In Pictures: Europe’s big summer transfers

Chelsea FC shocked many when they took a chance on young Andre Villas Boas as their next manager. Owner Roman Abramovich had to pay over $20 million to AVB(***)s (as we shall now know him) former club Porto to trigger his release. The Portugeuse manager has been compared to Jose Mourinho and will be under great pressure to win the Premier League this season. [GALLO/GETTY]

There was plenty of interest in Aston Villa(***)s Ashley Young at the start of the summer break. Unsurprisingly it was Alex Ferguson who won the war to sign him. The Manchester United manager was keen to bring the pacey winger to the club after signing another England player Phil Jones from Blackburn Rovers. [GALLO/GETTY]

Manchester United continued their spending spree when they replaced ageing goalkeeper Edwin van der Saar with Atletico Madrid(***)s David de Gea. To get their man, United had to part with over $30 million and de Gea became the second most expensive goalkeeper after Juventus(***) Gianluigi Buffon. [GALLO/GETTY]

Portugal(***)s Fabio Coentrao became Real Madrid(***)s fifth signing of the summer. He joined Turkish duo Nuri Sahin and Hamit Altintop, Jose Maria Callejon and Frenchman Raphael Varane under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho. Madrid are now out to seek revenge on Europe(***)s champions Barcelona. [GALLO/GETTY]

New recruit of Bayern Munich Jerome Boateng addresses the media wearing some trendy glasses on July 17. The German, and former Manchester City player, was one of many new signings for Bayern. [GALLO/GETTY]

Gervinho caught the eye of Arsenal after he scored 15 goals for Lille and helped them to seal the double last season. He joins a growing number of Ivorians in the Premier League. Didier Drogba, Emmanuel Eboe and Yaya Toure are just a few of the players from the Ivory Coast plying their trade in Europe. [GALLO/GETTY]

Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez said he wanted "Barcelona or nobody" and got his way when he became Pep Guardiola(***)s first new summer signing. It cost Barca around $38 million to pry the player away from Spanish rivals Udinese. [GALLO/GETTY]

It was smiles all round as Sergio Aguero moved from Atletico Madrid to Manchester City for a reported $62 million. Aguero is the most expensive signing in City(***)s history. Nicknamed "the kun" Aguero married Maradona(***)s daughter making this little boy the footballing legend(***)s grandson. [GALLO/GETTY]

And the ever so nearly men. Carlos Tevez has been very vocal about his desire to leave Manchester City, however, so far City have been unable to find the star a new home. The extremely talented striker wants to move closer to his children back in South America. [GALLO/GETTY]

There is one Premier League player in particular we have heard far too much about over the football break. And so the "Cesc Fabregas Saga" continues... but on the subject of whether he stays at Arsenal or moves to Barcelona, it is likely nobody really cares anymore. [GALLO/GETTY]