Premier League clubs blew past their previous transfer record of £3.1 billion in a single window, with Manchester City leading a frantic final day of business that pushed the division’s total summer spend to £3.46 billion by the time the window shut at 2200 GMT on Tuesday.
City land Fernandez and Ndiaye
City were the story of deadline day, agreeing a £125 million deal with Chelsea for Enzo Fernandez that matches the British transfer record set by Liverpool’s £125 million move for Alexander Isak a year earlier.
The 25-year-old World Cup winner had been strongly linked with a reunion with his old Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca for months, with the deal only coming together in the final hours before the deadline.
City’s director of football, Hugo Viana, described Fernandez as “technically gifted, hardworking, tenacious and a goalscorer.” He joins Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi in a rebuilt City midfield that has now cost the club more than £325 million.
City also completed a £65 million deal for Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye from Everton, taking their summer outlay beyond £450 million. Ndiaye said he felt ready to seize his chance at the club and had worked his whole career for an opportunity of this scale.
ALSO: Pirates hammer Kruger, City and Stellies share the spoils
Chelsea and Everton left frustrated
Chelsea’s attempt to replace Fernandez with Monaco’s Lamine Camara fell through, while Everton missed out on a separate Monaco target, United States striker Folarin Balogun, after a £40 million deal collapsed late on. Everton did bring in Jack Grealish on loan, following his season at the club under David Moyes.
Chelsea also agreed a £40 million deal for 18-year-old Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor, who will join in 2027 after spending this season on loan at Crystal Palace.
Arsenal miss out on Alvarez, land Jesus
Champions Arsenal had a subdued deadline day after their long pursuit of Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez came to nothing, with the Spanish club instead turning to the Gunners to sign Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian forward said the move fulfilled an ambition he’d held for a decade.
ALSO: Pitso Mosimane confirmed as new Bafana Bafana coach
Liverpool add Barcola, miss out elsewhere
Liverpool’s business was largely done a day earlier, with the £123 million signing of France forward Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain.
Deadline day itself brought disappointment, though, as bids for Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr and Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh were both turned down, meaning Cody Gakpo stays at Anfield despite interest from City and Tottenham.
Liverpool did complete a deal for Belgian goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans, who will spend the rest of the season back on loan at Genk.
Villa move for Mbaye and Harwood-Bellis
Aston Villa beat Liverpool to the signing of winger Ibrahim Mbaye, agreeing a reported £47 million fee after the Frenchman made 31 appearances last season as PSG won the Champions League and Ligue 1 double. Villa also strengthened at the back, signing Southampton centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis for £29 million.
AFRICA PICKS: Football tips and predictions
Tottenham and Newcastle round out business
Tottenham missed out on both Ndiaye and Gakpo but secured a loan deal for Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk, along with a £10 million move for his Chelsea teammate Tosin Adarabioyo.
Newcastle signed Belgium forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille for £51 million as they continue rebuilding following the departures of Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali. The Magpies also sent German striker Nicolas Woltemade out on loan to Juventus for the season.
– AFP
Photo: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
