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.
Arsenal keen to sign Aouar
Arsenal are interested in signing Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar in the final hours of the transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The 23-year-old, who has been capped once by France, was in talks with Tottenham over a possible move to North London.
But now it looks as though their rivals Arsenal could snatch him in the dying moments of the window.
Wolves end talks for Lille midfielder Sanches
Sky Sports understands Wolves have ended negotiations with Lille for Portuguese midfielder Renato Sanches.
Bruno Lage’s side were interested in bring the Euro 2016 winner to the club on a loan deal.
But they failed to agree the circumstances of the move and as a result it looks as though he will be staying in France with the Ligue 1 champions.
Wales international Roberts signs for Burnley
Wales full-back Conor Roberts has signed for Burnley for an undisclosed fee from Swansea City.
The 25-year-old, who played for his country at Euro 2020, will secure the move subject to international clearance.
Ex-Man Utd defender Fortune on Ronaldo
Former Manchester United defender Quinton Fortune has revealed Cristiano Ronaldo was just like Sir Alex Ferguson during his time at the club.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I was very fortunate to be on the same pitch as him. I saw him first in pre-season, when we played at Sporting Lisbon. Luckily for me, I was playing left-back and John O’Shea was right-back and he was playing on John O’Shea’s side. I was saying: ‘Please don’t come to my side, please...’
“After the game in the changing room, we all looked at each other, shook our heads and thought: ‘What in the world was that?’ [The only other time I’d experienced that was with] Ronaldo, the Brazilian.
“I think the boss went to sort out the deal straight after the game. What sets Cristiano Ronaldo apart from all other players is his mindset. He hasn’t just got the ability, he had the most unbelievable self-belief and work ethic. That’s why he’s still at the top of his game.
“He was relentless. He was almost like a bit of Sir Alex Ferguson on the pitch, he was a serial winner. He wanted to win everything, you tease him about something today and he’d want to come back tomorrow morning and beat you at it.”
AC Milan sign Adli and Traore
AC Milan have completed the signing of Bordeaux man Yacine Adli on a season-long loan deal until 2022.
The Italian side have also sewn up a deal for Chaka Traore from Parma, with the 16-year-old Ivorian completing his medical this morning.
James to meet up with Wales after Leeds medical
Wales forward Daniel James will meet up with the rest of his national team once he has completed his medical at Leeds.
The winger is edging ever closer towards a move to Marcelo Bielsa’s side from Manchester United for a reported £25 million.
And Wales boss Robert Page has confirmed James will travel to Finland to join the team afterwards.
He said: “I have to be flexible with the players. I can’t say he can’t leave. He’ll be rejoining the camp and will be in Finland.”
“Sir Alex, this is for you”
Cristiano Ronaldo attributed his return to Manchester United as being because of former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Scot coached Ronaldo during his six-year spell at Old Trafford.
Lyon interested in former Bayern Munich defender Boateng
Lyon are reportedly in talks to sign former Bayern Munich and Germany defender Jerome Boateng.
The 32-year-old is currently a free agent after his contract with the German champions expired in the summer.
As a result of his transfer status, there is no need for Lyon to complete the deal before the 11pm deadline tonight.
Sevilla value Kounde at €80 million
Sevilla director of football Monchi has said the club are holding out for €80 million for defender Jules Kounde.
Chelsea are keen to sign the French centre-back but have only offered €50 million and are a way off completing the deal.
Kounde was a part of France’s Euro 2020 squad.
Monchi said: “The only written, formal offer from Chelsea came last Wednesday, around 5pm.
“We weren’t satisfied with the offer, and it was linked to Chelsea selling a player. It was a decent fee but it didn’t meet our criteria.
“We haven’t spoken with Chelsea since Friday night. We all decided that it was best Jules didn’t travel to Elche. It’s normal for players to be affected by news of any kind. Last year he had the interest from City and now Chelsea this year.
“Kounde’s clause never went up to 90 million euros. It has always been 80 million.”
Chelsea deal for Saul looks dead in the water
A deal for Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez to join Chelsea has been blocked, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The long-time Atletico player has been heavily linked with a big-money move to Stamford Bridge.
But now it looks unlikely he is going anywhere, with Chelsea also struggling to get the transfer for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde over the line.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments