The transfer window closes for the summer across Europe’s top leagues on Thursday, with the deadline hitting and the dealing finally coming to an end after weeks of rumors, links, loans and signings.
So much of the important business has long been conducted. The likes of Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski, Sadio Mané, Matthijs de Ligt, Darwin Núñez, Casemiro, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus are among the biggest names already featuring for their new clubs, but they’ll be joined by one last set of players on the go—albeit a set for which there won’t be much time afforded to acclimate to new surroundings.
The Premier League’s clubs have been the biggest spenders this summer (nearly $2 billion with a day to go), particularly Manchester United and Chelsea, while Barcelona, after selling of the future assets to make it happen, has undergone an extreme makeover of its own. The three clubs remain involved in some of the biggest lingering transfer sagas, never content with the status quo despite the season carrying along in earnest.
In terms of the “Big Five” leagues across Europe, the deadline hits the Bundesliga at noon ET, followed by Serie A at 2 p.m., Ligue 1 at 5 p.m. and La Liga and the Premier League at 6 p.m.
Follow along here for updates from throughout the day, as the transfer window shuts and players—aside from free agents—are locked into their locations until after the 2022 World Cup this November and December (refresh for most recent updates).
THE RUMOR MILL
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set for a reunion with Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea after agreeing to a deal to leave Barcelona. The forward is heading to London today to complete the deal. Marcos Alonso will reportedly move to Barcelona in a $11.5 million deal. Gabonese forward heading to Stamford Bridge.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag proclaimed Wednesday that Cristiano Ronaldo would be staying put, despite the player’s desire to go to a club featuring in the UEFA Champions League this season. He was also named among the substitutes to face Leicester City on Thursday. Barring a complete reversal on that unambiguous statement or an offer that Man United cannot refuse, Ronaldo will have to get used to the dimmer lights of the UEFA Europa League instead. Napoli and Sporting CP, the latter of which was Ronaldo’s first club, are reportedly the only potential destinations. (BBC)
Liverpool seems to have made an uncharacteristic Deadline Day dash for Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo. The Brazilian midfielder is set to join the Premier League giants on a season-long loan as Liverpool has struggled with injuries to Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcântara and Naby Keïta so far this season. (ESPN)
Michy Batshuayi may be on the verge of a Deadline Day move to Nottingham Forest. The striker has one year left on his deal with Chelsea after spending much of the last five seasons on loan (Borussia Dortmund, Valencia, Crystal Palace, Besiktas) and looks to join a completely restructured Forest squad. (Fabrizio Romano; Liam Twomey)
Chelsea’s transfer window looks to continue to the very last minute as the club has reportedly agreed to a loan deal for Juventus’s Denis Zakaria. The Swiss midfielder only arrived in Turin in January, but reports suggest that he is not happy with the Italian giants. (David Ornstein)
Valencia looks to be closing in on a move for AS Roma winger Justin Kluivert. The Dutch international’s move to Fulham fell through due to visa issues, but Kluivert is reportedly heading to Spain to complete a medical. (Sky Sports)
Chelsea was reportedly after Mexican midfielder Edson Álvarez, with the Blues said to have made a $50 million offer to Ajax. However, Ajax reportedly will not let the 24-year-old leave on Deadline Day. (Telegraaf)
Barcelona announced that the club has terminated the contract of Martin Braithwaite. Reports across Europe claim that the forward will head across town to join Espanyol after recording 10 goals in 58 appearances for Barça. (FC Barcelona)
Aston Villa has reportedly agreed to a move for Wolves midfielder Leander Dendoncker as manager Steven Gerrard looks to strengthen his midfield. The Belgian international, who is expected to join Villa in a £13 million move, is a versatile midfielder that can also play center back. (BBC)
Fulham is plotting a series of moves before the deadline. The club in reportedly in talks over a loan move for Leeds winger Daniel James, formerly of Manchester United. Meanwhile while former Chelsea winger Willian has already signed. (Sky Sports)
