Every new football season is accompanied by a series of transfer deals. Clubs spend tens and hundreds of millions in pursuit of new stars capable of taking the team to the next level. However, not all expensive acquisitions justify the invested funds. The past 2023/24 season was no exception, marked by several failed transfers. In this article, we will review the most unsuccessful deals of the last campaign. If you place sports bets, for maximum safety and reliability, you can choose Mostbet UZ rasmiy sayti. This bookmaker offers a wide variety of football bets and generous bonuses.
Romeo Lavia (Chelsea, €62 million)
Let’s start with the most glaring case. The transfer of the 20-year-old midfielder from Southampton to Chelsea for a staggering €62 million turned out to be a failure of unprecedented proportions. The young Englishman, signed by the Blues already injured, participated in only one Premier League match, playing a total of just 32 minutes all season. Clearly, the Londoners rushed this transfer, investing colossal sums in a player whose real potential is still very difficult to judge. Lavia will be one of those players who will have their last chance next season to justify the money spent on them.
Mason Mount (Manchester United, €64 million)
Equally questionable was Mason Mount’s transfer from Chelsea to Manchester United. Despite the impressive transfer fee, the Englishman could not find his place in the new team. Throughout the season, he was plagued by injuries, causing him to miss 20 Premier League matches. As a result, the 25-year-old midfielder played only 14 league games, scoring one goal. By the end of the campaign, Mount was even excluded from the Red Devils’ squad. It is hard to imagine a successful future for him at United.
Matheus Nunes (Manchester City, €62 million)
Another midfielder who failed to meet expectations was Portuguese Matheus Nunes. Moving to Manchester City from Wolverhampton, he could not adapt to the high demands of the Citizens. During the season, the 25-year-old midfielder averaged just over half an hour per game and often did not get any playing time for several matchdays. It is doubtful that City does not regret the €62 million spent on the Portuguese.
Ansu Fati (Brighton, loan)
There were also disappointments among long-hyped talents. Ansu Fati, who was expected to inherit Lionel Messi’s role at Barcelona, flopped during his loan at Brighton. The 21-year-old winger participated in only 19 Premier League matches, scoring two goals. Moreover, the Spaniard averaged only 26 minutes per substitute appearance. It is clear that neither Brighton nor Barcelona will consider Fati as a starting player after such a season. The young talent will need to work hard to revive his career.
Renato Sanches (Roma, loan)
The series of failures continues with Portuguese Renato Sanches. After an unsuccessful loan at PSG, the midfielder moved to Roma in hopes of getting more playing time. However, the Italian club became another trap for the 26-year-old player. Throughout the season, Sanches appeared in Serie A only seven times, starting only three matches. Injuries played a significant role, causing the Portuguese to miss out five times. It seems that Renato will have to change his club again soon.
Sandro Tonali (Newcastle, €64 million)
Equally risky was the transfer of Sandro Tonali from Milan to Newcastle. Initially, it seemed both parties benefited from the deal—the Magpies got a strong midfielder, and the Rossoneri received a substantial sum for new acquisitions. However, it soon became clear that the 24-year-old Italian was involved in sports betting, resulting in a suspension until August 27. Consequently, the midfielder managed to play only eight Premier League matches last season. Considering the significant transfer fee of €64 million, this outcome can only be described as a failure.
Oriol Romeu (Barcelona, €3.4 million)
In the summer of 2023, Barcelona was looking for a defensive midfielder to replace veteran Sergio Busquets. The newcomer to the Blaugrana was 32-year-old Oriol Romeu, who transferred from Girona for a modest €3.4 million. Initially, expectations for the Spaniard were low, but his performances did not impress even the most lenient critics.
In the first half of the season, Romeu received enough playing time, but in the second half, his role in the squad sharply diminished. Head coach Xavi Hernandez, who initially was not too keen on having Oriol on his team, finally lost faith in the experienced midfielder. There are already rumors about Romeu’s upcoming return to Girona—a club he left only a year ago.
Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona, €45 million)
One of the most high-profile transfers of last summer was Robert Lewandowski’s move from Bayern Munich to Barcelona. The Pole arrived at the Catalan club as the top scorer in the Bundesliga, eager for a new challenge. However, his debut season in La Liga turned into a bitter disappointment for the 34-year-old forward.
Despite a confident start with nine goals in the first seven rounds, Lewandowski’s performance noticeably declined as the season progressed. The tactical role of a deep-lying forward imposed by the coaching staff clearly did not suit Lewandowski, who was accustomed to being the spearhead of the attack. As a result, the veteran managed to score only 19 times in 34 league matches. For a player of his caliber, this is clearly insufficient. Amid rumors of a growing rift with head coach Xavi, Robert’s future at Barcelona looks uncertain.
