7 Best Transfer Windows of All Time

From the summer window in which Real Madrid recruited Kaka, Karim Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo, to the window that saw Manchester City sign the likes of David Silva, Yaya Touré, and Mario Balotelli, HITC Sevens takes a look at some of the greatest individual transfer windows that clubs have had in the history of football.
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[@Charlie-vc1jj]

Kohler didn’t win the Ballon D’or, he won German footballer of the year, it was his teammate Sammer who won the Ballon D’or for Dortmund in 1996

[@tetrafootball]

Facts

[@jddensh640]

yep

[@StefanSzocs79]

when I heard him saying that I knew that this was going to be the top comment

[@paulalexander8874]

If only Kohlar was German... 😉

[@12thMandalorian]

Alfie be slipping

[@r4h4al]

The Inter one was mad. Can't believe Pep let Eto'o go. Arguably he was their most important player the previous season when they won the treble.

[@justhuy7960]

Pep was simp for Messi and Ibra, it's unfortunate for Ibra when things didn't work out but Eto'o's leaving turned out pretty well for Messi

[@glencurtis6052]

I couldn't believe it at the time and it's still hard to understand now

[@r4h4al]

@@glencurtis6052 Not to mention that Zlatan did not suit Barcelona's style of play at all. Pep was a fool over this.

[@A_r78]

Pep is a fraud Man gets lucky with world class teams

[@r4h4al]

@@A_r78 An idea for a video on this channel. “Is Pep Guardiola a fraud?”.

[@someguynamedmike4766]

I think a video on England's 2010 world cup squad might be good, how poor they were in the group stage, the strange state of the squad & why someone as successful as Capello didn't work for them etc.

[@tetrafootball]

Very true its quite the mystery

[@kellijones6481]

It didn’t work because Capello is a winner, and England are… well they’re England

[@tetrafootball]

@@kellijones6481 True

[@domhocking8151]

​@kellijones6481 it didn't work because the players at the time were conditioned to absolutely hate each other for their clubs so struggled to work together. There was also no actual wingers in the squad so they were out played in wide areas much easier than they should have been

[@madrobert0944]

I think his biggest problem and a few other managers is not building a team far too many still pick a 18 rather than a 30 to shrink to a 23 it's no wonder during his and Erickson era we had a fair few 100 cap players

[@1998Cebola]

I was 11 in 2009 and just getting into football more deeply and foolishly thought that the summer window that year was business as usual, and I have been nothing but dissapointed since.

[@mahinabbasi5268]

I relate to this deeply.

[@2200detsortehul]

honorable mentions Inter 2006 - Maicon, Ibrahimovic, Vieira, Crespo, Maxwell. Man City 2017 - Bernardo, Ederson, Walker, Laporte

[@Snotzalotz]

Man City signed players by cheating thought so fuck them

[@mattyctill]

You can't count Ibra and Maxwell as two separate signings! They come as a pair!

[@A_r78]

Laporte aka flop

[@craigbazin2949]

Well done, Alfred

[@thecitizens4573]

@@A_r78you just watched football last season?

[@John17489]

Liverpool 1977/78 signing Kenny Dalglish, Alan Hansen and Graeme Souness all for under £1 million. Which led them to winning the European Cup in 1978 and 1981 and the league in 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983 and 1984.

[@redboyjan]

That's 6 million in today's money

[@justsomeguy2743]

@@redboyjanwhich is still ridiculously low

[@kaiharding7996]

​@@redboyjanif you use football inflation instead of regular inflation its alot more

[@redboyjan]

@@kaiharding7996 that is true

[@acehighjohn1759]

Shoulda been in

[@Edelweiss1102]

