keeping them in the top-flight for several years and the former’s free transfer to Villarreal is a fascinating one indeed. It remains to be seen how much he will play but what a coup for the Yellow Submarine.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Napoli

Napoli fell away last term in their pursuit of the two Milan teams. Their Scudetto hopes haven’t been aided by multiple departures. Up front, veteran duo Lorenzo Insigne and Dries Mertens have left Naples, with the former joining Toronto FC in MLS.

Read More: Napoli Season Review

It isn’t all doom and gloom though with one of their potential replacements being part of the underrated transfers. Young Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is highly regarded in his home country, as well as Russia, and at 21, has a hugely impressive goals-to-game ratio.

Matteo Pessina to Monza

AC Monza aren’t famous in the Italian landscape of football but their owner certainly is. Former Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi is at the helm as they enter the top-flight for the first time. This influence is evident in the summer business of the newly-promoted side.

A few of the arrivals are loanees plus Andrea Carboni from Cagliari and Andrea Ranocchia on a free from Inter. Stefano Sensi, also from Inter, is a huge move, as is Atalanta’s Matteo Pessina – two midfielders who have Italian national team caps to their names. Pessina was a part of the squad that won the Euros just last year.

Brice Samba to Lens

Lens went above and beyond expectations last season and the French side aren’t resting on their laurels, similar to Freiburg. Adam Buksa from the New England Revolution is one of their underrated transfers, the Polish striker was a huge part of the Revs’ record-breaking 2021.

Read More: Nottingham Forest Star Will Not Be Signing New Contract

Brice Samba is the man under the microscope though, he played a huge role in Nottingham Forest’s promotion but has still moved on. The goalkeeper played in France prior to joining Forest and so is back on familiar ground.

Wabhi Khazri to Montpellier

Another name that has enjoyed football in both England and France is Tunisian international Wabhi Khazri. The wide-man was with Sunderland in their dark days of Premier League football and has now experienced something similar with another major hitter.

Saint Etienne are a famous name in French football but have just been relegated down to Ligue 2. Due to this, Khazri has moved on to Montpellier, another stalwart of Ligue 1.

Luis Sinisterra to Leeds United 

The Premier League is once again a topic of conversation and there have been a fair few moves. Many of which are headline news, but there are some underrated transfers. Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips are on their way out of Leeds United whilst there are several new faces at Elland Road.

Looking beyond American duo Brendan Aaronson and Tyler Adams, Feyenoord winger Luis Sinisterra is particularly exciting. The Colombian played a key role as the Dutch side got to the final of the Conference League.

Read More: Every Premier League Transfer Completed in Summer 2022

Joe Aribo to Southampton

Finally then, the links between the big two in Scotland continue with Southampton. Several Celtic stars, from Virgil van Dijk to Victor Wanyama, have been snapped up by the Saints. Now it is time for a Rangers player to grace the south coast in the form of Nigerian midfielder Joe Aribo.

He helped Charlton Athletic get promoted to the Championship before being snapped up by Steven Gerrard. Like with Sinisterra, his side were runners-up in a European competition last term and Aribo brings a lot of finesse and talent to the table.

Jamie Rooke

Jamie Rooke

Jamie is currently studying sports journalism at UCFB Wembley. As well as writing for the European site, he covers the New England Revolution for Last Word on Soccer. He is a Plymouth Argyle fan and watches a variety of leagues, including MLS, WSL, EFL, Serie A and La Liga. Other sports he enjoys include F1, boxing and basketball.

Share:

More Posts