Footnotes #1: Félix consistency, Textor troubles, sponsorless kits, and the arms manufacturer

Welcome to the first edition of Footnotes, where I'll share my perspective on the events and stories shaping the football industry. Click subscribe above to be notified of each edition.

So, this is my starting XI:

The long-running Jo?o Félix-Simeone saga comes to an end (1). An interesting market for Atlético (2). Most expensive transfers of the week (3). What about Saudi Arabia? (4) No rush to get new signings on the field (5). Sponsorless (and fashionable) kits (6). Borussia and the arms manufacturer (7). East London ticket prices (8). John Textor's new adventure and problems in France (9). Fresh money from music stars (10). The German reshuffle (11).

1. The long-running Jo?o Félix-Simeone saga comes to an end

This unfortunate chapter in Jo?o Félix's career has finally ended, with the Portugal international joining Chelsea this week for 52 million euros.

That's not even half of what Enrique Cerezo's club paid for Benfica in 2019/20 (127 million euros, including 7 million used by Atlético to finance the operation), but it's enough to put him in the top 10 global transfers of the current summer - by an inch (Douglas Luiz, 11th, cost Juventus €51.5 million).

Jo?o Félix had some moments of brilliance during his loan spell at Barcelona last season, and his 10 goals and 6 assists, mostly in La Liga and the Champions League, should not be underestimated, but his performances lacked consistency.

Interestingly, while we talk about consistency issues, Jo?o Felix has scored 9 or 10 goals every season in all competitions since leaving Benfica. He has also provided 3 assists twice and 5 on two other occasions (he improved to 6 last season).

Is Chelsea the right place for him? The pressure is there for the Portuguese.

2. An interesting market for Atlético

At the same time, Conor Gallagher has strengthened Simeone's squad in the opposite direction — the England international cost 42 million euros. Indeed, it has been an interesting transfer market for Atlético. After losing Morata to Milan, they have brought in two centre-forwards - Manchester City's Julian Alvarez, the most expensive transfer of the year at 75 million euros, and Villarreal's Sorloth, La Liga's second-highest scorer last season. Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad), the centre-back who just won the European Championship with Spain, is also a strong signing.

3. Most expensive transfers of the week

These were the most expensive transfers of the last 7 days, according to Transfermarkt data:

- Jo?o Félix, second striker, from Atlético to Chelsea, €52 million

- Désiré Doué, left winger, from Rennes to PSG, €50 million

- Georginio Rutter, centre-forward, from Leeds to Brighton, €47 million

- Conor Gallagher, centre-midfielder, from Chelsea to Atlético, €42 million

- Evanilson, centre-forward, from Porto to Bournemouth, €37 million

- Joachim Andersen, centre-back, from Crystal Palace to Fulham, €30 million

- Wilson Odobert, left winger, from Burnley to Tottenham, €29 million

- David Neres, right winger, from Benfica to Napoli, €28 million

- Oliver Skipp, defensive midfielder, from Tottenham to Leicester, €24 million

- Sepp van den Berg, centre-back, from Liverpool to Brentford, €24 million

- Sander Berge, central midfielder, from Burnley to Fulham, €24 million

This was also the week of Gundogan's return to Manchester City on a free transfer.

4. What about Saudi Arabia?

After spending more than 700 million euros last season (just on transfer fees), it's been a quiet transfer window. Winger Moussa Diaby left Aston Villa for €60 million (the second biggest ever in the Saudi league), but that's about it. Only two other players in the world's top 100 transfers went to Arabia: Ezequiel Fernández (19 million euros from Boca Juniors) and Brazilian goalkeeper Bento (18 million euros from Athletico Paranaense). Aubameyang (from Marseille) and Nacho Fernández (from Real Madrid) are also high-profile signings - but at a low price. Let's see what happens before the end of the market.

5. No rush to get new signings on the field

In England, there's no rush to show the new signings. Last weekend, only three clubs in the Premier League (Brighton, West Ham, and Wolverhampton) made more than one change to their starting XI from last season, while the 17 clubs that remained in the Premier League fielded 178 of their usual starting XI out of 187. As Athletic says, you'd expect more from the richest league in the world, but there's the other side of the coin, as these clubs can retain most of their talent.

6. Sponsorless (and fashionable) kits

Some clubs, such as FC Versailles in the French third division and Union Berlin in the German Bundesliga, are still waiting for better deals on shirt sponsorship and, as a result, their shirts are unbranded for the time being. "We will decide calmly and carefully which partner will take the place on our shirt," said the German club, who are "currently studying the companies that have already expressed interest". And so the club began the season by promoting its city on the players' shirts. Similarly, Versailles is trying to meet the challenge of preserving the club's identity while developing a "strong, coherent, and inspiring brand". The semi-professional club, which has Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasley as an investor, refuses to "compromise" its image "for short-term gains", FC Versailles president Alexandre Mulliez wrote this week.

By the way, Versailles has some fashionable shirts.

7. Borussia and the arms manufacturer

Waiting for other sponsors is probably what Borussia Dortmund should have done, given the furious reaction of some of its fans. The reason? A sponsorship deal with an arms manufacturer.

8. East London ticket prices

Some West Ham fans have also been unhappy recently, but for a different reason: the price of tickets.

9. John Textor's new adventure and problems in France

John Textor is trying to buy Everton after failing to take control of Crystal Palace. Under Premier League rules, the American billionaire must sell his 45% stake in the South London club if he's to move on. Textor, who also owns Lyon in France, Botafogo in Brazil and Molambeek in Belgium, has now been granted an exclusive period by Everton's owners to negotiate a deal. This comes after talks failed with 777 Partners (owners of Genoa, Hertha Berlin, Vasco da Gama, and others) and the Friedkin Group (which controls Roma) broke down.

The situation in France is also far from perfect for Textor, both owner and chairman of Lyon. The club has promised the French football authorities that it will make 100 million euros from selling players this summer. And they are sending out the message that everyone is for sale from now on, L'Equipe reports. [French]

10. Fresh money from music stars

European football clubs continue to attract money from showbiz, the latest being Ed Sheeran, a long-time supporter of Premier League side Ipswich Town. The singer has acquired 1.4% of the club.

Also this month, Drake, who previously teamed up with basketball star LeBron James to take a stake in AC Milan, has invested in Venezia, from Italian Serie A.

11. The German reshuffle

It is a new era for Germany, with Manuel Neur, Thomas Müller, and now Ilkay Gündogan all announcing their retirement from the national team. Toni Kroos, meanwhile, has called time on his career.

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