Unveiling the Under-the-Radar Deals During Football’s Club World Cup Extravaganza

While the football world fixated on the inaugural edition of the newly formatted FIFA Club World Cup, culminating in a surprising victory for Chelsea, the usually bustling summer transfer window was quietly underway. This new tournament structure, featuring additional transfer windows in June, created a unique market dynamic. Clubs, whether basking in glory or licking their wounds, were simultaneously making strategic moves for the 2025-26 season. It’s easy to miss significant player shifts when global silverware is on the line, but some major European powerhouses, and one rising Saudi giant, certainly kept their recruitment departments busy. Let`s delve into five pivotal transfers that may have slipped under your radar amidst the Club World Cup spectacle.

Thiago Almada to Atletico Madrid: A Creative Spark for Simeone`s System

Atletico Madrid’s outing at the Club World Cup was, to put it mildly, forgettable. Knocked out in the group stages, their performance left much to be desired for a club of their stature. Yet, even as their CWC campaign sputtered, their recruitment arm was busy securing a significant talent: Thiago Almada. The Argentine attacking midfielder, formerly of MLS`s Atlanta United, made his way to Diego Simeone`s squad via a transfer from Botafogo, after a loan stint at Olympique Lyon. Priced at around $20 million, this move represents a crucial opportunity for Almada to cement his place in European football`s elite. For Simeone, acquiring a player with Almada’s creativity and flair suggests a desire to inject more attacking impetus into a system often criticized for its defensive rigidity. Perhaps, with Almada, Atletico aims to ensure their future performances are less forgettable than their recent Club World Cup showing.

Ange-Yoan Bonny to Inter: Reinventing the Nerazzurri Attack

Inter Milan emerged from the Club World Cup period facing significant internal shifts. Simone Inzaghi, who led them to prior successes, was replaced by Cristian Chivu at the managerial helm. This change wasn`t just about the dugout; the attacking roster also saw considerable retooling. With seasoned forwards like Marko Arnautovic and Joaquin Correa departing, Inter demonstrated a clear strategic direction: investing in youth while retaining promising talent. Youngster Francesco Pio Esposito, already a key scorer in the Club World Cup, was retained, and critically, Inter secured Ange-Yoan Bonny from Parma for approximately $25 million. Bonny represents a fresh, dynamic option for the Nerazzurri`s frontline. While talks continue for Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, the signing of Bonny underscores Inter`s commitment to rebuilding their attack with a blend of promising young players, aiming to hit the ground running under their new management.

Jamie Gittens to Chelsea: Another Staggering Investment

Chelsea`s summer transfer activity has become something of a predictable blockbuster, and the period around their Club World Cup triumph was no exception. Despite lifting the trophy under Enzo Maresca, the London club continued their aggressive spending spree. Their most expensive acquisition to date this summer is Jamie Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for a substantial £51.5 million on a seven-year deal stretching until 2032. Gittens marks Chelsea’s seventh summer signing, highlighting their relentless pursuit of talent across Europe. This persistent investment, even after securing major silverware and having other significant new arrivals like Joao Pedro from Brighton (who notably scored three goals in the Club World Cup), underlines Chelsea`s strategy of deep-pocketed squad renewal. For the rest of Europe, it`s a testament to Chelsea`s ambition, or perhaps, a wry nod to their ongoing fascination with the transfer market regardless of immediate success.

Alvaro Carreras to Real Madrid: A Homecoming for the Galácticos` Future

Real Madrid, ever a club of grand designs, also underwent significant change during this period. Carlo Ancelotti departed to manage the Brazilian national team, making way for club legend Xabi Alonso to take the reins. As part of their continuous squad evolution, balancing established stars with burgeoning talents, Real Madrid brought back Alvaro Carreras. The Spanish left-back, who initially developed in Madrid’s academies from 2017 to 2020, returns to the club from Benfica for around $50 million. Carreras joins a list of high-profile summer recruits, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, and Argentinian prodigy Franco Mastantuono. This move for Carreras signifies Real Madrid`s commitment to nurturing homegrown talent, even if it means buying them back at a premium after their development elsewhere. It`s a strategic blend of nostalgia and necessity, ensuring the “Blancos” maintain both their identity and their competitive edge.

Theo Hernandez to Al-Hilal: The Saudi Shift Continues

The exodus of top European talent to the Saudi Pro League remains a compelling narrative, and the Club World Cup period saw another prominent name join the trend. AC Milan made the decision to offload star left-back Theo Hernandez. Despite initial uncertainty, the French international opted to join Al-Hilal for approximately $25 million, reuniting with former Inter manager Simone Inzaghi. For AC Milan, this transfer marks the beginning of a new cycle under Massimiliano Allegri, signaling a strategic pivot away from some established figures. For Hernandez, it`s a significant career move, trading the demanding battlefields of Serie A and European competitions for the burgeoning, yet financially alluring, landscape of Saudi football. His decision, made concurrently with football`s premier club tournament, serves as a stark reminder that even as the traditional footballing powers compete for glory, the global game`s financial epicenter is increasingly diversifying.

The recent FIFA Club World Cup not only delivered thrilling football but also provided a fascinating backdrop to the summer transfer market. While the world`s attention was fixed on the pitches, clubs were meticulously shaping their futures, sometimes with audacious bids, other times with quiet, strategic additions. These five transfers, though potentially overshadowed by the tournament`s fanfare, collectively underscore the ever-evolving dynamics of global football – a dance between on-field drama and off-field strategic chess, where even under the brightest lights, some of the most impactful moves happen with quiet precision.