After Paris Saint-Germain was removed from the list, I led England to victory!

In the summer of 2022, the Premier League transfer market was like a volcano that suddenly erupted.

A surge of capital and inflated ambitions swept across the entire football world.

Its prelude quietly began at the Kearney training ground in North London.

Nowadays.

A warm yet slightly sentimental farewell party is being held at Arsenal's training ground.

The main characters are two veteran players: Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Two veteran players are leaving the team.

The locker room was filled with flowers and souvenirs.

A huge poster hangs on the wall, capturing their passionate moments in red and white battle uniforms.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the former Arsenal hero striker, still has speed as his signature weapon, but the passage of time and tactical changes have brought his time with the club to an end.

He ultimately chose Barcelona, ​​hoping to write the final chapter of his career under the Camp Nou sun.

Lacazette, the ever-diligent and tactically-driven French striker, has decided to return to his roots as a free agent to the place where his dream began – Lyon in Ligue 1.

Team captain Yan Yuan delivered a speech on behalf of the entire team.

He recalled the moments he shared with his two older brothers, from their guidance when he was young to their encouragement during adversity.

"Alex, Pierre, thank you for everything you've done for this club. You are true Arsenal players, and there will always be a place for you in this locker room." Yan Yuan's words were sincere and powerful.

Everyone present offered their blessings and applause to Lacazette and Aubameyang.

With tears in their eyes, Aubameyang and Lacazette embraced each of their teammates and staff members tightly.

This marks the end of an era.

Arsenal's attacking line has officially undergone a generational change.

Saying goodbye to old generals means that fresh blood must be brought in.

Head coach Nagelsmann and sporting director Edu are already eager to make their move, with a clear goal: to find a world-class striker to fill the huge void left by Aubameyang and Lacazette.

Arsenal's chequebook is ready, and their ambitions have swelled to new heights following their Champions League victory last season.

……

Arsenal's transfer activity is swift and efficient.

They first signed Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City for €5000 million.

Including Martinelli and defender Gabriel, this is Arsenal's third "Gabriel".

This deal is widely viewed favorably.

Jesus is familiar with the pace of the Premier League, possesses exquisite technique, runs actively, and is eager to prove himself in a team where he can secure a starting position.

His arrival is seen as a perfect upgrade to Arsenal's attacking strength.

Following that, Arsenal brought in winger Leandro Trossard from Brighton for a bargain price of 2000 million euros.

Trodza established himself in the Premier League with his versatility and excellent footwork, and his arrival has provided Nagelsmann with more flexibility and depth in his tactical arrangements.

However, Arsenal's management has ambitions that go far beyond that.

Their gazes naturally fell upon Erling Haaland, the hottest rising star in European football this season.

Regarding transfers.

Initially, Borussia Dortmund had already agreed to Arsenal's terms, with the release clause clearly stated: €5500 million.

This price is a steal for a "goal machine" like Haaland.

The shrewd Nagelsmann had long coveted Haaland.

He believes that Haaland's powerful attacking ability and terrifying scoring efficiency, combined with Yan Yuan's excellent playmaking and finishing skills, will be a perfect match, enough to dominate European football for at least a decade.

Yan Yuan also personally intervened, speaking with Haaland by phone and outlining his vision for creating a dynasty together at Arsenal.

"Come on, Erling, come to Arsenal, we can win everything together."

But Haaland, this young Norwegian giant, possesses a clarity and ambition beyond his years.

He confided in his friend Bellingham privately.

"Arsenal is great, Yan is phenomenal, he is the king of Arsenal, but... I don't want to live in someone else's shadow forever. I want to be myself, I don't want to be the king's bodyguard."

Haaland is a player with ambition; he wants to be a pillar of the club.

Arsenal clearly have no shortage of pillars.

Despite his young age, Habo understands that after joining Arsenal, the media focus and the core of the tactics will most likely still revolve around Yan Yuan, who has already won the title.

He might only become "Yan Yuan's top marksman," rather than an absolute ace who can stand alone.

Aside from Haaland's own thoughts.

