Some of Africa’s best talents have joined new clubs this summer.
As we approach the deadline day of the 2022 summer transfer window, let’s review some of the biggest moves involving African stars.
The list will be updated until the transfer window’s deadline on September 1.
5- Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin to Nottingham Forest – €20.9m)
Awoniyi’s move might not have gotten the same attention as the other players on our list, but it marked the arrival of one of Africa’s top attacking talents in the Premier League.
Following an incredible season at Union Berlin, the former Liverpool striker secured a move back to the EPL to play for Nottingham Forest.
The newly-promoted side have paired the Super Eagles star with Jesse Lingard in their front line. Having scored in his second game for Forest, Awoniyi hopes to become his side’s main source of goals this season.
4- Yves Bissouma (Brighton to Tottenham – €29.9m)
Bissouma had a year left on his Brighton contract when he decided to move to north London to continue his career.
The 25-year-old established himself as a reliable option in the Seagulls’ midfield since arriving at the club in 2018. Last season, he made 26 appearances for Graham Potter’s side, delivering three assists.
The Mali international provides Antonio Conte with another versatile midfielder in his squad.
The Italian manager has used Bissouma in his side’s first two EPL games of the season, substituting him with Rodrigo Bentancur, who seems to be his direct rival for a place in Tottenham’s lineup.
3- Franck Kessie (AC Milan to Barcelona – FREE)
Kessie was one of the first players to join Barcelona in their busy summer transfer window.
The Ivorian star played a crucial role in AC Milan’s Scudetto-winning run last season. But, the Rossoneri failed to tie him down to a new contract.
A free move to Cam Nou has seen Kessie joining the likes of Pedri, Gavi, Sergio Busquets, and Frenkie de Jong in Barca’s midfield.
As a highly-physical central midfielder, Kessie is not similar to any other one of Xavi’s midfield options. However, it seems the Catalans are planning to integrate him into their squad as Busquets’ successor.
2- Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli to Chelsea – €40m)
Napoli had managed to fend off a number of Koulibaly’s suitors in recent seasons. But, they finally allowed his departure when Chelsea’s €40m offer arrived last month.
Having seen Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen leave Stamford Bridge earlier this summer, Chelsea had no choice but to sign a world-class centre-back.
Barcelona-signed Jules Kounde was their first choice for the position. However, Koulibaly’s solid start under Thomas Tuchel has left little room for regret among Chelsea fans.
1- Sadio Mane (Liverpool to Bayern Munich – €32m)
Mane’s move to Bayern Munich was one of the biggest Premier League departures of this summer.
A glorious six-year spell at Anfield saw Mane establish himself as one of the best forwards in European football.
The Reds have added Darwin Nunez to their squad to cope with Mane’s exit.
However, their poor performances in the first two matchdays of the new season have convinced many observers that Mane’s absence has left gaps in their forward line.
Meanwhile, Bayern hope to cover for Robert Lewandowski’s departure by adding Mane to their star-studded attacking unit.
The Senegal international will play alongside the likes of Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman, Sadio Mane, and Jamal Musiala as Julian Nagelsmann hopes to find his post-Lewandowski formation at Bayern.
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