Props for including the 2009 Real window. It's easy to label it as "failure" because the impact wasn't immediate, and some Players didn't live up to the expectations entirely, but the long term impact of this window can absolutely not be understated. It laid the groundwork for 5 CL wins and ending Peps Barça reigns as dominant force. Ronaldo and Benzema won 10 CLs and 6 Ballon d'Ors between them, and scored about 800 goals. Xabi Alonso was a big influence for how Madrid played in the midfield, laying the groundwork for the legendary KMC trio soon to follow and he also learned a lot from Mou and Carlo during this time which now shows through his success as a manager. Arbeloa became an absolute Real Madrid legend, having 7 mostly successful seasons at the Bernabeu and now is a very promising youth coach in our academy. Kaka may not have lived up to the expectations entirely, but he still played his part with 68 goals during the Mou era. Albiol was a solid back up choice for 4 years and was sold with a profit to Napoli, where he would have a solid career. And even Granero had his contributions in the 20011/12 season. That being said, Milan 1987 turned them into the best club in Serie A and internationally for the next 20 years, so I wholeheartedly agree.

[@pedrovassallo8406]

Flamengo’s 2019 season had to feature. They signed Gabriel Barbosa, de Arrascaeta, Bruno Henrique, Rodrigo Caio, Rafinha and Filipe Luís at the beginning of the year, plus Gerson and Pablo Marí later on, alongside manager Jorge Jesus, which inspired them to a record breaking 90 points in the Brasileirão, their first title in 10 years, and their First Libertadores title since 1981. Then they won the Brasileirão again in 2020 and reached the Libertadores finals in 2021 and 2022, losing the first to Palmeiras and winning the second. They also won the Brazilian Cup in 2022.

[@A_r78]

Farmers league

[@s0te]

verdade viu, o Flamengo ficou gigante por causa desse ano de 2019, pena que um canal assim raramente fala do Brasileirão aqui, sempre foca muito no futebol europeu pela audiencia. Acho que o Flamengo teve o maior impacto em um time fora da Europa que eu vi

[@matheusorth5365]

@@A_r78 No. The talent isn't concentrated in one club like in Europe, and the knock-outs always have a big surprise. In 2023: Palmeiras won the league, São Paulo won the national cup and Fluminense won the Libertadores. Fluminense finished 7th in the league, and São Paulo finished in 11th.

[@klizan33]

As a far a remember without searching on google it was sammer and not kohler who won the ballor d’or in 1996, sammer was superb in euro 96

[@justhuy7960]

Thanks for mentioning Brighton's last summer transfer window since I was the one who recommended them in your twitter post 😁 I know it would hardly make the cut but if it's okay I hope you can make the list of 7 best 2-way transfer window of a club, that means they master in both buying and selling, like Inter 2009.

[@declanhampson1098]

Never change Alfie. Never change.

[@todplatinum5789]

Since a lot of these transfers involved big spending, maybe a top 7 transfer windows of all time based on percentage value increases

[@tetrafootball]

Oh that would of been good

[@maciejbala477]

@@tetrafootball *would have

[@bcbitchkkv]

@@maciejbala477 thank you. These Bri'ish people need to learn English all over again.

[@diegogalvan1810]

That would be interesting to see, I’m sure BVB would feature several times

[@Joe-MT]

Good one Alfie, interesting as always. I have a new challenge for you - a video about Maltese football. Thank You

[@Benji22222]

Love your content Alfie!!!

[@scottkeir3943]

The Come dine with me guy was a nice touch. Great vid as always

[@BALHAM69]

a documentary of Borussia Dortmund and how they were extremely close to bankruptcy in 2002 time and how Bayern had to save them. The extreme difficulties the club has had to manage within to get back to where they are #thepeopleschannel

[@Bale4Bond]

A topic done to death

[@justhuy7960]

keep doing it man, I'm living in Dortmund und would love to see the true reason why our club always bottled to Bayern at the end of the season 😂

[@Bale4Bond]

@@justhuy7960 Mitte der Zweitausender: unnötig Schulden gemacht weil man krampfhaft der FC Bayern sein wollte, ohne jedoch jemand mit den entsprechenden Hirnzellen im Verein zu haben. Jetzt: Diie Arroganz des FC Bayern abgekupfert, jedoch ohne die entsprechenden fähigen Persönlichkeiten im Verein zu haben. Insgesamt ist Dortmund seit über 20 Jahren die Penny Markt Version des FC Bayern, die sich selbst aber als rebellisch und "Anders" verkaufen möchte.

