13 transfers that are already agreed for summer 2022: Haaland, Rudiger…

Patrick Ryan • 03 Jun 2022

The 2022 summer transfer window is fast approaching, and that means the rumour mill is already in full blow. But some transfers have already been confirmed, with clubs planning ahead of time. We’ve listed 13 of the biggest ones that have already been agreed for summer 2022.

With the market seeing the value of players permanently inflating, clubs are increasingly using free transfers to bolster their ranks, from the Premier League to the Bundesliga and La Liga.

But you don’t need to get a player on a free to have a transfer pre-arranged. Plenty of clubs have already parted with their cash and signed the contracts for deals that still won’t go through for a couple of months.

It gives clubs the time and organisational space needed to then pursue other deals, giving them a head start during the crazy summer period when the bigger clubs generally start making forays into the market.

So here are 13 of the biggest transfers already confirmed (or all but confirmed) for summer 2022.

Erling Haaland

That sound you can hear is 19 Premier League managers quietly sobbing at the prospect of facing Haaland and Manchester City next season.

Antonio Rudiger

Rudiger’s move from Chelsea to Real Madrid was confirmed this week, ending a long-running transfer saga.

The Germany international played more than 200 times for the Blues and played a key part in their Champions League win in 2021 but a move to Spain has felt inevitable for months.

He tweeted: “I’m proud to announce that I’ll be joining Real Madrid. I’m super excited for all the challenges ahead and can’t wait to play my first games for this huge club.”

We don’t think he’ll be given a welcome in Madrid quite as special as this one, however.

Antonio Rudiger received an incredible welcome when he landed in Sierra Leone 😳🇸🇱 pic.twitter.com/dBQcf0s2xT

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 25, 2022

Karim Adeyemi

Borussia Dortmund moved quickly to replace Haaland with the signing of RB Salzburg striker Adeyemi – who reportedly rejected the advances of Manchester United to move to Germany.

Adeyemi has developed impressively in Austria and has become a senior Germany international with strong hopes of making their World Cup squad this year.

“There will be no release clause included into his five-year deal,” agent Thomas Soloman claimed. “[Ralf] Rangnick? Yes, Manchester United wanted to enter the race – but we wanted BVB.”

It looks like Dortmund have made another canny signing.

Pedro Porro

When you’re playing Football Manager, you always buy as many youngsters as you can. You do so with good intentions, honestly wanting to play and develop them, but you just can’t find the game time and send them on loan.

Then they get annoyed when you still won’t play them a year or so later, and you sell them. It’s the circle of (FM) life.

Manchester City seem to be in that period right now. Exciting Spanish right-back Porro is now 22 and in his second season on loan at Sporting, who have now triggered the buy option to bring the youngster in permanently for €8.5million.

It was worth it for this alone.

BLOODY HELL. Have a look at Pedro Porro's scorching golaço for Sporting CP against Boavista the other day. Léo Jardim could only wave goodbye to that one. pic.twitter.com/SqSOEoiiWN

— MUNDIAL (@MundialMag) February 1, 2021

Diego Carlos

Aston Villa have made some ambitious moves this summer with Phillipe Coutinho and Boubacar Kamara making the move to the West Midlands.

But the signing of Sevilla defender Carlos may be the biggest statement of intent of all.

Carlos told Villa’s official website: “I am really happy because the Premier League is one of the best competitions. I always want to do the best for the club and the shirt I’m wearing.

“I always want to do the best for the club and the shirt I’m wearing.”

And the 29-year-old may prove an upgrade on Tyrone Mings at the back.

Brenden Aaronson

Leeds United survived on the final day of the Premier League and have quickly moved to reinforce their squad with the signing of USMNT midfielder Aaronson.

A £25million agreement saw Aaronson join Leeds from Red Bull Salzburg last week after the Yorkshire club missed out on his signature last January.

“I got a little, I guess definition about the player that Leeds want, and I think I fit that,” Aaronson told ESPN.

“They celebrate a tackle like a goal, and I’m going to be that guy that’s not only going to be the creative outlet or the guy that’s going to be playing I guess, the [No.] 10 or winger or whatever.

“I’m going to be the guy that’s going to be working hard too and that’s what Leeds is.”

Franck Kessie

Despite winning their first Scudetto in 11 years, Milan midfielder Kessie has already made the decision to sign for Barcelona this summer.

Milan are losing a key player, so was Paolo Maldini as composed in the negotiating board room as he was on the pitch guarding the defence?

No chance. Apparently, he was so shocked at Kessie’s contract demand that he yelled out “He is not Rijkaard!”

Matt Turner

Arsenal have seemingly been sensible in the transfer market in the past year, and arranging a transfer for a new backup goalkeeper before the second half of the season even started is yet more good business.

Turner will arrive in the summer from MLS side New England Revolution. In true Sunday morning TV show fashion, “here’s one we made earlier”…

READ: Everything you need to know about new Arsenal signing Matt Turner

Andreas Christensen

Chelsea are set to lose not just one, but two starting centre-backs for absolutely nothing this window.

But while Rudiger is headed to Madrid, Christensen has instead opted to become part of the project at Barcelona and become part of Xavi’s squad.

Whilst it’s not official yet, it’s reportedly all but certain. It’s a good move for both the player and the club, Christensen being good with his feet and so a perfect Barca player.

He also does stuff like this every now and again. Madness.

MY WORD!! WHAT A STRIKE 🔥

Christensen has just sent Denmark to the knockout stages with an outrageous thunderbolt 🚀🔥#Denmark pic.twitter.com/OI8F2lvVeQ

— The Brothers Chat (@thebrotherschat) June 21, 2021

Matthias Ginter

Ginter hasn’t just been confirmed as moving on a free to Freiburg from Monchengladbach, but he’s even turned up to the ground and had his picture taken with the top and all sorts.

He might as well just throw the whole kit on and get a few games in early at this rate.

Nico Schlotterbeck

Ginter’s arrival is largely in order to cover the departure of Freiburg’s exciting young centre-back Schlotterbeck.

He’s a huge talent. There were reports ‘bigger’ clubs like Manchester United were interested in him, along with Newcastle, but he’s opted to go to North-West Germany which should stand his career in good stead.

22-years-old, he’s off to Dortmund for £18million where he’ll be trying to get into the first team as soon as possible, but…

Official and confirmed. Nico Schlotterbeck joins Borussia Dortmund from Freiburg on a five year deal, he’s the second signing after Niklas Süle. 🟡⚫️ #BVB

Next priority for BVB: Karim Adeyemi. pic.twitter.com/epL9KfiqlA

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 2, 2022

Niklas Sule

… he’ll have to compete with Sule. The Bayern man is doing what every other player seems to do in Germany and is swapping one of the Der Klassiker clubs for another.

He’s moving to Dortmund on a free, who will soon have the Haaland money to throw around at some point soon as well.

They’ll spend it sensibly, however. They’re not Manchester United.