Ex-Man United and Arsenal man and World Cup hero among transfers you may have missed

With so many high-profile players on the move this summer, a number of deals have slipped under the radar.

While most were busy thinking about Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski’s next clubs, others were getting their business done early.

A bunch of recognisable names from the world of football have already switched sides this summer with little more than a whisper.

Here, talkSPORT.com takes a look at some of the transfers from the 2022 window that you might’ve missed…

Axel Witsel to Atletico Madrid

Everyone knows Witsel as the first name on Roberto Martinez’s Belgium team sheet.

In a star-studded Red Devils XI, which has featured some of the best names from the Premier League in recent years, the holding midfielder has been a mainstay having provided a base for Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne.

Witsel has also been a crucial player for Borussia Dortmund but his exit has been buried underneath a host of other big Dortmund departures, such as Erling Haaland, Marcel Schmelzer and sporting director Michael Zorc.

Nevertheless, Witsel has sealed a free transfer to Atletico Madrid.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Inter Milan

Once billed as Manchester United’s star signing, Europe still has a soft spot for Mkhitaryan.

The Armenian forward, who managed to underwhelm at both United and Arsenal, is working his way back to prominence in Italy.

After impressing for three seasons at Roma, the 33-year-old has now joined Inter Milan on a free transfer.

Mario Gotze to Eintracht Frankfurt

Remember him? No matter what happens, Gotze will always be the man who won the 2014 World Cup for Germany.

That said, the forward probably wishes his career was a bit more memorable after that.

After moving between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, eventually falling out of favour at both German clubs, Gotze spent the last two years at PSV Eindhoven, where he failed to set the world alight.

Now 30 years olf, the former wonderkid is back in the Bundesliga after Eintracht Frankfurt activated a £3.4million release clause.

Corentin Tolisso to Lyon

Having left Lyon for Bayern Munich for £34.8m in 2017, the France midfielder has made a triumphant return.

In fact, Lyon seem to be getting the band back together, having also re-signed ex-Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette on a free transfer.

Now 27 years old, Tolisso remains a highly-rated talent whose time in Germany was disrupted by injury.

He still managed to land five Bundesliga titles and the Champions League, alongside his 2018 World Cup winners’ medal, though. Not bad.

Hector Herrera to Houston Dynamo

The tough-tackling midfielder has snapped up one of those lucrative Designated Player contracts in Major League Soccer.

Given he is captain of Mexico and only 32 years old, Herrera becomes one of the more high-profile players to have a crack at football in the States.

It is about time some of Diego Simeone’s s***housery was introduced over there.

Andre-Franck Anguissa to Napoli

It is easy to forget Anguissa was on Fulham’s books for four years, given he basically disappeared whenever they got relegated.

Having signed in 2018, he was loaned out to Villarreal following the Cottagers’ relegation in 2019.

He returned for the 2020/21 Premier League campaign – and then left on loan once again following another relegation.

His latest club, Napoli, were so impressed that they snapped him up for £14.7m – which should help Fulham fund their summer business.