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.
Leeds’ Dieng deal slipping away
Leeds’ deal for Bamba Dieng in is jeopardy.
The Marseille striker was waiting in a private jet terminal in Nice, due to fly to Leeds after a deal was agreed worth over £10m.
But he has been offered a five-year contract with Nice and it is reported that the player is now deciding his next move with the rumours believed that he is leaning towards joining the French side.
The flight has not taken off it seems as though Dieng is heading back to Nice’s training ground.
‘Joining Manchester United a special moment’ says Dubravka
Manchester United’s new goalkeeper, Martin Dubravka, spoke to the club’s website about what it feels like to make the move to Old Trafford.
“To be joining Manchester United is a special moment in my career and I can’t wait to get started, and help the group achieve its ambitions,” he said.
“I am joining an excellent group of goalkeepers with lots of experience in the Premier League, and I know that we will push and support each other to keep our standards at the highest levels. The chance to work with David De Gea, alongside Tom Heaton, is one that I am relishing.
“I’d like to sincerely thank everyone at Newcastle United, and especially the fans, for many great experiences over the past four and a half years. I enjoyed every minute of my time there and made amazing memories to look back on.
“My focus is now on helping Manchester United, and we’ll see what the future holds after I have given my all this season. I am excited to be here!”
Caleta-Car to join Southampton
Duje Caleta-Car is having his Southampton medical after they agreed a fee of around £8m with Marseille.
The Croatian was on Southampton’s deadline day centre-back list as a replacement for their defensive departures and is set to sign a four-year deal at St Mary’s.
Zakharyan not be joining Chelsea this summer
Arsen Zakharyan will not be joining Chelsea before the end of the window according to Russian club Dinamo Moscow.
The 19-year-old midfielder is a Russia international and Chelsea made an offer for him on August 25th but the reason this transfer won’t go through is down to the sanctions currently imposed on Russia meaning that Dinamo would not receive the funds Chelsea pay them.
A club statement released this afternoon read: “On August 25, FC Dynamo received an offer from the English football club Chelsea regarding the transfer of midfielder Arsen Zakharyan.
“The interest of one of the strongest clubs in the world to the graduate of our club academy is a high assessment of the quality of training of young football players of Dynamo and Arsen’s playing progress.
“For several days, there were substantive negotiations between Dynamo and Chelsea, in which our club took a constructive position.
“However, due to a number of technical reasons beyond our control, it is not possible to transfer the player to this summer transfer window.
“Nevertheless, our club remains open to proposals that will suit Dynamo and the player, at the moment, the parties have decided that Arsen will continue to play for Dynamo.”
Willy Boly becomes Nottingham Forest’s 19th summer signing
Nottingham Forest have announced the signing of defender Willy Boly from Wolves, taking the club’s summer transfers up to 19.
The Ivory Coast international, 31, has signed a two-year deal at the City Ground to further bolster Steve Cooper’s squad following a return to the Premier League.
Boly made 147 appearances for Wolves, but his departure was somewhat acrimonious after he failed to turn up for Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle, despite being named in the squad.
Willy Boly becomes Nottingham Forest’s 19th summer signing
Forest have been the busiest team in the top-flight after securing promotion
Alvarez move to Chelsea stalled
Ajax’s Edson Alvarez missed training today in order to force through a move to Chelsea after the club rejected a £43m bid from the Blues. Reports in Holland suggests the Dutch club’s directors of football Gerry Hamstra and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar have told the player unequivocally he won’t be sold.
Ajax have sold several players this summer already and don’t want to weaken their team any further plus the transfer window in Holland has already close so they wouldn’t be able to bring in any replacements for the midfielder.
Villa reject offer for Luiz
Arsenal’s second bid for Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz worth £23m has been rejected, reports The Telegraph.
The midlands club have set a price for £40m for the midfielder and it doesn’t look as though they are willing to negoiate lower than that.
Transfer deadline day roundup: Done deals and news as Arsenal chase Douglas Luiz, Liverpool close on Arthur
Transfer deadline day is in full swing and Premier League clubs are rushing to complete deals before tonight’s deadline of 11pm BST.
Here are the major completed moves and still-to-comes so far today:
Transfer deadline day round-up: Done deals and what’s still to come
The key deals and the major transfers still to come
What’s deadline day like in the dressing room?
Newcastle striker Callum Wilson appeared on the Footballer’s Football Podcast and talked about what the dressing room vibe can be like after the transfer window closes.
“It definitely changes, because you’re left with the people who are still there with the club.” he said, “Players that didn’t get what they wanted have to get their head down and focus on this current team – trying to play their way into the team to get appearances.
“Everyone has to uplift the squad. You’ve got new players to welcome - you’re all in it together. It’s a team now. There’s no dividing, someone trying to leave. Some people need an arm around them, some people don’t.
“Sometimes you’ll see people trying to push things through in the last few days, not turning up, acting like they’re injured. At our club, I think we have a good group of lads. I can’t see anyone doing that.”
Birmingham agree deal for Chong
Manchester United have agreed a fee with Birmingham City for the sale of winger Tahith Chong.
Erik Ten Hag wanted to keep the 22-year-old at Old Trafford during pre-season so that he could assess him and see how he might fit into United’s plans.
Chong has been given permission to leave and looks like Birmingham have beaten rivals West Brom to his signature, having agreed a nominal fee.
Chong is due to undergo a medical in Birmingham today.
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