Top 10 best football transfers of 2024

Ever since the world of football was introduced to a plethora of money, fans have witnessed some crazy high-value deals. The year 2024 proved to be no exception. The football world witnessed remarkable deals that captured global attention and made headlines, some were ultimately overshadowed by failures, while others were genuinely celebrated.

This year saw numerous big deals, including the highly anticipated transfer of Kylian Mbappe to his childhood club, Real Madrid CF, following four seasons of speculation. Additionally, several players were acquired by the new American ownership of Chelsea. 2024 may not have set a new all-time transfer record, yet it garnered all attention due to both expected and unexpected deals.

On that note, let’s take a look at the best football transfers of 2024

10. João Neves (PSG)

The 20-year-old was acquired for a substantial fee from Benfica during the summer transfer window. This deal is undoubtedly among the most significant achievements of the Luis Enrique tenure at Paris Saint-Germain. The decision to pay such a fee for the Portuguese player initially drew considerable skepticism. However, it now appears that he is indeed worth the investment.

Despite playing as a defensive midfielder, he has contributed to 22% of the team goals in Ligue 1. He has been involved in 80% of the club's minutes in both the French top division and the Champions League this season, which appears to be a promising indicator for his future at such a young age.

9. Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)

The right-wing player, who is said to have been acquired from Crystal Palace for €53 million, is undoubtedly among Bayern Munich's best signings in recent seasons, alongside Harry Kane. He has so far appeared in only 14 games in the Bundesliga, but has contributed 10 goals. His remarkable speed and exceptional abilities have captivated the fans. 

If he continues to maintain this level of performance, trophies are likely to pour into Bayern Munich's collection. The 22-year-old has entered into a contract that extends until 2029, and he appears to justify the transfer fee that Bayern Munich invested in him, a figure which the German giants usually don’t prefer spending.

8. Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United)

Manchester United may have struggled with their transfer dealings in recent seasons however, acquiring this prominent defender was certainly a wise decision. Numerous individuals, including esteemed figures in the sport, expressed their disapproval of this decision at the time it was made but the 27-year-old is now demonstrating that those detractors were mistaken.

He wasn’t expected to start, but owing to other player injuries, he got to play in every game of the EPL 2024-25. After encountering some initial challenges, he has established himself as the top performer in the United defense. At just 15 million Euros, he undoubtedly appears to be a valuable acquisition and one of the club's most significant signings in recent years.

7. Mason Greenwood (Marseille)

The previous year proved to be extremely challenging for Mason Greenwood, as he faced allegations of domestic and sexual violence made by his girlfriend. After facing these allegations, he was banned by Manchester United. Many believed that the young player's career had come to an end.

But, this summer, he took a tough challenge by joining Ligue 1 club Marseille, a decision that undoubtedly stands as the most advantageous in his football career. Since his joining, he has struck 10 goals and two assists in 15 league matches. He currently ranks as the leading scorer in the French top division, trailing only Bradley Barcola and Jonathan David.

6. Dani Olmo (FC Barcelona)

The acquisition of Dani Olmo represented another critical call, as FC Barcelona made a substantial investment in him despite the ongoing challenges posed by LaLiga's Financial Fair Play regulations. He was signed after an impressive Euro 2024 performance with Spain, but his injury-prone nature gave many doubts.  In order to accommodate his registration, Barcelona had to part ways with several players.

His inclusion now appears to be one of the most astute decisions. He is a multifaceted player who adds value both as a winger and as an attacking midfielder. He has played a key role in his club's success this season, despite being sidelined for a period due to registration complications and a muscle injury.

5. Scott McTominay (Napoli)

Another sale by Manchester United, this time to SSC Napoli just proved to be fine in the Serie A after he left. The central midfielder has played in 11 league matches, contributing to Napoli's achievement of securing the first position on each occasion.

Despite being a midfielder, he hails six goal contributions in 13 games and has featured in nearly 85% of the teams’ minutes in the league. He is proving to be the ideal midfielder in Antonio Conte’s system.

4. Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)

A lot of controversies arose between Napoli and Osimhen, culminating in a contentious exit. To exacerbate the situation for the player, he found himself without the interest of elite clubs and ultimately had to agree to a loan deal with the Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray.

This decision, however, turned out to be a hidden blessing. Currently, he has 10 goal contributions in nine Super Lig matches, and in the UEFA Europa League, he has also excelled with five goal contributions in four games.

3. Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli)

The Italian centre-back may not have been widely recognized when he transferred from Torino to Napoli this summer. His acquisition for an impressive €35 million surprised many observers, but it appears that the rationale behind this investment has now become clear.

He has distinguished himself as one of the top players in Serie A, effortlessly executing clean tackles and flawless interceptions. Following his absence from the first match due to an ankle sprain, he has played in every subsequent game and has been a pivotal factor in the club's outstanding defensive performance in the league. His contract is set to expire in 2029.

2. Julián Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)

Manchester City faced a challenging decision regarding their striking options, as it was not feasible to provide sufficient playing time for both Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez. Consequently, the club opted to transfer Alvarez. The highly productive Argentine striker was acquired by Atletico de Madrid for an impressive sum of €75 million, a figure that now appears to be quite reasonable.

He is demonstrating his value at his new club, with seven goal contributions in the league and three goals in five Champions League matches. Numbers may appear to be slightly above average but it is important to be noted that he has not played the full duration of matches. Additionally, scoring crucial goals while operating within Diego Simeone’s defensive strategy is a big achievement.

1. Romelu Lukaku (Napoli)

Lukaku has consistently been a prominent figure in transfer news during nearly every transfer window. Recently, the striker transitioned from Chelsea FC to SSC Napoli, with a reported transfer fee of €30 million. This deal has proven to be highly advantageous. 

He has been the primary catalyst for Napoli's improved performance compared to other Serie A giants, thanks to his exceptional finishing, remarkable goals, and stunning shots. The 31-year-old player has already netted six goals and provided four assists in the league this season. His contributions include scoring against prominent teams such as AC Milan and AS Roma. As an experienced professional, he has distinguished himself as the top performer.

Cover Credits - ESPN