Barcelona is reportedly in talks with Arsenal over a move for right back Héctor Bellerín. With Sergiño Dest closing in on a loan move to AC Milan, Barcelona is considering a move for its former youth product, who spent last season on loan at Real Betis. (Evening Standard)
Arsenal has reportedly made a £20 million bid for Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz. The Brazilian midfielder scored against the Gunners on Wednesday and could fit in perfectly at the Emirates with injuries to Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny leaving a gap in midfield. Atlético Madrid, Chelsea and Liverpool were also reportedly interested in the midfielder. (Sky Sports)
Leeds United’s busy summer may not be done with the club reportedly agreeing to a £10 million move for Marseille’s Bamba Dieng. The 22-year-old forward scored seven goals in 25 league appearances for the French side last season and also helped Senegal to the African Cup of Nations title and a World Cup berth. (David Ornstein)
John Brooks has reportedly backed out of his agreement with La Liga side Mallorca in order to try to force through a move to Benfica. The American center back reportedly went to Spain for a medical before changing his mind. (Tom Bogert)
As if landing Fofana, Marc Cucurella and Kalidou Koulibaly were not enough in remaking its back line, Chelsea is reportedly seeking a move for RB Leipzig center back Joško Gvardiol, which could cost a club that has already spent roughly $300 million this summer another $90 million. Gvardiol would stay at Leipzig for the rest of this season under the terms of the proposed deal. Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff previously stated that Gvardiol was not for sale. (The Telegraph)
Everton manager Frank Lampard claims the door is shut on a potential transfer for Anthony Gordon, the 21-year-old winger who has drawn Chelsea’s interest and scored in consecutive games for the Toffees. (BBC)
Potentially related to that is word that Christian Pulisic reportedly will not get the move that he wants to secure more regular playing time before the World Cup, as Chelsea won’t sanction a loan of the U.S. men’s national team superstar. (The Athletic)
Another U.S. standout, right back Sergiño Dest, is reportedly closing in on a season-long loan to AC Milan from Barcelona, where he’s effectively been frozen out by Xavi. (Fabrizio Romano)
Bernardo Silva has been at the center of reports linking him with a move from Manchester City to Barcelona, but he put that notion to bed himself following a 6–0 win over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, claiming he would be staying at the Etihad. (City Transfer Room)
Leeds United and Southampton are in hot pursuit of PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo, who was reportedly a Manchester United target earlier in the summer. (Sky Sports)
Brentford could become the latest Premier League club to break its own transfer record, as it eyes a move for Shakhtar Donetsk’s $35 million-rated, 21-year-old Ukrainian forward Mykhaylo Mudryk, who has also reportedly been on Arsenal’s radar. (The Guardian)
LATEST COMPLETED MOVES OF NOTE
Carlos Soler (Valencia to PSG)
PSG completed a drastic makeover of its midfield with a late move for Valencia midfielder Carlos Soler for a reported €20 million. After the loan exits of Julian Draxler and Idrissa Gueye, the 25-year-old joins Fabián Ruiz in PSG’s new-look midfield after making 226 appearances for Valencia across seven seasons.
Julian Draxler (PSG loan to Benfica)
In what appears to be quite a coup for Benfica, the German star will head to Portugal on loan for the remainder of the season. The 2014 World Cup winner has spent the last six seasons at PSG, recording 26 goals in 198 appearances.
Martin Dúbravka (Newcastle loan to Manchester United)
After being made surplus to requirements. at Newcastle following the signing of Nick Pope, the Slovakian international heads to Old Trafford on a season-long loan with an option to make the move permanent. Dúbravka made 130 appearances across all competitions for Newcastle in four-and-a-half seasons.
Willian (Fulham)
The Brazilian winger is back in London, but this time with Fulham. After spending seven years at Chelsea and one with Arsenal, Willian spent last season back in Brazil with Corinthians. As a free agent, he had been training with the Cottagers for the last two weeks before signing a contract through the end of the year.
