Ranking the Best World Football Transfers so Far

There is still a long way to go before the transfer window closes, but several massive signings have already gone through, including those of Radamel Falcao, Emanuele Giaccherini, Edinson Cavani, Neymar, Paulinho, Isco, Mario Gomez and Thiago Alcantara. 

Here are my top World Football transfers so far. 

Ranking is based on the predicted effectiveness the signed player will have at his new club, the player's chances of personal success and the market savvy that brought him there. 

Honorable Mentions

Before we get started, here are some Honorable Mentions. 

Emanuele Giaccherini to Sunderland, £6.5 Million

Sunderland have something to look forward to in the form of the stout Italian International. If the Confederation's Cup is an accurate way to judge the striker, he'll be contributing a much needed bit of flair in addition to a few goals to his new club. 

Isco to Real Madrid, €23 Million

As I mentioned in a previous article, Isco is a youngster with a bright future. It was only a matter of time before a big club like Real snatched him up. His guile and pace will be a great asset in the next few years as Real attempt to reclaim the Champions League. It was a difficult decision to place him out of the top picks, but ultimately the competition for a starting spot at Real was the deciding factor. 

Radamel Falcao to Monaco, €60 Million 

He's Falcao. He scores goals for fun. Any team would be happy to have his services, especially newly promoted Monaco. If you've got the money to spend, as Monaco does, than you'll be provided with goals. It's a deal Falcao promises. But his desire to go to Monaco in the first place is still a strange one, so for his sake I've not put him in the top five. 

Thiago Alcantara

Player: Thiago Alcantara 

Transferred From: Barcelona

To: Bayern Munich

Price: €25 Million  

Can Bayern Munich get any stronger? They just did, thanks to the signing of Thiago Alcantara. 

Manchester United will rue their inability to sign the midfielder who snubbed the Red Devils due to Pep Guardiola's desire to reclaim one of his pupils from Barcelona. 

"Either Thiago, or nothing," said Guardiola, in quotes given to Deutsche Welle, when initially asked about the Bayern's transfer season. 

Well, he was given what he desired.

Thiago's qualities can't be questioned. Besides his experience with Barcelona, he recently captained Spain's U21 team to a European Championship win and was named the best player of the tournament. 

But, despite his class, I haven't included him higher up on the list for one reason: Although he's extremely versatile and may be favored by Guardiola, he's competing for a spot on the team amongst some of Europe's greatest midfielders.

Javi Martinez, Toni Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Mario Gotze, Luiz Gustavo and Thomas Muller all stand in his way.

So, although he's still a young player and will benefit from playing for a team like Bayern, Thiago may very well struggle to find a regular spot, something a smaller team would have guaranteed.

Paulinho

Player: Paulinho

Transferred From: Corinthians 

To: Tottenham Hotspur

Price: £17 Million 

For a moment Paulinho could have ended up anywhere. His displays in Brazil with Corinthians were amplified by his performance during the Confederations Cup, and he was duly being courted by all of Europe's biggest teams.

But, in the end, the unlikely Tottenham Hotspur came out on top, beating the likes of rivals Arsenal and Manchester United, among others. 

Spurs will be rewarded for their investment. Paulinho is the perfect modern box-to-box midfielder that's so avidly sought after in today's game. 

Spur's seem to have an ideal midfield combination to fit in Paulinho, whose best qualities emerged with Brazil while playing alongside Gustavo and Oscar. At Spurs, Sandro or Scott Parker can be used as defensive midfielders like Gustavo, with Moussa Dembele providing the Oscar-like creative thrust. 

Although Spurs won't be competing in the Champions League this year, Paulinho does seem guaranteed a regular starting spot in the team, which will be essential to his growth as a player (as well as his future price tag) and Spur's chances of breaking into the top four. 

In quotes given to Sky Sports, he said, "I am moving from one big club to Tottenham, another club in a big league. I am sure I will perform my job to the best of my ability. I don't regret and I won't regret [this decision]."

It's still too soon to be certain, but I don't believe he will have any regrets either. 

Mario Gomez

Player: Mario Gomez

Transferred From: Bayern Munich

To: Fiorentina 

Price: €15.5 Million  

Perhaps I was the only one who was stunned to see Mario Gomez overlooked by half of Europe, eventually signing for Europa League hopefuls Fiorentina. 