[@gonnie5501]

Never tired of hearing your voice Alfie! Another banger vid!

[@ItsJesssee]

That Madrid’s transfer window that included Kaka,Ronaldo,Benzema and co was legit the best fr!🤝

[@tetrafootball]

Yea probably was

[@yester9037]

The Milan signings formed the basis of a team that is better than any Real Madrid side that Ronaldo played in .Context is also important Real Madrid won the title in 2008 and were still top 2 , Milan had been relegated only a couple of years prior.

[@richardmorton6331]

Bringing Kaka in, but letting Schneider go to inter would go as a fail

[@bimanatawilaga7509]

​@@richardmorton6331 Perez hated dutch players that played in Madrid at the time. Hence Sneijder, Robben, and Huntelaar was let go. Not to say for Van der Vaart, but he stays for another year and played great role as supersub

[@s0te]

@@yester9037 and to show how good was that team of Milan, they 5-0'd a legendary Real Madrid squad that won La Liga 5 times consecutively, with Gullit carrying the squad and scoring, Ancelotti scoring a legendary long shot goal and Van Basten also scoring

[@juliusskoglund3427]

Great list 👏

[@jamesberkeley390]

Love your videos mate

[@t084]

Can’t wait for the videos that come after the season start

[@martinrees9756]

Great Alfie, as always

[@kevinnoris9957]

Woahhh that 2011 la liga season was crazy the 18th placed team was only 6 points away from the 8th placed team

[@simjames8463]

Why everyone always highlight Cristiano 450 goals but always forget his 125+ assists the guy just didn't score alone

[@javiermoreno5898]

Fun video Idea I would love to see on the channel if it doesn't exist but it is hard to make: 7 Best Academy classes, everybody knows about Madrid's Copa del Rey exploits to the Quinta del Buitre, Man Utd's class of 92 and Barcelona's although separated, incredible work (Pretty sure Messi Cesc or Busquets/Pedro were together) but I would love to see what else is out there

[@k0zargamng851]

Alfie you should really consider doing a video on the Bosnian men's national team, from being ranked 13 in the world in 2014 and qualifying for the World Cup in Brazil, to not qualifying for a single tournament since, yet managing to win their uefa nation leagues group, but genuinely hitting our lowest point with a 2-0 defeat to Luxembourg. Aging players, players who represent other national teams that are eligible to play for Bosnia but aren't seeming interested, just the genuine geopolitical mess that Bosnia is with how the Dayton agreement was meant to simply end the Bosnian war yet became the country's de facto constitution. I think it would make for a very interesting video, and could even span additional videos like how Velez Mostar are forced to play away from their original stadium in Mostar as it is on the Croatian side of the river, with their old stadium being taken over by Zrinjski Mostar. A club that was actually banned in Yugoslavia because of their nationalistic origin

[@acehighjohn1759]

Number one was never in doubt imo. Unreal business done there.

[@obitodmg5694]

Even considering how remarkable Malaga season was, I think in a couple of years we will consider Napoli summer 2022 transfer window at least the seven best of all times, if not even better. Thiss will depend of course on which legacy will Napoli’s last season leave for the future years and on how bright will Kim’s and Kvaratskhelia’s future be.

[@wiz3010]

Manuel Pellegrini is actually so underrated, he signed so many good players and won plenty under him

[@QueerChica]

As for my club Chelsea (yes, I've supported the club since before the money), even the Kezman deal wasn't bad because we made a profit on him x

[@ashleyburns6752]

Wolves summer 2018. Incredible window that set the club up for two 7th place finishes, Europa League run and FA cup semi.

