As the football world begins counting down to the year 2025, we profile the players who arrived at their new clubs last summer and highlight the best of the lot as the season reaches its midway point.
Mason Greenwood (Marseille) – €31.6m
The former Manchester United star has taken to life very well in France’s top-flight, having cut ties with the Red Devils in July following a season-long loan at Getafe.
Greenwood has hit the ground running with l’OM as he continues to rebuild his football career abroad. The Englishman has netted 11 goals in 16 appearances so far.
David de Gea (Fiorentina): Free
David de Gea’s season-long sabbatical from football following a sour exit from Old Trafford seems to have done him no harm at all. After being let off by Manchester United in 2023, the shot-stopper finally joined Fiorentina as a free agent in the summer.
Following a tough start, De Gea has emerged as a key figure in the Viola’s unexpected surge up the Serie A table, keeping six cleans sheets in 14 appearances and remarkably saving two penalties in one game in a huge win over AC Milan in October.
Scott McTominay (Napoli) – €30m
Another ex-Manchester United man thriving away from Old Trafford, Scott McTominay has become part of a growing Scottish contingent in Italy and is playing a central role in Napoli’s title challenge.
Antonio Conte has deployed the midfielder in a more advanced role and has reaped the rewards, with the 28-year-old scoring crucial goals against Inter and Torino and emerging as an unexpected fan favourite.
Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain) – €60m
The French giants saw off some stiff competition – including from Manchester United – to sign the 20-year-old from Benfica in the summer.
He has proven to be worth every penny of the €60m (£50m/$63m) fee he commanded, starting the season by providing four assists in two games and later scoring his first goal for the club against fierce rivals Marseille to endear himself to the fans.
Mateo Retegui (Atalanta) – €28m
The Italian point-man put pen to paper for Atalanta from Genoa in August for €28m and it has proven to be a worthwhile investment, with the man nicknamed ‘The Hornet’ joint-top scorer in Serie A (12) while helping to fire La Dea to the top of the standings in what is an intense title race.
Moise Kean (Fiorentina): €13m
The Fiorentina hitman has been an unlikely hit since his arrival at Florence from Juventus last summer.
The 24 year-old Italian already has 14 strikes in 21 appearances this term having rediscovered his midas touch and he will be crucial as the Viola attempt to claim continental glory in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) – €60m
Michael Olise has shown he can cut it at the very highest level, after making the step up from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich in the summer.
The winger has 16 goal involvements in 22 appearances so far, including a sublime individual effort against Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League.