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.
Barcelona striker chase included Cavani and Icardi
Barcelona now look as though they won’t be adding any further names this summer, which effectively means no replacement in attack for Lionel Messi - as if there was one, anyway.
But in the past couple of days they have been speaking to representatives of two in particular; we earlier brought news of interest in Man United forward Edinson Cavani, and now Spanish journalist Santi Aouna claims they also looked at PSG’s Mauro Icardi.
His salary, however, made it an impossible deal to pursue.
Dortmund secure defender Pongracic on loan
Wolfsburg defender Marin Pongracic has agreed a one-year loan deal which will see him join Borussia Dortmund for the 2021-22 campaign.
The 23-year-old, who has played for the Croatian national team, only arrived at Wolfsburg 18 months ago.
But he has already been temporarily move on to German rivals Dortmund.
Sevilla confirm Kounde’s release clause remains at €80m
Chelsea target Jules Kounde is available for €80m (£69m), but Sevilla sporting director Monchi says there has been no further contacts between the clubs since Friday.
He says the France international was left out of the squad over the weekend due to the ongoing rumours, but the only “written, formal offer” was last Wednesday. That was not accepted, says Monchi, and was based on Chelsea selling a player - rumoured to be Kurt Zouma, who has since departed for West Ham.
No further bids - but Chelsea could deposit the release clause at any moment, of course, up until tonight’s deadline.
Juve bid farewell to Ronaldo
Let’s not forget that Juventus are saying goodbye to Cristiano Ronaldo this morning after three years with the club.
The 36-year-old scored a sensational 101 goals in 134 games for the Italian giants.
However, unfortunately for him, it is likely he will be remembered for failing to win them the Champions League.
Everton interested in Rondon
The BBC have reported that Everton are looking into signing former Newcastle United striker Salomon Rondon.
The 31-year-old Venezuelan, who is currently playing in China, was a regular feature on Tyneside under Rafa Benitez.
And now the Spanish manager is seeking a replacement for Moise Kean following his departure back to Juventus.
West Ham confirm Kurt Zouma squad number
The Hammers added Zouma from Chelsea to their squad and he has been given the No4.
A big boost to David Moyes’ squad in the last day or two, with the France international recently being joined by Nikola Vlasic in signing.
Ronaldo’s career stats
Breathtaking career statistics. 783 goals and 226 assists in 1074 appearances!
Liverpool defender Rhys Williams set for Championship loan
Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams steered Liverpool toward a third-place finish last season after an injury crisis left Jurgen Klopp without centre-backs. That issue is over now, leaving the duo without likely action.
Phillips could yet be sold if a bid comes in today, but the younger of the pair Williams is off on loan, more than likely.
Swansea are keen, reports Paul Joyce of the Times.
West Ham interested in Kral
West Ham are looking at the possibility of signing Spartak Moscow midfielder Alex Kral before the window shuts at 11pm.
If a deal is to get done then it is expected to be a loan with the option to buy because a permanent transfer is unlikely to be completed with less than 12 hours remaining.
Kral was in Czech Republic’s Euro 2020 squad alongside West Ham duo Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal.
Tomiyasu deal agreed with Arsenal
Journalist Fabrizio Romano is reporting that a deal for Takehiro Tomiyasu has been agreed.
Personal terms have been completed and a fee of €20 million plus €3 million in add ons will be paid to Bologna.
He is set to undergo a medical this afternoon.
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