Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea sign Saul Niguez as Barcelona’s Antoine Griezmann rejoins Atletico Madrid
Follow all the reaction after a thrilling transfer deadline day that saw a number of deals go to the wire
It was a tremendous transfer deadline day with several transfers completed with minutes to spare as the Premier League dominated the market once again in terms of total spend.
There were big deals elsewhere though, including Eduardo Camavinga signing for Real Madrid from Stade Rennais, but the one that didn’t happen dominated the headlines: Kylian Mbappe stays at Paris Saint-Germain, that’s despite the France international having just one year remaining on his contract and Real Madrid making a bid of £172m (€200m).
For PSG, it was all about the Champions League and they even splashed out late on Nuno Mendes to ram home the point and prove their strength to resist Los Blancos in the ongoing power struggle.
Cristiano Ronaldo is now officially a Manchester United player and was unveiled in a red shirt - though we now await what number he will wear at Old Trafford in his second spell at the club. The return of the Portuguese allowed Daniel James to move on and finally join Leeds United for £25m two years after coming as close as possible to signing for a team when he left Swansea.
Chelsea had a fine window, signing Romelu Lukaku and adding Saul Niguez late on via a loan, with an option to buy, though they did miss out on one big deal, centre-back Jules Kounde stays at Sevilla despite interest from the Blues.
Arsenal were the other busy club as the deadline expired, retaining the disgruntled Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who had spoken out on his desire to leave, while allowing Hector Bellerin to join Real Betis on loan and bringing in Japan right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna for around £17m.
There is still the potential to add free agents, which will be the route for Serge Aurier after his Tottenham contract was mutually ended, with Spurs signing Emerson Royal from Barcelona - here’s all the latest news and reaction to the summer transfer window.
Leeds complete signing of Man United winger James
Manchester United winger Daniel James is now...Leeds United winger Daniel James.
The Welsh flyer had been on the Elland Road club’s radar for quite some time, dating back to before he moved to Old Trafford, and Marcelo Bielsa is doubtless pleased to have landed an extra wide option for this season.
A £25m fee had been reported for the transfer.
Barcelona finally register Sergio Aguero
Barcelona have announced new contracts agree with first-team captains Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, which includes reductions to their salaries.
The club have been attempting to negotiate lowered deals with most of the first-team squad, with the dual approach of reducing costs and freeing up money to register new signings - and these two renegotiations have allowed them to do exactly that.
Sergio Aguero is now officially registered with the Spanish Football League and - once he recovers from injury - he’ll be eligible to make his debut for the Catalan side.
Daniel James ‘been told he can leave’ amid Leeds move
Manchester United winger Daniel James has completed his medical at Leeds United ahead of a £25 million transfer.
And Wales boss Robert Page believes James has been told by Manchester United that he can leave.
He said: “At this moment in time he’s been told he can leave and he’s got himself a move to a club that wants him.
“You want all your players to think like that. We all like confidence & being told we’re doing well. He’s no different to all players. We want them all playing competitive football at a club where they’re loved.”
Chelsea ‘working on’ Saul Niguez deal
The Athletic’s David Ornstein is reporting that Chelsea are ‘actively working’ on a deal for Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez
The Blues are keen to secure the 26-year-old on a loan move with the option to buy. There is now said to be ‘optimism’ that he will join Chelsea.
Saul is currently contracted to Atletico Madrid until 2026.
Sporting Lisbon’s Mendes put up for sale
Journalist Pedro Sepulveda has revealed that Sporting Lisbon have agreed to sell Nuno Mendes on the final day of the transfer window.
His agent Miguel Pinho is in contact with a number of contacts over a potential transfer for the 19-year-old left-back.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have all been contacted.
Ronaldo’s magical Manchester United moment
The transfer activity has died down a little in the last couple of hours.
For that reason, let’s take a look back at Manchester United’s newest signing Cristiano Ronaldo and one of his most memorable goals during his first stint at Old Trafford.
Remember this in the Champions League against Porto?
Deadline day
The most famous face in transfer deadline day history? Harry Redknapp with his head out of a car may just be the most iconic image.
Shame we won’t be getting that today...probably.
Carragher ‘not worried’ by Liverpool’s lack of business
Jamie Carragher has insisted he is not concerned that Liverpool have done very little business in the summer transfer market.
Jurgen Klopp’s only signing so far has been centre-back Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig, but that does not worry Carragher.
He told Sky Sports News: “I’m not worried about it (Liverpool’s lack of spending), that is their basic model and Liverpool’s owners do not have the revenue that Man City, or Roman Abramovich, or bring as much money in as Man Utd do.
“Liverpool have had a model since FSG have come in and it has worked spectacularly, it really has and they are seen as one of the best operators in the transfer market and how they go about their business.
“And what Liverpool do not do is make stupid decisions and do silly things in the transfer market that maybe we did when I was a player. Everyone was screaming at Liverpool that they had to do something with a centre back in January, but the one they wanted was not there.
“They waited this summer to get the one they wanted and when you see what Chelsea are doing in bringing in Lukaku, which is a fantastic signing, but Liverpool would not pay that money for a 28-year-old striker, they would not have gone in for Harry Kane with those figures for a 28-year-old, they would not have bought a Ronaldo-type at 36.
“They do not do that, they have a set way of doing things and it has proved very successful, so I think it is really difficult to criticise what Michael Edwards and his team and FSG have done since they have been at the club really. We do not have the revenues of other clubs and this year, the revenue will be going on new contracts and I’m sure next season there will be maybe money then spent in the transfer market.”
Most shocking deadline day transfers
Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano have to be two of the most famous deadline day transfers of all-time.
The duo signed for West Ham out of absolutely nowhere back in 2006. Tevez saved them from relegation but Mascherano failed to deliver at Upton Park.
Tevez went on to Manchester United and then Manchester United. Mascherano moved to Liverpool and then Barcelona.
Lineker excited by Neymar-Messi-Mbappe trio
Kylian Mbappe looks as though he is going to stay put at Paris Saint-Germain this summer amid stalling negotiations with Real Madrid.
The 22-year-old will likely line up in a front three alongside Neymar and Lionel Messi.
And Gary Lineker is beyond excited about the trio linking up with one another.
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