The allure of Manchester City extends to other aspects as well:

First, Haaland’s father, Alf-Ing. Haaland, is a Manchester City legend, and this family bond has a subtle yet powerful influence.

More importantly, the astronomical annual salary offered by Manchester City, along with the promise of greater competitiveness in the Champions League next season, and the personal lobbying by manager Pep Guardiola, ultimately tipped the scales completely.

What Arsenal can't offer, Manchester City can offer Haaland.

Manchester City can satisfy Haaland's desires: money, status within the team, and a sense of belonging.

Therefore, Haaland ultimately chose Manchester City.

This transfer, which could have shocked the world, ultimately slipped through Arsenal's fingers, becoming a "what if" for many Arsenal fans.

After missing out on Haaland.

Arsenal quickly switched to Plan B.

They set their sights on another superstar striker – Robert Lewandowski.

At this moment, Lewandowski was in such hot form that he was like an erupting volcano.

Moreover, Nagelsmann had previously enjoyed a pleasant working relationship with him at Bayern Munich, making the prospect of a reunion between the mentor and protégé intriguing.

Facing an Arsenal team that dominates Europe, boasts a top winger like Yan Yuan, and whose style is becoming increasingly mature, Lewandowski did seriously consider the offer.

However, after careful discussions with his family and management team, 33-year-old Lewandowski ultimately declined the offer.

Lewandowski's reasoning is very practical: "The Premier League is notoriously high-intensity and physically demanding. If he were five or six years younger, he would definitely have chosen Arsenal, but now he's 33, and his body can no longer allow him to play like that."

Lewandowski has been playing in the Bundesliga for many years, and his physical abilities are beginning to decline slowly from their peak.

What he needs is a league that allows him to better extend his peak years, rather than one that challenges his limits.

Ultimately, the Barcelona sunshine, La Liga's relatively more technical style, and €3000 million annual salary from Barcelona attracted Lewandowski, leading him to the Camp Nou pitch.

Although Arsenal missed out on two top strikers.

With the signings of Jesus and Trossard, Arsenal's attacking restructuring is essentially complete.

This season, Arsenal's main striker options will be developing Jesus and young Nketiah. If necessary, Yan Yuan, who is 188cm tall, can also play as a striker.

This attack combination is more mobile and technologically advanced, making it capable of handling multi-front operations.

Arsenal's summer signings, while not without their shortcomings, were generally pragmatic and targeted.

……

This summer, the madness of the Premier League extends far beyond North London.

Newcastle United, the newly minted tycoon club, has finally begun to demonstrate its "money power" after being taken over by Saudi Arabian investors.

They signed Swedish striker Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad for a club-record €7000 million.

This signing signals that Newcastle are no longer content with avoiding relegation; they are eager to secure a place in the Premier League standings.

The traditional BIG6 members have been making frequent moves.

Liverpool desperately need to add a top-class attacker after losing Mane.

They didn't hesitate to pay a huge sum of 7500 million euros to bring in Uruguay's new generation striker Darwin Núñez from Benfica in the Portuguese league, hoping he could fill the void left by Mane and form a new attacking trident with Salah and Diaz.

Manchester United, after a disappointing season ending without a trophy, are determined to revitalize themselves in the transfer market.

Ten Hag brought a clear team-building strategy.

First, he brought in experienced defensive midfielder Casemiro from Real Madrid for €7065 million, intending to strengthen the team's relatively weak defensive midfield position and provide a solid barrier for the back line.

But this was just the beginning. Ten Hag's biggest move was spending a staggering 1 million euros to sign his former favorite, Brazilian winger Anthony, from his old club Ajax.

Carmelo Anthony's transfer was arguably the most dramatic and much-mocked story of the summer.

According to media reports, Arsenal's scouting system had also taken notice of the talented Brazilian teenager before Manchester United signed Anthony.

Nagelsmann admires Anthony's dribbling skills, his ability to cut inside and shoot, and his boundless energy, believing that he can enrich the team's attacking options.

Arsenal's management has made initial contact with Ajax.

