Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea sign Aubameyang, Arsenal’s Luiz bid rejected, Liverpool confirm Arthur
Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Man City, Leeds, Barcelona, PSG and many more were busy on deadline day
The transfer window closed with a flurry of late activity, as Chelsea signed the former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on a two-year deal from Barcelona. Aubameyang, who will wear the number 9 shirt at Stamford Bridge, was finally announced after midnight and was followed by the loan signing of midfielder Denis Zakaria from Juventus as Chelsea’s busy summer of transfer business concluded with two major deals.
Liverpool signed Arthur on loan from Juventus to ease their midfield injury problems but Arsenal‘s late chase of Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz ended in disappointment. Arsenal saw three bids rejected, the last around £25m, with Aston Villa holding out for £40m for a player out of contract next summer.
Earlier, Manchester United completed the signing of Antony from Ajax for €100m in the biggest deal of transfer deadline day. The Brazilian international has put pen to paper on a contract at Old Trafford that runs until 2027, and was followed by goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, who has joined on a season-long loan from Newcastle.
Elsewhere, Manuel Akanji sealed his move to Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund on a five-year deal while Leicester made their first outfield signing of the window as they announced the arrival of Belgium international Wout Faes from Reims. He replaces Wesley Fofana, who joined Chelsea for £70m on Wednesday.
Follow all the latest twists and turns on transfer deadline day below.
Man Utd transfer news: Cristiano Ronaldo decision, Antony, Dubravka, Gakpo, Dest and more on deadline day?
Manchester United have completed their biggest signing of the summer just hours before the transfer deadline.
The arrival of Antony in a €100m deal from Ajax has been their biggest signing of the window, adding to the transfers of Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen earlier this summer.
United have picked up some momentum on the field with back-to-back wins over Liverpool and Southampton, and Erik ten Hag’s side have a testing week ahead starting with a trip to Leicester tonight and then Arsenal on Sunday.
As the uncertainty around Cristiano Ronaldo’s future continues, who else might be coming and going before the window closes, or is United’s business finally completed?
Man Utd transfer news: Ronaldo, Antony, Dubravka, Gakpo, Dest and more
Could there be deadline day drama at Old Trafford and a busy end to the summer transfer window?
Batshuayi set to join Forest on loan
Here’s something everyone can get behind: Michy Batshuayi is signing for Nottingham Forest!
So reports Fabrizio Romano, who in the process reminds us that the Belgian striker is still somehow on Chelsea’s books. It is, of course, a loan deal, and will be his sixth loan with a fifth different club since joining Chelsea in 2016.
Batshuayi is 28, which feels simultaneously too old and too young. He scored 14 Super Lig goals for Besiktas last season and his international record of 25 goals in 45 games suggests there is a prolific striker in there somewhere.
He is Forest’s 19th signing this summer after Willy Boly joined from Wolves earlier today.
Done deal: Antony >Manchester United
Manchester United have completed the signing of Brazil winger Antony from Ajax for an initial fee of 95 million euros (£82.1m) on the final day of the summer transfer window.
A deal was already in place between the two clubs, with United agreeing to a potential five million euros (£4.3m) in add-ons, making Antony the fourth most expensive signing in Premier League history.
He has put pen to paper on a contract that runs until 2027, with the option of an additional year, and follows Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro through the door this summer.
“This is an incredible moment in my career to be joining one of the most iconic clubs in the world,” the 22-year-old said on United’s official website.
Gazzaniga joins Girona
Fulham goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga has joined Girona on a season-long loan deal.
Done deal! Ethan Ampadu joins Spezia on loan
As reported last night by The Independent’s Miguel Delaney, Chelsea defender Ethan Ampadu has joined Spezia on Seria A on a season-long loan.
The Welsh international spent last season at Venezia and had a number of offers, including from the Bundesliga, La Liga, Empoli and Nice in Ligue 1.
The latter proved attractive due to the chance of European football, but a number of factors ultimately saw the 21-year-old decide to return to Serie A - including the influence of Spezia coach Luca Gotti.
What deals are close?
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang > Chelsea
Chelsea and Barcelona have agreed a deal after protracted negotiations, The Independent’s Miguel Delaney reports, for around €14 plus Marcos Alonso.
Aubameyang is coming back to the Premier League and will be reuinted with his former manager Thomas Tuchel.
Barcelona have also confirmed in the last few minutes that Aubameyang is not training with the team today as he completes a move.
Sergino Dest is also not training ahead of his move to AC Milan.
Bournemouth make late push for Redmond
Bournemouth are considering a late move for Southampton winger Nathan Redmond.
The 28-year-old is into the last year of his contract which complicates any potential deal and Bournemouth can’t loan a second Southampton player after Jack Stephens signed earlier today.
Redmond would need to have his contract ended before he could make the move.
This one seems unlikely to get over the line.
Chelsea chasing three players in £100m deadline day spree
Chelsea are set to finish the window with the sort of spree that has defined their summer, as they seek to spend more than £100million on three options.
With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set to complete a drawn out move for the former Arsenal captain after a compromise on a two-year contract was reached while Thomas Tuchel still wants another midfielder.
The club are also attempting to finalise a move to sign Josko Gvardiol at the end of the season, although that deal is complicated by the Croatian international extending his contract at RB Leipzig.
Chelsea chasing three players in £100m deadline day spree
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to arrive from Barcelona while deals for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol and another midfielder are being worked on
Forest close in on signing number 21
Nottingham Forest are looking to make their 21st signing of the summer, agreeing a loan-to-buy move with Rennes for 22-year-old defender Loic Bade.
The future buy option is believed to be in the region of £12m.
Southampton were previously keen to land the defender but Forest have taken pole position on deadline day.
Chelsea in talks with Juventus over Zakaria loan
Chelsea are in talks with Juventus over a loan for midfielder Denis Zakaria, according to Sky in Italy. The Switzerland international is set to join on a season-long loan with an option to buy - with Fabrizio Romano adding that personal terms have been agreed and a medical is taking place in Italy. Chelsea have been left short of options in midfield following the injury to N’Golo Kante.
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