[@JHa4848]

Have a feeling in maybe 10-15 years time if this video was remade Arsenal’s 21/22 summer window could feature if they continue to rise in the way they have. Ramsdale, Odegaard, White could all be long standing legends by then

[@kellijones6481]

They gotta win something first

[@JHa4848]

@@kellijones6481 ye that’s why I implied potential to feature

[@redboyjan]

Done nowt yet

[@learntooilpaint]

Typical Arsenal fan counting the cups they haven’t won yet. I’m going to guess they aren’t even as good next year.

[@A_r78]

Won’t be surprised if Arsenal finish 5th next season lol

[@sigurdwasenden7721]

Liverpool 1977 should definitely be there, bringing in Dalglish, Souness and Hansen whilst making a profit. Won 3 champions Leagues and 5 league titles in the following 7 seasons

[@andreichiriac7823]

The story of Farul Constanța romanian champions this season winning their first (or maybe second?) title. Club owned, run and managed by romanian legend Gheorghe Hagi, a native of the city of Constanța. Youngest champions in Europe this season (average players age), important contribution (some of the vital) from: 2 players born in 2005, one in 2006, 1 in 2003 and 3 in 2002 - all products of the club academy. Came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in the decisive match against Gigi Becali's team FCSB(who has a claim to Steaua Bucharest history).

[@joeltsetse379]

You should a video of the best comebacks a relegation zone squad at half way point in the season turned it around and placed higher than expected

[@alaska4joe]

Kaka was not the same, but he was so good that it made his 68 goal contributions out of 120 games not seem “good”, but most other players would be called legends with those numbers.

[@zillu_mama_is_hitler]

Even a 100M midfielder nowadays cant do that

[@CH2BRUV]

Alfie could you make a video on Sevilla and their entire squad being transfer listed

[@JMO2006]

You should rank wall wc winning managers Alfie

[@Walbel-ku7hy]

In my optinion a few transfer windows from Bayern Munich are missing. When Hoeneß and Rummenigge where in power and at their prime, they did some insanly good windows, which made bayern a force to be reconed with after a very bad season in 2007 / 08 (forza Stuttgart) 2012 / 2013: Dante, Shaquiri, Mandzukic, Pizazzaro, Martinez 2011 / 2012: Neuer, Rafinha, Alaba, Boateng, van Buyten 2009 / 2010: Robben, Gomez, Olic 2007 / 2008: Ribery, Klose, Luca Toni, H. Altintop, Jansen, Ze Roberto

[@s0te]

Real Madrid, being the most mentioned in the video with different successful transfer windows, proved again that they are the kings of the transfer market. No other team has such management and project.

[@sbassett5572]

Hang on... Surely you have to look at the Outs during the window too to assess if it's good or not? Signing Nedved sounds great but when he's coming in to replace Zidane it's a net negative.

[@chicocannon]

Was at the debut for most of that 2009 Madrid team, played Shamrock Rovers in Dublin to a crowd of a massive 6k

[@QueerChica]

Mijatovic scored the winner in the 1998 Champions League final too. That cemented his legendary status at Real x

[@diogovic1323]

I don't believe that u have put a Real's 1996 transfer window fully aware that they signed Carlos Secretário that summer.. i am laughing hard ahah

[@justhuy7960]

is he bad 😂

[@Machinationstudio]

0:27 What is going on with the head of the front row first guy on the left?

[@romanista9359]

your gonna have to update the video after romas transfer window this summer, already got aour and ndicka for free and made the ffp required 30 mill without selling a starter. plus were getting fratessi an scammaca

[@Bleu03251]

frattesi went to inter.😢

[@randomgamer1123]

Barcelona Summer 2014?? They signed Luis Suarez, Rakitic, Ter Stegen, Claudio Bravo, and Rafinha. They won the champions league and treble the next season.. Suarez became one of their top scores. He won the golden boot in Ronaldo and Messi's prime twice.