However, Arsenal's asking price for Anthony is around 4000 million euros.

This price is considered reasonable for a young player who has yet to prove himself in one of the top five European leagues.

However, the news somehow leaked out.

When Manchester United's management heard that rivals Arsenal were interested in Anthony, they immediately reacted as if a sensitive nerve had been touched and quickly intervened.

"What Arsenal wants is definitely good players!"

With this in mind, Manchester United boldly raised their offer to a staggering 1 million euros!

This price was like a game-changer, catching Arsenal off guard and instantly shattering Ajax's psychological defenses.

Faced with such a huge price difference.

Arsenal have chosen to withdraw from the competition.

Arsenal's management felt Manchester United's actions were somewhat baffling.

A huge question mark appeared in everyone's mind.

Is there something wrong with Manchester United?

Is it really necessary to raise prices like this?

This move left Manchester United fans around the world both amused and bewildered, with mixed feelings.

While welcoming the new signings, they couldn't help but launch into a barrage of sarcastic remarks about the management's "divine actions."

On Hupu (a Chinese sports forum), related posts instantly flooded the screen, and the fans' comments were quite interesting.

"I heard that Nana only asked about the price, and I immediately raised the bid by 5000 million and bought it! What does it mean to be from a wealthy family? This is what it means to be from a wealthy family! [doge]"

"With a transfer fee of 100 million euros, Tengsheng must have taken at least 30 million euros in kickbacks, right?"

"That's too little; he took about 80 million in kickbacks."

"Teng Sheng's Ai-chan is coming! Manchester United is about to break Arsenal's dominance! Yan Shen is about to be defeated by Yuan Shen!"

"Yuan Shen? How could you come up with the idea of ​​giving Anthony that nickname?"

"The guy upstairs obviously doesn't watch much basketball. Carmelo Anthony's most common signature move when he was at Ajax was spinning the ball in place to get past his opponent. It looks like a compass, so he was called the 'Round God'."

"Madoka! Activate!"

"Manchester United's management is on a high level right now. They're not just buying players; they're announcing to the entire Premier League: You want to compete with me for players? Prepare your money before you talk."

"Manchester United are big idiots. Fine, Manchester United keep raising the price. —From 'Manchester United on the Edge of the Clouds'"

"As a long-time Manchester United fan, I'm speechless... Anthony is a decent player, worth tens of millions, but buying him for 100 million... that price is absolutely outrageous, utterly outrageous. It feels like our United have been ripped off again, and they'll never shake off that nickname for the club."

"Take it easy, you can't get rid of it in your next life."

Arsenal: Anthony is good, inquire about the price. Manchester United: What? Arsenal wants to buy him? Quick! Increase the money! Immediately! We must get him! We can't let our arch-rivals succeed! Ajax: Thanks to our Manchester United brothers for sending us the rocket! Thanks to Coach Ten Hag!

"Fine, fine, the money's already spent. We can only hope Anthony actually likes it. As long as he can help the team win, a hundred million it is, Manchester United it is, we accept it..."

The nickname "Manchester United," which carries a hint of self-deprecation and helplessness, has been repeatedly mentioned by Manchester United fans and netizens who enjoy watching the drama this summer, and has finally become a reality.

Manchester United's management's "panic buying" or "hijacking" strategy has become a long-standing topic of conversation among fans.

When the summer transfer window finally closed, the landscape of the Premier League had already undergone subtle yet profound changes.

Arsenal have completed the rejuvenation of their attacking line while maintaining their core framework;

Manchester City have welcomed super striker Erling Haaland, making them even stronger; Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham have also added strong reinforcements to their squads.

Manchester United are spending lavishly in an attempt to revive their fortunes.

Newcastle's rise has made the league more competitive and unpredictable.

This summer has seen tender farewells, fierce bidding wars, regrets of missed opportunities, and high-stakes gambles.

Countless stories, strategies, and ambitions have ultimately coalesced into a powerful driving force.

Everyone understands that the 2022-2023 Premier League season will become even more exciting and brutal because of this unprecedentedly fierce "arms race".