The just concluded summer transfer window has brought with it many sagas for various clubs, as deals have collapsed, world record deals have been sealed and unexpected moves have been concluded. Manchester United’s move to sign Paul Pogba is definitely the biggest deal of the summer, and the biggest deal done by an English club in the just concluded transfer window, while Barcelona definitely have conducted the best transfer business in Spain with the acquisition of several talented players who include midfielder Andre Gomes and French defender Samuel Umtiti. Bayern Munich and Dortmund also conducted splendid business in Germany. But the best drama and twists are always experienced on transfer deadline day, and this window’s transfer deadline day was not different.
Let’s take a look at crucial deadline day deals, the first being the return of Brazilian defender David Luiz to Chelsea in a deal worth £30 million, 2 years after selling him to PSG in a £40 million deal. The former PSG defender fell down the pecking order at the French club, and his decision to go back to Stamford Bridge drew mixed reactions among the fans. Chelsea’s search for a defender had seen them traverse Europe, with links to Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly and AS Roma defender Kostas Manolas some months ago. It wasn’t a happy day for Juan Cuadrado Chelsea fans as he was shipped back to Juventus on a three-year loan deal after impressing at the Turin club last season. Chelsea also secured the signing of defender Marcos Alonso from Fiorentina on a five-year deal, after paying the Italian club £23 million. Chelsea also allowed Ghanaian attacker Christian Atsu to join Newcastle United on loan.
Another deal that accelerated late on in the transfer period involved Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere. The England midfielder’s career hasn’t been on a rising trajectory because of injuries, no wonder Arsenal were fine with him joining Bournemouth on a season-long loan. Bournemouth will pay around £5 million in loan fees and wage contributions. His parent club is fully stocked in midfield though, after bringing in Granit Xhaka. Maligned Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli was another high profile name involved on the penultimate day, after moving to French club OGC Nice on a free transfer from Liverpool. He had previously been linked with other European clubs, including Manchester United during the transfer window. Liverpool also sold Luis Alberto to Italian club Lazio for 5 million euros, while defender Andre Wisdom completed a season-long loan deal to Red Bull Salzburg.
Victor Wanyama’s club, Tottenham Hotspur also had a busy transfer deadline day, as they secured the signing of French midfielder Moussa Sissoko from Newcastle on a five-year deal for £30 million. The French midfielder had made his desire to move away from Newcastle public, as he was angling for a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. There were also departures at the London club, with Clinton Njie moving to Marseille on a season-long loan.
Manchester City were not left behind, as they sent defender Eliaquim Mangala on a season-long loan deal to Valencia. The defender wasn’t a favourite of Pep Guardiola, and the Spanish coach had already used Aleksandar Kolarov in central defence ahead of him. Man city attacker Samir Nasri also left the club, as he joined Sevilla on a season-long loan deal. Ivorian striker Wilfried Bony was also shipped out. He joined Stoke City on a season-long loan deal, with the club paying £2 million as loan fees. Meanwhile, defender Jason Denayer moved to Sunderland on loan. With Joe Hart’s move to Italian club Torino confirmed, it seems Pep Guardiola has got the deals he wanted and needed.
Defending premier league champions Leicester City were also keen to strengthen their attacking options and they did so by acquiring the services of striker Islam Slimani on a five year contract for £25.4 million. Ecuadorian striker Enner Valencia completed his move to Everton from West Ham just in time. All over Europe, deals were being done on the last day, in the last hours, and some of the big deals include former Man city and AC Milan midfielder Nigel de Jong moved to Galatasaray on a 2 year contract from LA Galaxy, former Real Madrid keeper Diego Lopez moved to Spanish club Espanyol on loan, while Ezequiel Garay moved to Valencia from Zenit St. Petersburg. Juventus failed to sign Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel, as his club Zenit St. Petersburg stopped the deal at the last minute.
