Which Clubs Have Impressed the Most Throughout the Summer Transfer Window

The return of top-tier European football is finally here. All of the continent's top five leagues are set to get underway in the coming weeks, with the curtain-raising for the new Premier League campaign taking place on August 16th when Manchester United host Fulham at OId Trafford. But while the on-pitch action may well be returning, the behind-the-scenes stuff is still far from over. 

The summer transfer window has been somewhat of a strange one, especially in comparison to years gone by. Very few marquee deals have gone through and with just a few weeks to go until the window slams shut, it remains to be seen if some megamoney deals will be completed. But despite the relatively quiet window, some clubs have still managed to shine with their business. Here are the two clubs that have impressed us the most so far this summer. 

Aston Villa

Aston Villa has been one of the busiest clubs in the transfer market this summer, attempting to strengthen their squad ahead of their Champions League debut this autumn. The West Midlands outfit has benefited from a windfall in cash over the last year. Their top-four finish last term has certainly helped, as have the sales of Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby. However, it's their corporate dealings that have caught the eye. 

Back in April, the Villans announced a new spirit sponsorship deal with a prominent online betting and casino platform worth an estimated £40m over the next two seasons. 

The gambling deal has brought extra funding to Villa's ever-heftier coffers, while also providing the club's supporters with access to some of the best games on the market today. 

The club's new partner has games that rival those found in a popular Australian online casino, with the likes of Zombie FC - a football-themed online slot game that combines the excitement of slot gaming with the passion of football. "Zombie FC" features a zombie-themed backdrop where players encounter various undead characters in a football setting, with immersive animations and graphics that captivate many gambling enthusiasts worldwide. 

Within the Zombie FC slot gameplay, players can expect a range of football-related slot symbols, such as zombie referees, footballs, and pitch elements, all contributing to an immersive and entertaining gaming experience. 

Ultimately, this popular slot game, along with other offerings from the club's new partner, promises to captivate the Villa faithful and enrich their matchday experience.

Overall, Unai Emery has put his club's newfound spending power to good use. He has brought in highly-rated Belgian midfielder Amadou Onana from Everton to replace the outgoing Douglas Luiz, while the addition of Ian Maatsen - a player who helped Borussia Dortmund reach the Champions League final last season - will surely bolster Villa down the left-hand side. 

Young stars Cameron Archer and Jaden Philogene have also arrived, with the former impressing despite Sheffield United's relegation and the latter lighting up the Championship with Hull City. 

Add to that the experience of Ross Barkley, who returned to the club following a loan spell a few years ago, and Aston Villa will be in contention for Champions League qualification once more next term. 

Atletico Madrid

In recent years, Atletico Madrid has been forced to show their shrewdness in the transfer market. However, this summer long-serving manager Diego Simeone has finally been backed in the transfer market, and he has set about assembling a side that can contend with Real Madrid and Barcelona at the summit of La Liga. Last season, Los Rojiblancos seemingly had a clear path to the Champions League final. Still, they were upset by Dortmund in the quarterfinals, and that has seemingly triggered El Cholo to transform his squad. 

Long-serving defenders Stefan Savic and Gabriel Paulista have left on free transfers, while Turkish center half Çağlar Söyüncü and Spain's Euro 2024 captain Alvaro Morata have both left for cut prices. In their place comes quality in abundance. 

One of the standout signings is Argentina's World Cup-winning striker Julian Alvarez. The former Manchester City hitman brings promise and versatility to Atletico’s frontline, as well as a hefty transfer outlay which could rise to €90m. His knack for finding the net and his movement off the ball will be invaluable to an Atletico team that has been crying out for a striker who can finish off the chances that his side will undoubtedly create for him

Another key acquisition is Conor Gallagher, the energetic midfielder from Chelsea. The England international is a midfielder who is perfectly molded for Simeone's style of play. His relentless work rate will see him press all over the pitch, just as his manager once did in his playing career. Add to that his ability to dictate play from central midfield and his experience in the cut-throat Premier League, and Simeone will certainly be salivating at the thought of him in the middle of the park. 

With three central defenders leaving the club this summer, Simeone had to bring someone in to plug the gap and partner Jose Gimenez at the heart of the defense. That man is French-born Spanish international Robin Le Normand, who started all but one game as La Roja won the European Championships this summer. He arrives from Real Sociedad and is expected to play a crucial role in the Spanish top flight next term.