Transfer deadline day: PSG, Chelsea agree on David Luiz return; Latest moves, rumors
Transfer deadline day came and went, but not without the typical slew of moves, rumors and wheeling and dealing throughout Europe.
At the end of it all, 13 Premier League clubs set new team records for transfer fees, and others spent millions upon millions in spending trying to finish tweaking their rosters for the season ahead–or at least until January when they'll have a chance to add reinforcements again. The summer window is where the biggest names typically move, though, as has been the case with the who's who of international superstars who have swapped shirts and home addresses in exchange for massive paydays and a shot at silverware.
So who followed the likes of Paul Pogba, Gonzalo Higuain, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, N'Golo Kante, Mats Hummels, Renato Sanches and many more and changed clubs before the deadline hit?
Transfer deadline primer: Names on the block, need areas for big clubs
Here is the rundown of the rumors, loans and transfers before the window slammed shut:
Wednesday, August 31 – Deadline Day
Chelsea brings back David Luiz: Chelsea has brought David Luiz back from PSG. The Brazilian cost PSG £50 million two years ago in a record deal and will reportedly cost Chelsea about £33 million to bring him back. Chelsea had announced that the two clubs have reached a deal, then finalized it by agreeing to personal terms after Luiz passed a physical.
Chelsea loans out Miazga: Luiz takes the roster spot of U.S. defender Matt Miazga, who was nearing a loan deal to Espanyol in La Liga, only for it to fall apart prior to the deadline, according to SI's Grant Wahl. Instead, Miazga heads to Vitesse in the Netherlands.
Chelsea loans Cuadrado to Juventus: In a busy day for the Blues, midfielder Juan Cuadrado is headed back to Juventus on loan until 2019, the Serie A champion announced. Cuadrado enjoyed a successful loan spell last season and joins a considerable summer haul for Juve, which includes Gonzalo Higuain, Dani Alves, Miralem Pjanic and Mehdi Benatia.
Dortmund not selling, loaning Pulisic: SI's Grant Wahl reports that 17-year-old American Christian Pulisic will be staying put at Borussia Dortmund during this transfer window.
Balotelli finds a home: Mario Balotelli will head to French club Nice on a permanent deal from Liverpool, ending a summer-long saga regarding his future after manager Jurgen Klopp made it clear he had no future at Anfield.
Wilshere joins Bournemouth for the season: Jack Wilshere is headed to Bournemouth for the season, with the Arsenal and England midfielder attracting reported interest from the Cherries, Crystal Palace, AS Roma and AC Milan. He'll remain in the Premier League, looking for an injury-free season that gets him back on track.
Slimani moves to Leicester: A day after Leicester reportedly had a bid for Islam Slimani rejected, the Algeria forward is a member of the reigning Premier League champions. After passing his physical, he has completed his reported £30 million move to King Power Stadium.
Man City's mass loan exodus: Seven players are headed away from Manchester City today. Joe Hart is officially a Serie A goalkeeper, completing his one-year loan from Manchester City to Torino. Another out-of-favor player under Pep Guardiola, Samir Nasri is headed to Sevilla for the season, with the parties securing a loan deal. Wilfried Bony is gone as well, joining fellow Premier League side Stoke City on loan for the season. Elaquim Mangala will also be elsewhere this season, with Valencia signing him on loan despite interest from his former club, Porto. Three other players left City on loan, too: Jason Denayer to Sunderland, Shay Facey to Heerenveen and Kean Bryan to Bury.
Witsel to Juventus falls through: Axel Witsel was all lined up to join Juventus from Zenit, but the move reportedly fell through when Zenit was unable to acquire a replacement. The Belgian international can join Juventus for free next summer when his contract expires (or during the winter transfer window for a fee).
Pogba leaves! But not that Pogba. Mathias Pogba, one of Paul's older brothers, has canceled his contract with Scottish club Partick Thistle by mutual consent.
Galatasaray confirms De Jong transfer: Nigel De Jong's stay in MLS appears to be over. The hard-tackling midfielder is headed from the LA Galaxy to Galatasaray, the Turkish club confirms. De Jong had a contract stipulation with the Galaxy that if he played a certain threshold of games this season, he'd have a salary hike and become a Designated Player next season. That financial worry is off the Galaxy's books now.
Arbeloa joins West Ham: Former Spain international and Real Madrid and Liverpool fullback Alvaro Arbeloa is a Hammer, joining West Ham on a free transfer and signing a one-year deal.
