Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal loan Sterling, Chelsea sign Sancho but lose Osimhen after deadline
The transfer deadline passed as several Premier League clubs are continued to finish off both sales and signings
The transfer window faced a frantic conclusion as Premier League clubs scrambled to complete last-minute business up to – and after – the 11pm deadline.
Raheem Sterling has completed a season-long loan move from Chelsea to Arsenal. The clubs announced the switch almost three hours after the Premier League transfer window closed. Sterling, 29, has won 82 caps for England but had found himself frozen out at Chelsea under Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea wanted to sign a striker, but top option Victor Osimhen turned down their wage offer in favour of staying at Napoli, while Ivan Toney has moved to Saudi side Al-Ahli in a £40m transfer from Brentford.
Instead, Chelsea and Manchester United have agreed on a loan a deal for winger Jadon Sancho, who is expected to depart Old Trafford. United also finally finished off a move for PSG midfielder Manuel Ugarte, after Scott McTominay was sold to Napoli.
Wolves signed a trio of players, Nottingham Forest captured James-Ward Prowse on loan, as Everton made a late move for Armando Broja from Chelsea and Fulham chased Reiss Nelson from Arsenal into the small hours.
Follow the latest transfer news and updates from the aftermath of deadline day below.
Manchester City not replacing Julian Alvarez could be mistake, Guardiola says
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admitted the club have taken a risk by not moving to replace Julian Alvarez in the transfer market but insisted he has more than enough options in attack.
It has been a quiet summer for the Premier League champions, with the return of Ilkay Gundogan and the signing of Savinho the only incomings, while James McAtee has joined the first-team squad after spending the last two seasons on loan at Sheffield United.
Alvarez, meanwhile, departed for Atletico Madrid earlier this month.
Ashworth on Ugarte signing
Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth spoke to the club’s website, and said that Ugarte “is among the very best ball-winning midfield players in the world”.
He said: “Signing Manuel was another of our primary targets for this summer. His qualities, experience and passion will be a great complement to our strong group of midfielders.
“Manuel is a player we’ve watched closely, and we are excited to see the positive impact he will make on the pitch and in the dressing room as we continue to strive for success.”
Ashworth also praised the Uruguayan’s “excellent record at both club and international level”.
Manuel Ugarte speaks on joining Manchester United
Here are the thoughts from Manuel Ugarte after the 23-year-old completed a move to United on deadline day.
“It is an incredible feeling to join a club of this magnitude; one that is admired all around the world,” he told the club’s website.
“The project that the football leadership discussed with me is extremely exciting; Manchester United is an ambitious club and I am an ambitious player. “The passion of supporters is something that is very important to me; I know how incredible United fans are and I cannot wait to experience Old Trafford.
“I’m someone who is so determined to succeed; I will sacrifice and give everything for my teammates. Together we will fight to win trophies and reach the level where this club needs to be.”
Merino out for ‘a few weeks'
On the 27th August Arsenal signed a breakout star from Euro 2024 in Spain’s Mikel Merino. He arrived from Real Sociedad for a fee that could reach £31.6m and will bolster the midfield ahead of a testing Premier League campaign.
Two days later on the 29th August, Merino injures his shoulder during his first training session with the Gunners and is now on the sidelines for a “few weeks”.
Talk about bad luck.
Mikel Arteta on Raheem Sterling loan move
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking before the lunchtime kick-off against Brighton, on signing Raheem Sterling:
“We are happy with what we have done, but now the full-focus is on the match.
“We know the qualities he has. It is a bigger step-up for us, we have brought a top talent who has a loads of experience, hopefully he impacts the team in a good way.
On Sterling’s Man City record: “He was playing under a great manager [Pep Guardiola] with great players around him - if you do that he will cause so many issues to a team.”
Virgil van Dijk relishing being link between Arne Slot and Liverpool team-mates
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is enjoying life under Arne Slot and relishing his role of being the link between the new head coach and the rest of the squad.
The Netherlands international has had a key role to play in a summer of upheaval at Anfield after the departure of long-time manager Jurgen Klopp and his entire backroom staff.
However, the arrival of his compatriot has brought fresh ideas and the campaign has begun well with two victories.
Virgil van Dijk relishing being link between Arne Slot and Liverpool team-mates
The Netherlands international has had a key role to play in a summer of upheaval at Anfield after the departure of long-time manager Jurgen Klopp.
Arsenal vs Brighton
The line ups are out for the first Premier League encounter of the day with Arsenal playing host to Brighton. Here’s how the teams look:
Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Gabriel, Saliba, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Partey; Saka, Havertz, Trossard.
Subs: Setford, Kiwior, Calafiori, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Lewis-Skelley, Nwaneri, Martinelli.
Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Veltman, van Hecke, Dunk, Hinshelwood; Milner, Baleba; Minteh, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck.
Subs: Steele, Lamptey, Julio, Webster, Enciso, Rutter, Adingra, Ayari, Estupinan.
Billy Gilmour completes move from Brighton to Napoli
Brighton sold midfielder Billy Gilmour to Napoli last night for an initial £12m. The Scotland international made 60 appearances for Brighton in two seasons at the club, following a move from Chelsea in 2022.
The move appeared to be off after Brighton’s new £25m midfielder Matt O’Riley suffered a ankle injury just 10 minutes into his debut, but the Italian club persisted and got the deal over the line with hours to spare.
Brighton’s technical director David Weir said, “Billy quickly established himself as a popular figure in the dressing room and was a key player last season when we competed in the Europa League for the first time.
“We wish him the best of luck with this move to Italy and thank him for his efforts with the club.”
Crystal Palace confirm Trevoh Chalobah loan
This went through late last night, but Crystal Palace have confirmed the loan signing of Trevoh Chalobah from Chelsea for the season. The Eagles sold centre-back Joachim Andersen to Fulham, but signed Maxence Lacroix from Wolfsburg and kept Marc Guehi despite a flurry of bids from Newcastle.
Palace also bought Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal for £25m.
Welcome to Palace, Trevoh Chalobah ✨#CPFC
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 31, 2024
Arsenal have to be ‘proud’ of transfer business, says Edu
It was a busy end to the transfer window for Arsenal with the club selling striker Eddie Nketiah to Crystal Palace, goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to Southampton and loaning Reiss Nelson to Fulham.
In the same window, the Gunners also sold Emile Smith Rowe on a permanent deal and signed Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori and Sain midfielder Mikel Merino, while bringing in Raheem Sterling and Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto on loan.
Sporting director Edu said: “A long day, a long transfer window but in the end, I think we as a club have to be proud once again. The way we are working together, the way we did all the deals.
“I think we are in a very good situation when see all the loan players in the right clubs. You see the signings we have like Riccardo and like Merino, so the players that we planned to sign, our targets, they are here. Also the players that we decided to sell, I think we sold them for the right price, to the right clubs, in the right way also which is important.
“So today to be here on the last day of the transfer window, to get someone like Sterling, who I believe will be someone very important for the squad, who is going to give a lot to the team. So it’s a pleasure, and in the end everyone – not only me because there are a lot of people working here as well – but it’s a pleasure we are finishing the transfer window.”
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