[@grantmasden4469]

Top 7 players from countries with

[@leemcdonald1342]

Video idea 7 tactics that changed association football

[@rodrigobarenco]

Flamengo 2019... Was the best I've ever seen!!!

[@chahineboudemagh9596]

I am once again asking for a video about Algeria's unofficial FLN national team (1958-1962)

[@michaelsalovaara567]

As a Canadian who didn’t grow up with footy, I appreciate your the history and context you provide. I chose Wigan FC as my team when I started my MA at B’ham the same year they were promoted to the Premiership. It’s been a rocky ride, but that FA win against MC was golden. Thanks. I appreciate your commentary.

[@greatfelixo]

respect for you picking a team like Wigan and not one of the big dogs

[@michaelsalovaara567]

@@greatfelixo Yeah, all my UK friends had their big teams and took the piss over beers. They just patted me on the head and wished Wigan well. 😆

[@greatfelixo]

@@michaelsalovaara567 proper football fans suffer. They follow their team when they are playing like a bunch of clowns. It makes it even sweater when you actually win something.

[@luissilva-santisteban3960]

7 football family’s or family dynasties would be cool, like marcos alonso for example

[@MrKyledane]

Having watched Real Madrid regularly throughout the post-2009 era, I think you undersold the impact on the team that Xabi Alonso had over the many years he spent at the club. Having that calm presence and pinpoint passing in the middle drove much of what Madrid did offensively for the next decade. So, far, far more impactful than Kaka, there's not really a comparison.

[@MrReese]

Still hoping for that Austrian Wunderteam video 😇✌.

[@Strangegloves]

early doors but newcastle united summer 22/23 looks good isak, pope, botman, targett have all played really well when fit

[@AndrewBrown-fq6vp]

"Melting the polar icecaps, just kidding that's already happening" had me laughing so hard I fell off my bed! Fucking brilliant! As a Palace supporter I was, with each number, waiting to see the mighty eagles at the top then realized I may have hit my head when falling! LOL 🙂

[@ipodzrock1]

What on Earth is going on at Portland Timbers FC?!?

[@akay6241]

Liverpool 1987?

[@Maximus7th]

As a Barcelona fan, I am not surprised at all that we are not on this top 7 list lmao. At least we got an honorable mention. PS: Screw Bartomeu for ruining our club with stupid transfer windows.

[@christopherdowns4270]

Madrid's 2009 isn't even debatable as being the best transfer window of all time.

[@handerborte97]

I think you left out Man Utd 09/10 summer transfer window. Obertan, Owen, Mame Diouf, and Valencia... and proffeting.... im not crying... you are

[@88risingfan32]

The ending monologue gave me tupac at the end of hit em up vibes lmaooo

[@aayushrai8881]

When did Jurgen Kohler win the Ballon d'Or?

[@rawiri8]

It's funny to hear Alfie refer to Real Madrid as "Los Blancos". This nickname is rarely used by the Spanish speaking world. "Los merengues" or "el club blanco" are more prevalent nicknames.

[@nuudelz3711]

I’ve always seen it as los Blancos in the English speaking world, interesting though

[@ruthlessalbo6113]

It’s funny that u mention the stolen content in the end cause I’ve literally credited yourself on 4-6 separate tik tok pages with just exact short clips of these vids uploaded on there accounts. My favourite line is “HITC inspired? Might as well steal his ID and move in with him”

[@IAmQuinton]

1:05 🤣🤣🤣 ofcourse

[@ivendargeorgiev8726]

Did you cover Adam Johnson's face🤣🤣🤣

[@danielnoah7719]

You never talk about Ronaldo assist in real Madrid

[@isaacwilliams6480]

Hi Alfie, don’t know if this is in the HITC wheelhouse but was wondering if you’d be interested in doing a video on “fan” responses to club Pride Month posts. From what I saw, some were overwhelmingly negative and I thought it could be something for you to stick your journalistic teeth into

[@federicotorriani2411]

As an italian, i didn't quite understand the pickle thing

[@shajafshivek]

