The 2024 summer transfer window didn’t produce the galáctico-level shocks of years past, but it did give us a wonderfully eclectic collection of odd, surprising and downright baffling moves. From superstar loans to unexpected geographical leaps, here are five of the strangest transfers of the 2024 window.

Victor Osimhen: Napoli – Galatasaray (loan)

Arguably the most jaw-dropping move of the summer. Victor Osimhen, one of the most sought-after strikers in world football and a Serie A champion only a season prior, ended up on loan at Galatasaray.

The reasons? A mix of collapsed mega-money bids, complex negotiations, and Napoli’s willingness to find a temporary solution. Still, seeing a forward once linked to PSG, Chelsea and Saudi Arabia suddenly plying his trade in the Süper Lig was a genuine curveball.

Jamal Lewis: Newcastle United – São Paulo (loan)

It’s rare, extremely rare, to see a British player head to South America, and even rarer to do so on loan. That’s exactly what happened when Jamal Lewis swapped Newcastle for Brazilian giants São Paulo.

The move, a total departure from the traditional UK-to-Europe career pathway, caught plenty of fans off guard. Lewis embraced the opportunity quickly, calling it an easy decision, but from the outside it looked like one of the most unexpected relocations of the window.

Michy Batshuayi: Fenerbahçe – Galatasaray (free transfer)

Some transfers are surprising not because of the player involved, but because of the clubs. Michy Batshuayi making the direct switch from Fenerbahçe to bitter rivals Galatasaray, and on a free, is one of those cases.

Crossing one of world football’s fiercest divides is a bold move. Batshuayi had become something of a cult figure in Istanbul, but joining the neighbours ensured he’ll be remembered for far more than just his goals.

Scott McTominay: Manchester United – Napoli (permanent)

A move that felt both logical and strange at the same time. Scott McTominay, a Manchester United academy graduate and lifelong Red, left Old Trafford to join Napoli.

Financially it made sense, United needed to make a homegrown sale to help with profit and sustainability rules, but sentimentally, it was a shock. Few expected McTominay to depart at this stage of his career, let alone for Serie A’s 2023 champions.

John Lundstram: Rangers – Trabzonspor (free)

Not the biggest headline of the summer, but quietly one of its most unusual. John Lundstram, who had spent his entire career in the UK, decided at age 30 to take on a new challenge in Turkey with Trabzonspor.

It wasn’t a move many predicted, and while it lacked glamour, it was a striking example of a player opting for a late-career adventure outside his comfort zone.

Honourable Mention: Ollie McBurnie: Sheffield United – Las Palmas (free)

Another Brit abroad, and an unexpected one. Ollie McBurnie made the switch to La Liga with Las Palmas, marking his first move outside the UK. It was a quirky, fun addition to the window’s list of unexpected transfers.

Final Thoughts

Transfers don’t need to involve nine-figure fees to be fascinating. Sometimes, it’s the odd fits, unlikely destinations and left-field decisions that make a window memorable.

Whether these moves turn out to be strokes of genius or footnotes in football trivia, they were undeniably among the most surprising of summer 2024.

Which transfer did you find the strangest?