Top 5 transfers of the 2015 summer so far
The football transfer window has officially opened in Europe and with all clubs targeting potential signings, some have already confirmed deals and brought in their respective targets. While most transfers are not confirmed until July 1, terms are usually agreed between the player and the respective clubs (unless he is a free agent moving on a Bosman transfer).We take a look at the top five signings of the summer so far who could have a major impact on their new teams in the coming season.
#1 Roberto Firmino - Liverpool
Liverpool have made six new signings so far, but their fifth signing is being touted as the most important of the summer. Critics and fans have been singing praises of their new signing Roberto Firmino who has had a meteoric rise to stardom in recent years.
The Reds signed signed Firmino in a £29 million deal from German club Hoffenheim, making him their second most expensive signing in the club’s history, after having acquired Andy Carroll from Newcastle United for £35 million in 2011.
Firmino came into the spotlight during his five-year stay with Hoffenheim, with whom he joined in 2010. The 2013/14 season with the club was his most productive one till date as he was named Bundesliga’s Breakthrough Player of the Season. He scored an impressive 22 goals in 37 appearances for the club during that campaign.
He carried his form onto the next season and had another inspiring campaign, netting 7 goals and dishing out 10 assists, as the German club finished 8th in the Bundesliga. The Brazilian made his international debut for his country in November 2014 and recently played for the Selecao at Copa America 2015.
The 22-year-old is known for his dribbling and accurate passing and he is most effective as a central attacking midfielder. It will be interesting to see how he gels with Philippe Coutinho who has similar attributes to that of the former Hoffenheim star.
In order to get the most out of his strikers, who disappointed in front of goal last campaign, Brendan Rodgers might in all probability play both Firmino and Coutinho in the attacking midfield positions, with one of them occupying the wings and the other playing through the middle.
Firmino’s versatility can also come good for his new club as he can play as a striker giving Brendan Rodgers more options up front if any of his strikers underperform.