It was an eventful final day of the transfer window as Premier League clubs flexed their spending power, but Americans were also on the move around the world. Denis Zakaria moved to Chelsea as the Blues needed depth and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to join him, but they failed at moving striker Michy Batshuayi as his move to Nottingham Forest broke down. American Sergino Dest left Barcelona for AC Milan, but Memphis Depay decided to stay with the Catalan club. Meanwhile, American John Brooks went to Benfica.
Fulham had an eventful day adding Daniel James, Willian, and Carlos Vinicius while Christian Pulisic will stay at Chelsea and Cristiano Ronaldo will stay at Manchester United. Liverpool got midfield cover in Arthur Melo on a loan with an option to buy but outside of the Premier League, things were relatively quiet on deadline day.
Bamba Dieng had the most eventful day for any particular player as he was set for a move to Leeds United. When he was supposed to travel for his medical, an offer from OGC Nice came in and he reportedly spurned Leeds. But the medical in France didn't go well as a knee issue was reportedly discovered. The deal isn't completely off as Ligue 1 allows a "joker signing" for each club that can only be made from one French club to another between the summer and winter windows, so in theory, they could renegotiate with Olympique Marseille.
On deadline day, some clubs ended up doing good business while others made panic buys. Here are some winners and losers:
Clubs around the world had issues shedding their dead weight during the transfer window, but that wasn't a problem for PSG. Julian Draxler went to Benfica, Idrissia Gueye returned to Everton and Layvin Kurzawa bolstered Fulham. None of the trio had a future at PSG, and even with Kurzawa being a loan, a strong showing at Fulham will allow him to regain value for a hopeful sale in the future. The team has been remade in Christophe Galtier's image and the results are showing quickly. They'll be disappointed that Inter Milan held firm on not moving Milan Skrinar during the window but things couldn't be going much better in Paris right now. In addition to Vitinha and Renato Sanches, adding Spanish midfielders Fabian Ruiz of Napoli and Carlos Soler of Valencia could pay off with their technical abilities. Now to push for that ever elusive Champions League title
Two players who needed to move for consistent playing time but couldn't get what they needed for different reasons. Pulisic was reportedly blocked from potential moves by Chelsea despite Thomas Tuchel not using him, and he may have gotten pushed further down the depth chart. Ronaldo wanted Champions League soccer and now he's a backup striker to Marcus Rashford and a depth option under Erik ten Hag. Neither situation seems sustainable during a full season but things festering without a resolution feels like the worst option for the clubs and the players.
Getting to clear wages by sending Dest and Aubameyang to new clubs means that the directors likely won't have to foot a bill for the guarantees made to the league to register Jules Kounde. Getting Hector Bellerin and Marcos Alonso also provides cheap depth as Barcelona look to compete in multiple competitions. A perfect day would've been if a solution could've been found for Memphis Depay, allowing Xavi to sign another player as attacking midfield was certainly on the target list. But going into a semi-balanced financial situation is a better place than Barcelona were in to open the day. Todd Boehley, Chelsea's American owner, should be sent a fruit basket with Aubameyang for the assist.
Even if we exclude Leicester's uninspired loss to Manchester United on Thursday, the Foxes didn't get enough reinforcements on deadline day. Wout Faes is their replacement for Wesley Fofana, but they needed to get a winger and didn't manage to. Danny Ward has also been unable to fill the large gloves of Kasper Schmeichel in goal as the team is in a rut, sitting in the cellar of the Premier League.
This window could be an excellent one for the Blues or go up in flames. On paper, Aubameyang and Zakaria are good signings but selling a talented midfielder like Billy Gilmour when the team was already short in midfield is an odd move. Aubameyang fills a clear need atop the attack, but he won't be available out of the gate due to a broken jaw. Juventus may have given up on Zakaria so quickly because he didn't fit the system, but he hasn't been a player who can put all of his tools together consistently.
If he's able to do that at Chelsea it will be a great move as the team will finally have an alternative to N'Golo Kante, but moving on consecutive deadline days isn't something that raises the belief that he'll actually do it. Fofana is a strong addition but the team was already set at center back and needed more attackers and to move fringe players. They did neither, terminating Ross Barkley's contract and selling Gilmour who has potential. If Gilmour stars at Brighton, this window could quickly go south for the Blues as their need of a true sporting director under Boehley may start to show.
Mitch Batshuayi seemed close to a Nottingham Forest move but with that not happening he may be caught in limbo. The most likely solution would be a move to Turkey since the transfer window is still open there as he likely can't be registered at Chelsea.
The 18 year old Italian winger scored nine goals in the Swiss top flight for FC Zurich last season and could be quite the get for Leeds United. He likes to shoot and provides a similar style to Luis Sinesterra so Jesse Marsch will have more like for like replacements in his squad. Even if the signing doesn't work out, at only 18 he will likely have resale value as well.
Carlos Vinicius will provide cover at striker while Daniel James provides competition on both wings. Between Willian, James, Neeskans Kebano, and Bobby Reid, Fulham have strengthened their weakest position in a big way. This should be enough for the team to avoid relegation under Marco Silva.
James Garner has joined from Manchester United on a four year deal while Idrissa Gueye has also arrived from PSG. The Toffees needed midfield reinforcements and got them on deadline day.