Tottenham inks Nkoudou: Spurs have signed Georges-Kevin Nkoudou from Marseille, adding the speedy 21-year-old winger through 2021.
Marcos Alonso heads to Chelsea: Fiorentina left back Marcos Alonso has completed a £23 million move to Chelsea, which has been eyeing depth at the fullback positions.
Tottenham, Everton tussle for Sissoko: The Toffees appeared set to bring French midfielder Moussa Sissoko in on a club-record £30 million transfer, but Spurs have reportedly matched it and are the preferred destination for Sissoko. Everton, as a consolation, has signed Ecuador's Enner Valencia on loan from West Ham.
Werder Bremen buys Gnabry from Arsenal: Serge Gnabry is headed to his homeland, with Bundesliga's Werder Bremen buying the German Olympic silver medalist and Arsenal for an undisclosed fee.
Stoke City bolsters back line: Stoke has signed Netherlands international defender Bruno Martins Indi from Porto on loan for the season with an eye on making it a permanent deal.
Isco says he's staying at Real Madrid: Isco has been linked to a possible move to Tottenham, but the midfielder appears to be staying put after telling Spanish media that he will not be leaving the Bernabeu:
Sunderland signs Didier N'Dong: David Moyes welcomes yet another signing to the Stadium of Light, with Sunderland spending €16 million to sign the 22-year-old central midfielder from Lorient.
Hull adds to attack with Mbokani: Hull City has been one of the surprises of the Premier League season, and it's bolstered its thin ranks with the signing of forward Dieumerci Mbokani from Dynamo Kiev.
Schalke brings in Konoplyanka from Sevilla: Ukraine international Yevhen Konoplyanka will spend the season on loan at Schalke, the Bundesliga club announced.
Nantes eyeing Chicago's Accam? ESPN's Taylor Twellman reports that FC Nantes is looking to sign Chicago Fire Designated Player David Accam. Even though MLS's transfer window is shut, the league can still offload players to other leagues whose window are open. Ligue 1's window closes Wednesday.
Tuesday, August 30
Arsenal polishes off Perez, Mustafi moves: Arsenal has at long last bagged its striker and central defender, as Lucas Perez moves from Deportivo La Coruña for a reported £17 million. The move comes after failed attempts at signing Jamie Vardy and Alexandre Lacazette. The club also finalized the signing of Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia.
Gabigol goes to Inter: As expected, Gabigol joins Joao Mario as new signings for Frank De Boer at Inter Milan. The Olympic gold medalist has signed a five-year deal at the San Siro.
Remy loaned to Crystal Palace: Chelsea forward Loic Remy will spend the season on loan at Crystal Palace. He is reunited with manager Alan Pardew, under whom he played at Newcastle.
Kenedy loaned to Watford: Chelsea wasn't done offloading, sending young Brazilian defender/winger Kenedy to fellow Premier League side Watford for the season.
Palace rejects Spurs bid for Zaha: Palace maintains it doesn't want to sell Wilfried Zaha, with Tottenham's latest £21 million bid for the English winger rejected by his club. Tottenham is said to be moving on from its pursuit.
West Brom spends big for Chadli: West Brom spent a club-record £13 million to lure Nacer Chadli from Tottenham. That record is expected to be reset, with the club said to be closing in on a £15 million deal for Malaga's Ignacio Camacho.
Monday, August 29
PSG bids big for Draxler: Julian Draxler is a big name who could be on the move in the next few days, and reports are swirling that Paris Saint-Germain is preparing a massive €75 million bid for the Wolfsburg and Germany playmaker.
Liverpool won't happen for Pulisic: Christian Pulisic's immediate future is of great interest for U.S. fans, with SI's Grant Wahl reporting that rumblings of a Stoke City bid are false, while Red Bull Leipzig is preparing a €15 million offer. Another report surfaced over the weekend that Liverpool was bidding €11 million for the 17-year-old American, but ESPNFC reports that Pulisic won't be heading to Anfield anytime soon.
Ozil helps sell Mustafi on Arsenal: Shkodran Mustafi appears headed to Arsenal after a lengthy transfer saga, and it turns out the Germany international was lured to London by countryman and Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil.
Chambers leaves Arsenal on loan: While one defender comes in, another appears headed out of the Emirates, with Calum Chambers joining Middlesbrough on loan for the remainder of the season.
Zaza joins West Ham on loan: Simone Zaza has left Juventus for West Ham, on loan for the season. The Italian forward, known for his atrocious penalty kick attempt at Euro 2016, is West Ham's 11th signing this summer.