First day asking for "7 countries with a promising future" as an israeli i think we deserve a spot after the u20 world cup 3rd place and semi finals of u21 euro

[@adamtouil8055]

Free Palastine 🇵🇸

[@mohammedaminefarid8389]

Ancelotti already had his eyebrow thing when he was still playing

[@FrankieBlueEyes]

Honestly can't believe this video is only 20 minutes. Thought you would take at least 7 or 8 minutes to explain the history of transfers. 😂

[@cuginoeddie8677]

Juventus 2002 got Buffon, Nedved and Thuram

[@glencurtis6052]

Take it as a compliment Alfie, even though you should be receiving money for people using your work

[@mundoloving]

Lad, i love your political jokes, the icecap one was fucking fire, just like the engines burning up fossil fuels and melting the ice caps even more. Keep it up

[@louielouie95]

What On Earth Is Going On At Arminia Bielefeld? The Club Were Relegated From The Bundesliga In 2022 And Are Relegated Again To The 3rd Tier Of German Football

[@ricardomiranda5022]

FC PORTO 2002/03 transfer market : result: WIN UEFA Europa League 2002/03 & WIN UEFA Champions League 2003/04

[@karlfroberg520]

"haha, I'm in danger"

[@SilliusSodus]

Worst Prem XI of all time?

[@tetrafootball]

We can do that if youll like

[@soundscape26]

A bit hard to go through thousands of players.

[@joeyacmilan]

Thank you to the late Silvio Berlusconi.

[@blossom.9618]

you forgot forest 22/23

[@etjrnbrlrtbrbrb5395]

bro you are a football channel how do you not know who won the ballondor or not

[@hesamiar]

Barçelona would’ve made the list had our most brilliant players not been academy products. As it is, we did get a mention. 😁

[@camiloprijs8411]

So I guess you need to sign at least 1 Dutchman to make it a good transfer window 😂

[@PoliAstroN]

It has to be Real Madrid. They signed 7 Balon D'ors and multiple UCL trophies in 1 window lol

[@tmnaaz4021]

I’ve topped all of these in career mode saves over the ears, Alfie. Should’ve asked me for my saves this video could’ve been 10x better. x

[@reddragonemporeromitola6869]

I believe we should remove the January transfer window and. Follow the same transfer winows as other leagues

[@mattyctill]

7 most impactful suspensions

[@mrbased6709]

Kohler never won the Balon D'or, it was Matthias Sammer

[@ASevBVB09]

Borussia Dortmund 2010: Robert Lewandowski (€4,75m) Shinji Kagawa (free) Lukasz Piszczek (free) Mario Götze (academy)

[@r4h4al]

3:07 That's Crouchy?

[@redboyjan]

Actually look pretty similar whoever that is

[@Sudu_Rudu]

Day 52: Rise and fall off Klaipėdos Atlantas

[@Nick_1790]

While Milan’s transfer window is great you can’t compete with Real Madrid’s. Benzema alone was behind 5 UCLs…. Come on, man.

[@tetrafootball]

Very true , the domination of Madrid

[@RyuzakiTaiyou]

Best German players in the premier league of all time. (Day 517) I will not give up until the video is made or Alfie himself tells me to stop. Everyone else telling me that will be ignored. If you don't believe my number, just go back to the previous videos. I'm at the bottom most of the time, but I'm there.

[@diesdasananas9903]

BIG DICK ENERGY

[@adamtouil8055]

Was für eine Widmung!

[@vladimirognyanov6874]

Jurgen Kohler never won the balon d'or, Matthias Sammer did

[@jamesdelisle3555]

Top 7 tiktokkers who steal content from Alfie Harmer

[@joshlewis5648]

Think Madrid 09 is the best. Imagine signing 3 players that scored a combine 100% goals for the club. 2 of which won 3 consecutive champions league.

[@zioreturnsgaming]

Day 52 Dream OFC XI all the OFC teams played as one nation in international Football not giving up on this