Seven transfers we're excited about

Now that the dust has settled on the transfer window, we did a sweep of the ever-changing market to see where the best deals took place. Of course, there were the usual big money deals exchanged between the world’s super powers, but you know about that already. These are the transfers to really get excited about, players you will want to keep an eye on throughout the season.

Pablo Sarabia, PSG

Pablo Sarabia has been quietly registering world-class numbers in his time in Spain. He may not be a household name like those he’s competing with in the playmaker charts, but he’s an exciting player. Only he and a certain little Argentine hit double figures in both goals and assists last season.

His move to PSG is certainly deserved and a very shrewd bit of business. The French champions don’t lack firepower going forward, but it could be said that they’ve fallen short in the middle of the park, leaving them to rely on magic from their generational talents.

Sarabia can bring composure to that number 10 spot, consistently picking the right pass in games where they struggle to break down those who have came to park the bus.

Notable attributes: Technique, Flair, First Touch, Agility.

Kevin Mbabu, Wolfsburg 

Kevin Mbabu has long been a promising talent. As a youngster, he was tipped for big things, but his move to the English top-flight oddly didn’t go to plan, which meant that the right back has spent the last two seasons in Switzerland. Growing, developing and winning titles.

His performances there, in Europe and for his national team have shown why he was such hot property years ago and how he still has room to improve his game. Now 24, his move to Wolfsburg has come at a perfect time, mature and incredibly athletic, Mbabu can go both ways at full-back and will add to their exciting roster.

Notable attributes: Stamina, Work Rate, Tackling.

Quincy Promes, Ajax 

The lightning-quick winger has had an unusual career path to date. Starting in his native Holland he was picked up by Spartak Moscow in 2014 where he spent four years, scoring goals, winning trophies and personal accolades. With 36 Holland caps, Promes is used to the big stage and earned a move to the Spanish top flight in 2018, but, a disappointing season has seen him return to Holland with Ajax.

Comfortable playing anywhere behind the striker, or as a lone front man himself, Promes will add a more direct threat, a valuable alternative to the creative, unorthodox styles of Tadic and Ziyech. In what will be another competitive campaign in the Eredivisie, Promes could be the difference-maker when it comes to defending the title.

Notable Attributes: Pace, Determination, Flair, Off The Ball.

Ozan Kabak, Schalke

Ozan Kabak was profiled by us and Scouted Football in March this year when the Turkish defender moved to the Bundesliga with something of a wonderkid status. Despite Stuttgart’s relegation via the play-offs he thoroughly impressed in his 15 top-flight appearances, scoring three goals in the process.

Kabak has stayed in the Bundesliga’s top flight through a move to Schalke, further evidence of the strong start he made in Germany. There he’ll work under David Wagner for one of the nation’s largest sides who’ll be looking to forget about the poor finish last season, finishing 14th. At 19 years old Kabak can only improve further as he earns international caps and gets more domestic minutes under his belt.

Notable Attributes: Strength, Bravery, Balance, Marking.

Christopher Nkunku, RB Leipzig

Raised through Paris Saint-Germain’s youth system, Nkunku made his first-team debut in 2015 at just 18 years of age. Since then he’s featured sparingly, often coming off the bench to add fresh legs in central midfield.

Now 21, Nkunku needs a new challenge at a club who can promise more game time, that’s why his move to RB Leipzig is so exciting. Obsessed with collating and developing youngsters, Leipzig seem to have done it again as they add the France U21 international to their ranks. On paper at least, Nkunku could form a mouth-watering partnership with Amadou Haidara, another astounding Bundesliga prospect.

Notable Attributes: Passing, Agility, Stamina, Technique. 

Edmilison Fernandes, Mainz

At just 23 years of age Fernandes has played all over the park, all over Europe and is now arriving in Germany, entering his fourth different league in four seasons. It’s clear that the midfielder just needs to settle, in need of a home after a challenging move to England. He should find that in Mainz who are coming off the back of an unimpressive mid-table finish last campaign.

Fernandes has played across the midfield in his career, but is most comfortable in the centre, controlling the tempo and bursting between boxes as he did for Fiorentina last season. Like Nkunku, he will certainly grow with game time, adding experience to his ridiculous level of natural and physical ability.

Notable Attributes: Stamina, Technique, Passing, Long Shots.

Predrag Rajkovic, Reims

We couldn’t complete this segment without the mention of Rajkovic. The FM wonderkid and go-to signing has finally got a move to a ‘top’ league. It’s a clever move too, to a competitive division with a team who’ll give him the chance to play, improve and impress. Unfortunately, you might need to scout a different keeper from now on…

Notable Attributes: Bravery, Positioning, Command Of Area, Reflexes.