The summer transfer market is in full swing, as sides across Europe’s top football leagues look to strengthen their squads ahead of the new season. The 2024/25 campaign comes with plenty of intrigue, with the new Champions League format adding an extra layer of unpredictability to sports betting in its early stages.
Due to their busier schedules, clubs will be looking to add depth, with several big transfers taking place so far across the continent.
With that in mind, we take a look at three of the biggest summer transfers in Europe so far.
Kylian Mbappé – Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid
The biggest move of the summer will come as little surprise to football fans across the world, as Kylian Mbappé made the inevitable switch from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti looked to bring the French World Cup winner to the Spanish capital back in 2022, when Los Blancos bid over £100 million for the striker. However, PSG declined the transfer and Mbappé would have to wait for his deal to end at the Parc des Princes.
The 25-year-old scored 44 goals last season despite being phased out of the side by Luis Enrique, as PSG cruised to another Ligue 1 title win.
Following his stadium announcement, witnessed by the thousands inside the Santiago Bernabéu, Mbappé adds further pace and dynamism to the current Champions League holders, as he looks to win Europe’s biggest club competition for the first time.
Douglas Luiz – Aston Villa to Juventus
Even though Aston Villa managed to secure a fourth-place finish in the Premier League last season, it wasn’t enough for Unai Emery to keep one of his prized assets in Douglas Luiz, with the midfielder joining Juventus ahead of the new campaign.
The Brazilian, who was invaluable for Villa as they secured Champions League football for the first time since 1982, contributed nine goals and five assists last term, with new Juventus manager Thiago Motta making Luiz his first signing since arriving in Turin.
The deal is complicated in terms of fee. The Old Lady paid Villa £45 million for the 26-year-old, but also included two Juve players, Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea, who join Villa on five-year deals.
Aston Villa have spent over £170m already this summer, including a club record fee of £50m on Amadou Onana — with the Everton midfielder looking to be a ready-made replacement for Luiz.
Michael Olise – Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich
Crystal Palace played some wonderful football at the back end of last season, with Oliver Glasner impressing many with his attacking style of play.
The Austrian orchestrated wins over the likes of Liverpool and West Ham United, with a front line spearheaded by talented winger Michael Olise.
Olise, who narrowly missed out on a place in Didier Deschamps’ France squad for Euro 2024, attracted the interest of Bayern Munich, who signed him for a reported £50 million as part of their rebuild under Vincent Kompany. Bayern had initially approached Glasner for the job, but when the 49-year-old rejected a move to the Allianz Arena, they instead pursued Olise’s signature.
Bayern’s decade-long reign at the top of German football came to an end last season when Bayer Leverkusen cruised to an undefeated Bundesliga title, however, the signing of Olise allows the Bavarians to compete for the title once again.
Alongside former Premier League stars Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry, and Harry Kane, Bayern have an attacking front line that will look to compete domestically and in Europe, giving Olise his first taste of Champions League football, which was a big influence in his decision to leave Selhurst Park.