JAKARTA - "Wow!" We need no other words to describe the transfer windows of European clubs in the summer of 21/22. Dramatic. Dynamic. Full of surprise. Many are like dreams because they happen in a short time, without being marked by rumors. This transfer window is also interesting because the money is spinning in the midst of the increasingly destructive COVID-19 pandemic. Let's review.
The German Bundesliga has officially closed the transfer window on Tuesday, August 31, at 23.00 WIB. The transfer market for Italian Serie A players closes September 1, at 01.00 WIB. A few hours later, England and Spain both closed their player shopping activities at 05.00 WIB. There were at least three big surprises in the final seconds of the transfer window.
We call this a surprise because it happens in a short time and is never really predictable. Antoine Griezmann, for example, who returned to his old club Atletico Madrid from Barcelona. Indeed, the news of Griezmann's return to Diego Simeone's squad had surfaced after Euro 2020. It is said that Griezmann will be exchanged for Saul Niguez.
But Simeone himself denied the news. When confirmed by the media, Simeone actually said his prayer for Griezmann's success at Barcelona. Many analysts have cited Griezmann's return as an effect of Saul's successful transfer to Chelsea. H-1 before the close of the transfer window, Atletico blocked the transfer of Saul. Griezmann's return is getting further and further away.
But insistent Chelsea finally managed to complete a loan deal for Saul for 5 million euros, with an option to buy 40 million euros in 2022. Saul's move reopened Griezmann's transfer opportunities. Like Saul, Griezmann is on a season-long loan, with a permanent option at the end of the league.
The transfer of these two players creates a domino effect. Barcelona brought in Luuk De Jong from Sevilla to fill the front line left by Griezmann. This transfer is surprising. The Dutch striker has never once been linked with Barcelona. But the transfer of De Jong seems to be satisfying the manager, Ronald Koeman. "If it ain't Dutch, it ain't much," said Barca fans.
Dramatic transferMoving away from deadline day, another big surprise happened first. Involving the two biggest names of football players today, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi finally left Barcelona after 17 years of career with the senior team. He anchored at Paris Saint Germain (PSG), on a free transfer after failing to extend his contract with La Blaugrana.
At PSG, Messi signed a contract until June 2023, with the option of a one-year extension. PSG pay Messi 35 million euros or around Rp. 590.2 billion per season. Messi's transfer is quite dramatic. Messi has long been in doubt about his future at Camp Nou. Obviously, he loves the club that raised him. But many things weigh on Messi.
Messi's confusion at Barcelona has been smelled for a long time. A number of media reported that Messi's intention to leave peaked in March 2020, precisely when Barcelona were massacred 2-8 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Another thing that makes Messi uncomfortable is his internal conflict with Club President Josep Maria Bartomeu. In the end, Messi's confusion about Bartomeu was over.
Bartomeu resigned from the club. But improving the situation does not mean clarity for Messi's future. Barcelona failed to extend Messi's contract due to structural and financial problems regarding the Spanish La Liga rules. The club's official website announced the matter. Messi himself revealed his sadness had to leave the club he loved.
"I did want to go first. But not now. I did not expect this. I am very sad to say goodbye," said Messi speaking in front of the whole club in tears.
From the City of Turin, the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo suddenly happened. After asking Juventus to sell him to England, a number of clubs immediately joined the hunt for Ronaldo's signature. The Portuguese star has been closely linked with Manchester City. But the transfer failed. Manchester United, Ronaldo's old club suddenly cornered City. There are some rumors behind this.
First, City are reportedly not willing to pay the 25 million euros set by Juventus. Second, Ronaldo's meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson, the coach who brought Ronaldo to Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon in 2003, when the striker was 18 years old. Another rumor is about City manager Pep Guardiola's curt statement.
Quoted by La Repubblica, Guardiola made a statement that supposedly offended Ronaldo. At a press conference, Guardiola was asked about Ronaldo's role at City and how he would improve his relationship with Ronaldo. The two don't get along. Rooted when Pep was in charge of Barcelona and Ronaldo became a Real Madrid player.
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