Idrissa Gana Gueye (PSG to Everton)
The central midfielder is back at Goodison Park after three seasons in the French capital. Everton confirmed that the Senegal international has signed a two-year contract to return after leaving in a £30 million deal in 2019. He reportedly joins in an £8 million deal.
Abdou Diallo (PSG loan to RB Leipzig)
PSG defender Abdou Diallo is on the move with a loan deal confirmed at RB Leipzig. The Senegalese defender made 75 appearances across three seasons with the French giants.
Layvin Kurzawa (PSG loan to Fulham)
The west London side confirmed the signing of the left back on loan for the remainder of the season, while also hinting at more moves to come before the transfer deadline. The 29-year-old spent seven seasons with the French giants, making 153 appearances, but only appeared once for PSG last season.
Manuel Akanji (Borussia Dortmund to Man City)
Man City has signed the Swiss center back to a four-year contract in a deal reportedly worth $17.5 million. The 27-year-old defender made 158 appearances in four-and-a-half seasons with Dortmund after arriving from Basel. He is the sixth signing of the summer for the Premier League champions.
Lucas Ocampos (Sevilla loan to Ajax)
The Argentine winger trades one Champions League club for another, filling the void left behind by Manchester United-bound Antony at Ajax—at least for the rest of this season. The 28-year-old’s loan comes with an option to buy.
Wesley Fofana (Leicester City to Chelsea)
Leicester relented and sold its rising star of a center back to Chelsea for a reported $87 million, and he promptly signed a seven-year deal with the Blues.
Fabián Ruiz (Napoli to PSG)
Ruiz is part of a Spanish makeover of PSG’s midfield, with Valencia’s Carlos Soler expected to join as well. Ruiz’s portion cost PSG a reported $21.5 million.
Leandro Paredes (PSG loan to Juventus)
With PSG loading up in its midfield, there was no place for Paredes, who heads to Juve on loan for the season. He’s the second PSG player to go to Juventus this summer, following Ángel Di María’s free transfer.
Saša Kalajdžić (Stuttgart to Wolves)
The 6’7” Austrian striker completed a reported $17.4 million move to the Premier League side, with whom he signed a five-year deal. He scored 22 goals in his last two seasons in the Bundesliga, including a career-high 16 in 2020-21.
25 PRICIEST MOVES OF THE SUMMER
(All values obtained via media reports and converted to USD)
1. Antony (Ajax to Manchester United for $95 million)
2. Wesley Fofana (Leicester City to Chelsea for $87 million)
3. Aurelién Tchouaméni (Monaco to Real Madrid for $80 million)
4. Darwin Núñez (Benfica to Liverpool for $78.9 million)
5. Marc Cucurella (Brighton to Chelsea for $74.7 million)
6. Richarlison (Everton to Tottenham for $72.6 million)
7. Alexander Isak (Real Sociedad to Newcastle for $70 million)
8. Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus to Bayern Munich for $68.6 million)
9. Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City for $63 million)
10. Casemiro (Real Madrid to Manchester United for $60 million)
11. Lucas Paquetá (Lyon to West Ham for $60 million)
12. Raphinha (Leeds United to Barcelona for $58.2 million)
13. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City to Chelsea for $57 million)
14. Lisandro Martínez (Ajax to Manchester United for $55 million)
15. Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City to Arsenal for $54 million)
16. Jules Koundé (Sevilla to Barcelona for $50 million)
17. Kalvin Phillips (Leeds United to Manchester City for $48 million)
18. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich to Barcelona for $45 million)
19. Matheus Nunes (Sporting CP to Wolverhampton for $45 million)
20. Sadio Mané (Liverpool to Bayern Munich for $41 million)
21. Bremer (Torino to Juventus for $41 million)
22. Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli to Chelsea for $40 million)
23. Vitinha (Porto to PSGPSG for $40 million)
24. Sven Botman (Lille to Newcastle for $37 million)
25. Gianluca Scamacca (Sassuolo to West Ham for $36.6 million)
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