Active Transfer Market Will Impact Soccer Futures
Through the first few weeks of the summer, the transfer market in soccer has been extremely interesting. Major teams in every top league are set to make important moves this summer.
With so many transfer moves having already been completed, and many more to come in what should be an active summer, there will be a significant effect on future odds for the upcoming season.
Here is a look at a couple of the key transfers and how they could affect the rest of the transfer market, and the season this fall.
Major Moves in European Soccer
Darwin Nunez’s move to Liverpool and Erling Haaland’s move to Manchester City were two of the first major transfers of the current summer window. They almost certainly won’t be the last during what should be a very active summer for several major European teams.
Arsenal should be extremely aggressive as they hope to finish in the top four next season. Haaland’s move to Manchester City may result in Gabriel Jesus departing for London. A midfield signing and possibly another forward could also be ways the team chooses to strengthen their squad ahead of a return to European competition in the Europa League.
Manchester United continue to pursue Frenkie de Jong, but it is still unclear whether or not they will be able to come to an agreement with FC Barcelona. As Erik Ten Hag enters his first summer in charge he will also pursue a forward and a center-back, most likely two of his former players at Ajax, Jurrien Timber and Antony.
Nunez’s move to Liverpool isn’t necessarily directly correlated with Sadio Mane’s potential departure, but it probably makes it more likely he will leave. Mane could be leaving for Bayern Munich this summer.
However, at Bayern Munich, Robert Lewandowski may be departing the club. One of the best forwards in the world, Lewandowski will have his choice of nearly any team in Europe, but it seems that Barcelona may be the most likely option if he does indeed leave Munich.
Elsewhere, Romelu Lukaku is nearing a return to Inter Milan, likely on a loan deal. Lukaku joined Chelsea from Inter Milan last season, but his return to the Premier League didn’t go as anyone expected, and it appears he will return to Italy.
Chelsea, like Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, will be one of the most interesting teams on the transfer market this summer. Thomas Tuchel is looking to make some significant changes to the squad after last season didn’t go as the team wanted it to. The London club finished an unexpected 19 points behind title winners Manchester City.
The active transfer market will have a massive impact on expectations for the upcoming season, and the favorites in the major competitions.
Potential Impact on Sports Betting
Nunez and Haaland’s moves to the Premier League will help Liverpool and Manchester City not only prepare for another competition for the league title, but will also ensure the two teams are favorites in the Champions League. If Chelsea has a successful summer in the transfer window, English teams could be well-positioned to have success in European competition yet again.
If Bayern Munich is able to complete a deal for Sadio Mane, the German club will add talent and depth to what is already one of the best squads in the world. After winning the Champions League in 2020, they would be among the favorites yet again, and no matter what the departure of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund will make them clear favorites to win their 11th straight Bundesliga title.
Lukaku’s return to Inter Milan will strengthen the team as they prepare to compete with crosstown rivals AC Milan in Serie A. The transfer could be significant for next year’s title competition and odds in the league, as Inter Milan finished just two points behind AC Milan last season.
It is still only the middle of June, and the transfer market should be extremely active this summer. It is likely that multiple world-class players will change teams during this transfer window, with a dramatic effect on the betting outlook in European soccer.
