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The global football market remains more interested than ever in African players. Despite the fragile economic context, their rating has not declined in the global talent market. On the contrary, if we are to believe the sums disbursed by certain clubs.
Thus, Arsenal did not hesitate to bring in the Ghanaian Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid for 50 million euros, Aston Villa the Burkinabé Bertrand Traoré (Lyon) for 18 million euros, and even a club like Strasbourg, who is not one of the wealthiest in France, offered 10 million euros to attract the Senegalese Habib Diallo (Metz). These transfers concern players who are often young, and therefore likely to allow, in the short or medium term, the acquiring clubs to realize a nice added value during a next resale.
In theory, the summer transfer window ends on August 31 at midnight in most countries. But the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to the interruption or permanent cessation of all championships in the world, has forced FIFA to change the rules, and stretch it until October 5. Already five transfers are reshaping the landscape.
- Alfred Gomis (Senegal), from Dijon to Rennes for 25 million euros
Who better to replace Edouard Mendy (28) than Alfred Gomis (27)? Two players with almost interchangeable silhouettes! If the first is 1.96 m and weighs 83 kg, the second is two centimeters more and three more kilos. Edouard Mendy packed his bags for Chelsea (England), allowing Stade Rennes to pocket 25 million euros.
In his place, the current leader of Ligue 1 qualified for the Champions League has recruited for 16 million euros in Dijon a player born in Senegal, who grew up in Italy, where he was trained and started his professional career. . Dijon had brought him in 2019 for 1 million euros. This transfer therefore allows the Dijonais to post the best financial operation of the transfer window. Julien Stephan, the Rennes coach, was looking for a leader and thinks he has found him with this goalkeeper known to make very few mistakes.
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), from Real Madrid to Inter Milan for 40 million euros
The first Moroccan player to play at Real Madrid, Achraf Hakimi (21) has nevertheless left Spain where he was born. He has just taken over the management of Inter Milan, who did not hesitate to pay 40 million euros to acquire him. Achraf Hakimi, who has a privileged relationship with Zinédine Zidane, the Madrid coach, is the very prototype of the modern defender: offensive, and therefore capable of playing midfielder, even as a scorer on occasion. Zinedine Zidane adores him, but to avoid him being subjected to too much competition at Real Madrid, Achraf Hakimi had been loaned two years to Borussia Dortmund.
In Milan, where he will receive an annual salary of 5 million euros, Achraf Hakimi did not miss his debut in a team that has long turned its back on defensive football. The player is also very popular in Morocco, especially with young people. His decision to opt without hesitation for his country of origin rather than for Spain, of which he also holds the nationality, at only 17 years old, worked in his favor.
- Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) from Lille to Naples against 81 million euros
One year in Lille and eighteen goals! The reputation of a technical player, altruistic, comfortable in the air and hardworking, Victor Osimhen convinced Naples to transfer 81.3 million euros to the account of the French club. At 21, the Nigerian will receive 5 million euros annually. Gennaro Gattuso, the Neapolitan coach, already under the spell of his new recruit, believes that“He has charisma, is intelligent and has values, because he has not forgotten his origins”.
Motherless, the kid sold bottles of water in Lagos to survive. Passing to Naples, this regular of challenges will have to manage his arrival, but he seems armed for.
- Amad Traoré (Ivory Coast) on his way to Manchester against 40 million euros
Very followed by English recruiters, Amad Traoré finally joined Manchester United for 25 million euros, plus 15 million bonus. If the investment remains high, even for a club which is one of the richest in the world, it is because the young Ivorian aligns the qualities.
Lively, altruistic, technical, inventive and punctually a good scorer. In short, everything we ask of an offensive player. Amad Traoré, who will join England once his work permit is in his pocket, responds more to a logic of the future than to the needs of the moment. Papu Gomez, his former captain at Atalanta Bergamo, does not he appear against Lionel Messi?
- Jackson Muleka (DR Congo), from the DRC to Belgium for 2 million euros
Business-savvy Moïse Katumbi turned down an offer of 5 million euros from the Egyptians of Pyramids FC, ready to do a little madness to attract his striker Jackson Muleka (21). The Ravens president just didn’t want to bolster a potential rival on the African stage.
The ex-striker of TM Mazembe finally took the direction of Belgium, in exchange for a sum close to 2 million euros, but with a percentage of 40% on resale. This transfer to Belgium is part of a long line including Dieumerci Mbokani and Christian Luyindama both graduated from TPM in Liège, before finding a place in more upscale clubs. Jackson Muleka has already found two compatriots (Merveille Bopé and John Nekadio) and his debut is quite promising.
