Last week Colombian striker Teofilo Gutierrez completed his move from Argentine giants River Plate to Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon. Gutierrez is the most recent Latin American player on the move this summer as Europe's heavyweights set their sights on Latin American players, as the action in the pre-season transfer window in Europe heats up.
Gutierrez, who joined Sporting for $1.7 million, is not the only Colombian to be moving this season, as Los Cafeteros entire striking force from the Copa America have moved on to pastures new. Headline move is superstar Radamel Falcao, who continues his attempts to return to his best form after a devastating injury in January 2014, with a move to Premier League champions Chelsea, with Jose Mourihno vowing to restore El Tigre to his former predatory best.
Fellow strikers Jackson Martinez and Carlos Bacca both ended months of speculation around their future by sealing moves away from their clubs Porto and Sevilla respectively. Jackson agreed a five-year deal with Argentine coach Diego Simeone´s Atletico Madrid side and Carlos Bacca joined fallen Italian giants AC Milan in the hope of restarting Rossinieri´s resurgence after several disappointing seasons.
Brazilian international Roberto Firminho has joined the long list of Brazilians playing their trade in the English Premier League, after signing a $29 million deal to Liverpool from German side Hoffenheim. Firminho, who was one of the few impressive Brazilian players at the Copa America has spared much excitement in Liverpool as the potential savior of the Anfield side, who slumped to a sixth place finish last season after promising to be title contenders following several big signings last season.
German champions Bayern Munich have also been busy this summer, sealing deals for Brazilian midfielder Douglas Costa. They are also set to announce the signing of Chilean Arturo Vidal, who after starring during his nations Copa America success leaves Italian giants Juventus after several hugely successful years in Turin.
Big name Latin Americans have been departing Europe as well, with Argentine marksman Carlos Tevez returning to Buenos Aires and Boca Juniors, where he started his career. The return to the Argentine capital will be an emotional journey for Tevez who left Boca controversially in 2005, but has been welcomed back as a hero at the Bombonera.
Tevez has been followed out of Europe by Mexican playmaker Giovanni Dos Santos, who leaves Villareal in Spain to a take a Designated Player place at MLS champions LA Galaxy. Dos Santos may not be the only Mexican joining the MLS this summer, as Manchester United hitman Javier ´Chicharito´ Hernandez continues to be linked with a move to the US as his situation with United remains uncertain. Hernandez spent last season on loan at Spanish giants Real Madrid, but having returned to Old Trafford is not considered part of manager Louis Van Gaal´s plans.
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