Transfer Madness

     With the World Cup in full swing, everybody is in the football spirit, in Brazil and beyond. Quality players have either departed Brazil or their country didn't qualify for their chance on the biggest stage of all. Some of these players are changing clubs too, and Total Football will have all of the big moves covered this summer.

     The major talking point last summer was Luis Suarez. He tried to force a move away from Liverpool after he was banned for biting an opponent. Ar
senal had a bid of £40,000,001 rejected by the Anfield club but the Gunners believed it triggered a buy-out clause in the Uruguayan's contract. And this summer has a sense of deja-vu about it. Again, Suarez has bitten somebody. Again, clubs still want his signiture. After a prolific season before hand, rumours suggest the big clubs are willing to gamble on such a mindless player. Barcelona are willing to offer Liverpool Alexis Sanchez, plus cash, in order to get their man. Their rivals, Real Madrid are looking to do the same, possibly with Angel Di Maria. All is being kept quiet though, for the time being.
     Liverpool are also
keen to bring in players, in case a deal for Suarez goes through. They have already confirmed the signings of Emre Can and Rickie Lambert and they are now on the verge of completing a deal for the latter's ex-Southampton team mate, Adam Lallana. He completed a medical at the weekend ahead of a proposed £25 million move. The Reds are also looking at Alberto Moreno, the Sevilla left back.

     And it's not just Lallana and Lambert that have departed the Saints this summer, 18 year old left back Luke Shaw has agreed a deal to join Manchester United for £27 million plus any add-ons. The youngster, who made his World Cup debut against Costa Rica, becomes the fourth most expensive defender with the move. The signing of Shaw means that United have waved goodbye to another left back, in Alex Buttner. Dynamo Moscow have recruited the Dutchman for £4.4 million plus add-ons. Another player joining the Red Devils is Spaniard Ander Herrera. The £29 million midfielder, revealed that completing the move was "a dream come true."  

     The rumours surrounding Cesc Fabregas' future have now been settled, with the Spaniard completing a £30 million pound move to Premier League megabucks Chelsea. The move was completed early in the window and comes as a replacement to the departing Frank Lampard. The ex-Arsenal man, who enquired about rejoining his former team, has "unfinished business in the Premier League." The Blues have also parted company with Brazilian centre-back David Luiz for an estimated £40 million. The flamboyant player has joined Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint Germain.

      The Summer Transfer Window has already had its fair share of free transfers too. Bacary Sagna has left Arsenal to join Manchester City, whilst goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon has joined Sunderland from the Premier League champions.Two veterans of the English game have left their clubs for free. Joe Cole has joined Aston Villa from West Ham and Damian Duff may end his career at Melbourne City after being released by Fulham. Hanover 96 striker Mame Biram Diouf, brother of El-Hadj, has left the German side to join Stoke City whilst Kris Boyd has returned to old club, Rangers from Kilmarnock. Yossi Benayoun has ended his long stay in English football and returned home to Israel with Maccabi Haifa whilst Luke Chadwick has made his dream move to hometown club Cambridge United permanent. Perhaps the bargain of the summer so far is Bafetimbi Gomis joining Welsh giants Swansea City. The prolific 'beast' has joined the Swans in their second scoop of the summer - the first being another free transfer in the hands of goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski.

     However, amongst all the talk, their is only one real beast that has moved this summer. None other than the one and only Adeabayo Akinfenwa. The Englishman's second spell at Gillingham ended in release before being snapped up by AFC Wimbledon. He thinks "AFC Wimbledon and Akinfenwa fit well together."

    So that's all the latest big moves from around the world. Many more are expected after the World Cup has finished. Who will your club sign? Are they right for your club? Do you need to bolster your attack, or tighten at the back? Comments and reaction down below and on Twitter: @TotalFootyBlogs. Finally, please help me to decide whether to change this blog into a vlog on YouTube. Only you can decide...