As I discuss more in depth in a previous article, Gomez is poised to play a major role in a rejuvenated Fiorentina side which is shaping up to be a formidable, balanced squad that should qualify for Champions League football next year. 

Even before Gomez's arrival, his strike partner Giuseppe Rossi said he believed Fiorentina could win Serie A, as Goal.com reports. 

With Gomez, that statement, however unlikely, seems slightly less audacious. 

Ultimately, although it's a hefty price for Fiorentina, €15.5 million for Gomez seems like a bargain.

He is, after all, an International striker still in his prime. He has experienced winning at every level of the game and has consistently demonstrated his knack for scoring goals. He's been criticized for lacking pace, but the slower pace of Serie A will mean this flaw is negligible. 

As James Horncastle of ESPNFC.COM rightfully notes, "Mario Gomez seemed like the type of player who always needed an arm around his shoulder, and Fiorentina was more than happy to oblige."

The excitement of Fiorentina fans, 20,000 of whom filled the Artemio Franchi stadium to greet the new striker, will only help ensure Gomez provides the goods. 

Edinson Cavani

Player: Edinson Cavani 

Transferred From: Napoli 

To: Paris Saint-Germain

Price: €64 Million 

After much speculation, Cavani has finally switched clubs, joining the big-spending French capital club.

Although Cavani will certainly feel the pressure to justify his record-breaking transfer fee, its PSG's own dynamic which may be threatened with the signing of another big striker. 

With seemingly indispensable funds, it's difficult to not be tempted to sweep up every big name out there on the market, especially a player like Cavani who has proven to be one of the world's most prolific strikers.

However, the question remains how Cavani's presence will affect the likes of current PSG star Zlatan Ibrahimovic. 

Like Neymar and Messi, tactically, Cavani and Zlatan should be compatible, as Jonathan Johnson of B/R discusses.

However, on and off the pitch, we all know Zlatan has a personality unlike any other. Besides scoring outrageous overhead goals and winning titles, he's a man who likes to speak in the third person, kung fu kick his teammates and create rows with staff.

While the rest of his team celebrated their first Ligue 1 title in 19 years in the locker room, Zlatan got into a fight with Sporting Director Leonardo.

Although an unhappy Zlatan can still score goals (take for example his "unsuccessful" 16 goals for Barcelona), keeping Zlatan happy is key to unlocking his true potential.

It was a relatively happy Zlatan that this year alone scored 30 goals in 34 appearances for PSG.

Will Cavani upset Zlatan? Does PSG risk losing one of the world's great strikers for another? And if Zlatan does leave, can Cavani successfully fill his shoes?  

As undoubtedly great Cavani is, the risk involved for his transfer plays a major role in the placement of this slide. 

Neymar

Player: Neymar

Transferred From: Santos 

To: Barcelona 

Price: €57 Million

There has been speculation about whether or not Neymar can fit into a team that also includes the likes of Lionel Messi.

After his performances with Brazil during the Confederations Cup, it's clear that setting aside all matters off the pitch, the duo should, tactically, be just fine. 

While both players are equally versatile (and they will need to be to continue to employ the free-flowing, false-nine style of Barcelona), Messi seems best deployed through the middle or slightly out to the right where he can cut back onto his favored left foot, as Sam Tighe of B/R analyzes in more detail. 

Neymar, meanwhile, seems best suited to a wide position, preferably on the left side, as Sam Tighe of B/R continues. 

Together, they should make one of the most fearsome attacks in the whole world.

Very much like Cavani and Zlatan, the question, however, remains: Can Messi deal with the pressure of a new boy stealing his limelight? 

Messi reveals that he's relaxed about the matter. In quotes given to ESPN.co.uk, he stated that he believes Neymar is "a good guy," adding that Neymar will have no problems adapting to life with Barcelona. 

Finally, in terms of whether or not Neymar can live up to his massive price tag, thanks to the Confederations Cup, doubters (including myself) have been silenced. 

Neymar seems uncharacteristically mature for his age and talent, capable of handling any pressure thrown his way, and Barcelona's investment soon won't seem as vast as €57 million might initially suggest.