European Football
Deadline Day: European Round Up
Deadline day for all of Europe has now come to and end meaning the summer transfer window has finally slammed shut. The Premier League window closed on August 8th, meanwhile teams across the rest of Europe have scrambled to fill any voids in their teams or bring in some funds by selling players deemed surplus to requirements. There was activity from some of the European Elite on the final day including PSG, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Roma. The Neymar transfer saga wasn’t settled on deadline day meaning he will remain a PSG player until at least January. Therefore, the transfer saga continues, much to the annoyance of football fans everywhere.
The Biggest Moves of Deadline Day
The biggest transfer of deadline day is goalkeeper Keylor Navas who is joining Paris Saint-Germain from Real Madrid on a 4-year deal worth a reported $16.5 million. The Costa Rican ends his 5 year stay in Madrid after losing his place as starting goalkeeper to Thibaut Courtois. He won 12 titles including three consecutive Champions Leagues during his stay in Madrid. PSG fans will be hopeful he can do the same in France.
In return Alphonse Areola has left the French capital for the Spanish capital on a season-long loan. Notably, the loan deal does not include an option to buy the Frenchman, who looks set to take up his place as second choice goalkeeper. Following Areola out the door is Jesé Rodriguez who is headed to the Portuguese capital to join Sporting CP. He is joining on a season long loan that includes an option to buy.
Mauro Icardi has finally been freed from limbo at Inter Milan by agreeing to a season-long loan at PSG. The loan deal is worth $5.5 million and includes an option to buy for $76.8 million at the end of the campaign. The Argentine forward has been at Inter Milan since 2013 making 188 appearances and scored 111 goals. His goals will be much needed with injuries to star Kylian Mbappé and Edinson Cavani.
Barcelona midfielder Rafinha has joined Celta Vigo on a season-long loan despite playing a part in all three of Barcelona’s league matches this season. Interestingly enough he has also just signed a new contract keeping him at the Camp Nou until 2021. The 26 year-old has been with Barcelona since 2006 and previously made 33 appearances for Celta Vigo during a loan in the 2013/2014 season.
Roma’s Busy Day
It was a busy deadline day in the Italian capital. After signing his former teammate Chris Smalling on loan just 3 days ago, Roma have now secured the services of Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The Armenian midfielder leaves Arsenal on a loan deal that lasts for the entire 2019/2020 season after struggling to break into Unai Emery’s starting XI.
However, they didn’t stop there. Roma also acquired the services of Croatian striker Nikola Kalinić on a season-long loan from Atletico Madrid. His contract has an option to buy the 31 year-old on a permanent basis for $10 million at the end of the term.
After signing Kalinić as his replacement, Roma loaned Patrik Schick to German club RB Leipzig on a season long loan. The contract includes a $32 million buy option at the end of his loan.
To end their busy day the Giallorossi sent French midfielder Maxime Gonalons on loan to Granada. The year long loan includes a clause that forces the loan to become permanent when he reaches specific targets.
Premier League Deadline Day Signings
West Ham United forward Javier Hernandez, better known as Chicharito, signed a 3-year contract with Spanish club Sevilla. The deal, worth a rumored around $8.5 million, makes the Mexican international Sevilla’s 12th signing of this window.
Champions League finalist Fernando Llorente is joining Napoli on a free transfer. His contract with Tottenham expired following the end of the season and they chose not to resign the 34 year-old. He will return to Champions League football on September 17th, where Napoli will look to get revenge against Liverpool.
Matteo Darmian finally secured his move back to Italy. The Italian leaves Manchester United to join Parma for 4 years on a permanent basis for a fee of just over $1.6 million. The full-back was going through a tough period at Manchester United and hopes to revitalize his career with the national team. He became the 4th Manchester United player to leave for Italy in recent weeks following Chris Smalling, Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku.
Liverpool youngster Bobby Duncan has completed a 3-year permanent move to Fiorentina. His Liverpool career was looking up as he was called up to the first team during the preseason. However, things went sour when Duncan’s agent accused the club of bullying his client. Since the accusations the striker has been linked with a move away since.
After impressing on loan last year, Ryan Kent will be joining Rangers on a permanent basis. The 22 year-old began his youth career with Liverpool in 2003 but never fully made his breakthrough into the first team. He has gained the attention of manager Steven Gerrard leading Rangers to spend nearly $8.5 million to bring the winger into his side.
Premier League Deadline Day Loans
Chelsea are once again loaning out the Kenedy, polarizing Brazilian after two largely unsuccessful loans to Newcastle United. This time the winger has left London to head to La Liga joining Granada CF. He has undoubted talent but off field antics and behavioral issues have caused him issues in the past. Hopefully, a season long loan in Spain will bring out his skill and set him on the right path.
Turkish club Galatasaray also had a very hectic transfer window. They started the day by officially announcing the signing of Radamel Falcao. Then brought in Premier League players Mario Lemina and Florin Andone. Lemina joined on a year long loan from Southampton and Andone joined from Brighton and Hove Albion. To finish their day they sent attacker Mbaye Diagne on a season long loan to Club Brugge.
Asmir Begovic joined Azerbaijan side Qarabaǧ FK on a half season loan. He fell behind 21 year-old Aaron Ramsdale in the pecking order after shaky performances last season caused Eddie Howe to lose faith in the towering Bosnian.
Wesley Hoedt signed for Royal Antwerp from Southampton after finding himself as 4th choice centre-back. The Dutch defender will be on a season-long loan with an option to buy at the end of the season. He will be joined at Royal Antwerp by former Burnley player Steven Defour. Defour was out of contract with the Premier League club and signed on a free transfer.
The Best of the Rest
Eintracht Frankfurt and AC Milan have agreed a swap deal for Ante Rebić and André Silva. Rebić will join AC Milan on a two year loan deal and Silva will have the same loan deal but will head the other way. AC Milan will have the option to buy the Croatian at the end of his loan spell, for a fee of around $27.5 million. However, there is no mention about a buy option in Silva’s contract.
Only 24 days after signing from Turkish giants Fenerbahçe, former Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel terminated his contract with Atalanta by mutual consent. He then announced that he would be signing with Turkish club İstanbul Bașakșehir.
Shortly after that, Atalanta announced that Simon Kjaer would be joining Atalanta as his replacement. The Danish international arrives on a year long loan from Sevilla as their transformation continues under football director, Monchi.
Italian forward, Simone Verdi will join Torino on a season long loan. The contract states that at the end of his loan spell Torino are obligated to buy him for $27.5 million. While he was at Napoli he only scored 3 goals in 22 appearances.
Rachid Ghezzal is leaving the Premier League to join Serie A. The Algerian winger is joining Fiorentina on loan for the season with an option to buy. He is teaming up with ex-Liverpool youngster Bobby Duncan and Brazilian striker Pedro from Fluminense who signed today.
Written by Chase Brittingham
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