Today's Edition
LONDON (AFP)
Premier League clubs shattered their record of £3.1 billion in transfer fees in one window on deadline day as Manchester City closed in on a £125 million deal for Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez and signed Iliman Ndiaye.
City spearheaded a frantic final day of spending as they aim to arm Enzo Maresca with a squad capable of winning the Premier League for the first time in three seasons.
Fernandez, who previously thrived under Maresca at Chelsea, has been linked with a move to the Etihad for months.
But it took until the final hours before the 2am deadline (UAE time) for an agreement to be reportedly struck with the fee for the Argentine set to match the British transfer record that Liverpool paid for Alexander Isak on the final day of the window last year.
View this post on Instagram
Fernandez will form a completely revamped City midfield alongside England international Elliot Anderson and Moroccan Ayyoub Bouaddi, who themselves cost over a combined £200 million.
City also added Senegal forward Ndiaye from Everton in a deal worth £65 million to bolster their forward options.
"I've worked my whole life for an opportunity like this," said Ndiaye. "To be able to write my own chapter in a story that special is the chance of a lifetime and I'm determined to grab it with both hands."
Chelsea also agreed a £40 million deal to sign 18-year-old Honest Ahanor from Atalanta from 2027, with the Italy defender spending this season on loan at Crystal Palace.
Champions Arsenal, by contrast, had a quiet deadline day after their pursuit of Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez fizzled out.
The Gunners had been rivalling Barcelona for the Argentine's signature, but the Spanish champions instead turned to Arsenal to fill their need for a forward with the signing of Gabriel Jesus.
Liverpool splashed out on France forward Bradley Barcola on Monday, spending £123 million to lure him from Paris Saint-Germain.
But the Reds' attempts to further add to their squad look to have been frustrated with bids for Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr and Brighton's Yankuba Minteh knocked back, meaning Cody Gakpo is set to stay despite interest from City and Tottenham.
Liverpool did complete the signing of Belgian goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans, but the 18-year-old will be loaned back to Genk for the rest of the season.
Other Highlights
-City also completed a £65m deal for Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye. Jack Grealish returned to Everton on loan from City for another season.
-Chelsea moved quickly to replace Fernández, agreeing a £47m deal for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara.
-Sunderland won the extraordinary race for Lyon winger Malick Fofana, despite a late Crystal Palace hijack attempt.
-Newcastle signed Lille’s Matias Fernández-Pardo for £51m.
-Gabriel Jesus left Arsenal to join Barcelona on a three-year deal.
-Juventus took Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade on loan, while Harvey Elliott left Liverpool for Valencia.
-Fulham continued their curious relationship with Real Madrid by signing Manuel Ángel, their third player from the Spanish club this summer.
- Ben Chilwell returned to Crystal Palace, while Tim Iroegbunam joined Hull City in a deal worth up to £22m.
-Manchester United were linked with a late move for Rayan Aït-Nouri and Joshua Zirkzee, but neither deal happened.
