The 7 most expensive non-PL moves of summer ’21 & how they’re faring

Many were financed by Premier League money; Borussia Dortmund needed a replacement for Jadon Sancho while Italian clubs plucked some unappreciated players from a bloated Chelsea squad.

But how have the most high-profile deals from Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga fared since their big-money moves?

We’ve traced the seven most expensive non-Premier League signings of the summer 2021 transfer window and how they’re faring.

PSG signed Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos and Gianluigi Donnarumma last summer but Hakimi was the only player signed for substantial money by the French giants.

Fully deserving of his £54million price tag, the Morocco international has been a model of consistency at PSG and no doubt play a crucial role in their quest for the Champions League trophy.

It helps that he can whip in a mean cross too…

Assist @AchrafHakimi pic.twitter.com/HlvHMfYhA8

— Morocco Talks Football (@OFFICIALMTF2K18) December 22, 2021

Upamecano was a much-coveted defender last summer and it was Bayern Munich that beat the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United to his signature.

He cost Bayern about £38.25million, which was reportedly his release clause, and was bought into replace the out-going David Alaba and Jerome Boateng – but it hasn’t gone quite to plan for the France international.

Upamecano swapped Leipzig for Munich was the same path travelled by Julian Nagelsmann this summer but the coach has now publicly criticised his role in January’s victory at Hertha Berlin.

The Bayern boss specifically criticised the decision-making by Upamecano without mentioning him by name as he questioned his concentration levels.

“That goal was completely avoidable. If I were 95 kilos and very fast, I’d control the ball, dribble another