After receiving an offer from OGC Nice while he was on a plane to Leeds United Dieng has now failed his medical! What's next for the Marseille winger?
This will end Barcelona's business for the window as Depay should be due for more playing time with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang heading to Chelsea.
Arthur Melo will join from Juventus on loan as Jurgen Klopp needed depth due to injuries to Jordan Henderson, Thiago, and Curtis Jones.
Helping anchor a Champions League team's backline shows that it was worth the wait for Brooks to take his time after leaving Wolfsburg.
Jan Vertonghen is headed for a homecoming in a move back to his native Belgium with Anderlecht. After two seasons with Benfica, his departure will help pave the way for the arrival of John Brooks.
After two bids were rejected, Aston Villa look set to keep the Brazilian midfielder. Aston Villa have been firm that he's not for sale despite Luiz's interest in joining Arsenal. With Aston Villa's performance so far this season, it'd be interesting to see if Luiz would accept a new contract.
It seemed like the transfer window would close with Depay stuck in Spain as he looks for a way to terminate his contract to leave for a free agent. Linked to both Chelsea and Manchester United (who are now done making new additions) could a shock club be entering the fray for Depay's signature? If there is a solution, Barcelona may have another signing queued up to bolster the attack after losing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Chelsea as well on deadline day.
With Jan Bednarek leaving for Aston Villa to offer cover with Diego Carlos injured and Jack Stephens on loan at Bournemouth, the door was opened for Ralph Hasenhuttl to get a new defender and he gets an experienced option in Duje Caleta-Car. After five seasons with Marseille, he'll be trying a new challenge playing in the Premier League.
The French champions have completed the signing of the Spain international from Valencia for around $20 million on a contract until 2027.
Nottingham Forest are en route to signing a new team just on deadline day.
Thomas Tuchel needed midfielders and Denis Zakaria is joining on loan with an option to buy. With N'Golo Kante injured, Chelsea needed a defensive minded midfielder and they'll get one in Zakaria. His stay at Juventus has been a short one after arriving as a deadline day signing in January before leaving on a deadline day loan in September.
Lots of movement at Valencia as they look to close in on new signings with Justin Kluivert on the way, per reports. But Maxi Gomez is off to Trabzonspor, yet it is unclear if that is just due to Edinson Cavani arriving or if his departure opens up another spot on a team with so much turnover. They've been linked with Tim Weah, the USMNT international at Lille, and there isn't long to go now for the American to get his move.
Layvin Kurzawa has joined on loan from PSG. An excellent crosser of the ball, he offers a different style than Antonee Robinson. While Robinson is currently the starter and a better defensive option than Kurzawa, hopefully for the United States' World Cup hopes that doesn't change over the next few months.
Benfica have confirmed the signing of Julian Draxler from Paris Saint-Germain which presents an interesting scenario in that the two clubs will meet in UEFA Champions League Group H this season. With Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes now with Juve, there will be many swift reunions to come for Les Parisiens.
They're adding a new player by the hour at this point but Bade is a talented central defender joining the ranks. One of the best young defenders in Ligue 1, he'll be joining on loan with an option to buy. Forest have now signed three pure center backs along with two others who can operate there. While Moussa Niakhate is injured at the moment, Steve Cooper will have some tough decisions to make.
While there are questions about what Willian can bring on the pitch, his experience in the Premier League will be good for the newly promoted side.
American Tim Weah and Dutchman Justin Kluivert, son of former Valencia player Patrick Kluivert, are on Valencia's radar ahead of the window closing, according to multiple reports. This comes after failing to land Bryan Gil from Tottenham. Kluivert looks like the most likely signing, meaning Weah would be stuck at Lille to fight for his place.
After spending last season on loan Harit contributed eight Ligue 1 goals with Marseille. Despite Schalke's promotion back to the Bundesliga, Harit was free to leave on a loan with an option to buy.
The French champions have just confirmed that Layvin Kurzawa, Abdou Diallo and Idrissa Gueye have all left the club within minutes of each other. The Senegal international joining Everton is the only permanent deal, but there is a purchase option in Diallo's deal with RB Leipzig while Kurzawa's is just a straight loan. Expect Carlos Soler news from Parc des Princes in the next few hours, but it sounds as if Milan Skriniar will be staying with Inter Milan despite PSG's interest.
Despite the strong start to the season for the Cottagers, they could use attacking reinforcements as Harry Wilson's injury will keep him out until at least the World Cup. They've been interested in making a move for Ben Brereton Diaz from Blackburn Rovers but the Championship side doesn't want to sell and for good reason after he scored 22 goals last season. This is one to watch as it could secure Fulham staying in the Premier League.
Heading to Gladbach from Benfica, Weigl will allow Roger Schmidt to continue instilling his style around the team after joining from PSV during the summer. Weigl has only played 58 minutes for Benfica this season so it was clear that he isn't preferred but he'll bring a lot to Gladbach.
That's 20 official signings so far this season.
The Scottish giants are close to landing Danish midfielder Oliver Abildgaard while Josh Maja has opted to stay with Bordeaux and taken a 50% wage deferral which includes an option to leave for free if Les Girondins are not promoted straight back to Ligue 1.
