IN PICS | Big deals completed in football transfer window including Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham

The football transfer window has seen some lucrative deals as Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, and several other players have switched clubs in the close season. Argentina great Lionel Messi was also on the move as he left Paris Saint-Germain for Inter Miami. So here is a look at some of the most lucrative transfer deals completed as the 2023-24 season gets ready for kickoff.

Ilkay Gundogan swapped Manchester City for Barcelona on a free transfer at the end of his contract. The German midfielder, 32, agreed a two-year deal with the option for a year's extension and a release clause of 400 million euros ($436 million).

Manchester United clinched the signing of midfielder Mason Mount from Chelsea in a big money deal in July. Mount has signed the deal till the end of 2027-28 season, said United in a statement. The deal also has an option to extend the stay for another year, as he became another outcast player to leave 2021 Champions League winners Chelsea.

Premier League and European Champions Manchester City secured the signing of Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic after the Croatian joined in a $31.87 million deal. The signing was confirmed on Tuesday, June 27 evening as he became City’s first high-profile signing of the transfer window. Pep Guardiola’s men recently won the treble of the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League and will look to defend their crown next season.

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi signed a contract through the 2025 season with Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer team announced on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in June. The 36-year-old striker, who sparked Argentina to a World Cup title last year in Qatar, is set to make his MLS debut for the David Beckham owned franchise on Friday, July 20.

Arsenal signed German attacking midfielder Kai Havertz from Chelsea on a "long-term contract" at the start of July. However, neither club disclosed a fee but British media said Arsenal were paying Chelsea 65 million pounds or 75 million euros.  He was Arsenal's first signing of the summer as Declan Rice Jurrien Timber also came in the close season.

Jude Bellingham made the big money transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid earlier this summer 

Arsenal confirmed the signing of Declan Rice in a club-record deal worth $137 million from West United after the transfer saga came to an end on Saturday, July 15. Rice, a target for the Gunners in the summer was on the transfer list of manager Mikel Arteta after the midfielder confirmed his departure from West Ham United on the same day.

Premier League and European champions Manchester City on August 5 completed the signing of Croatia centre-back Josko Gvardiol on a five-year deal from RB Leipzig. No financial details were revealed but Pep Guardiola's side are understood to have agreed a fee of 90 million euros ($99 million) for the Croatia international.

Manchester United sealed their swoop for Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta for a reported fee of £64 million ($82 million) on Saturday. Hojlund agreed a five-year contract with the option of a further season as United manager Erik ten Hag finally got his wish to bring in a striker ahead of the new Premier League campaign.