Manchester United’s search for a striker ended with the signing of veteran free agent striker Edinson Cavani, while Arsenal secured Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid on transfer deadline day.
The 33-year-old Cavani is prolific - scoring 200 goals in 301 games during seven years at Paris Saint-Germain but he was released at the end of his contract in June. And the Uruguay forward has not played since March and struggled with injury problems in his final season at PSG.
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It took Arsenal meeting a 50 million euro release clause to sign the 27-year-old Partey, who anchored Atletico’s midfield with his strong defensive skills. Mixing speed and strength, the Ghanaian can provide a shield for the Arsenal defense and has an eye for goal.
"He is a dynamic midfielder with great energy,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. “He’s an intelligent footballer and we’re looking forward to him integrating into our system.”
Arsenal has made significant financial investment in Partey despite announcing plans in August to make 55 staff redundant to stem the losses caused by the pandemic, which has seen stadiums closed to fans. The spending strengthening the squad is necessary to return to the Champions League, with Arsenal fourth in the early standings.
Man United’s leadership had also warned its transfer activities would be hampered by the impact of the coronavirus, and was priced out of a move for 20-year-old Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho.
Instead, with United reeling from a 6-1 loss to Tottenham in the English Premier League on Sunday, ended up with a player in the twilight of his career in Cavani.
Given Cavani has been available for months, it is a sign of where he ranked on United’s target list that he was signed only in the final hours of the transfer window.
"I look forward to continuing to write my little story inside the book of football,” Cavani said, “and I know that’s why my focus has to remain the same as always - work, work, work.”
The Uruguayan has signed a one-season contract with the option for an additional year, and United’s second game after the international break is against PSG in the Champions League on Ocober. 20.
"His goal-scoring record for club and country is fantastic, and we are delighted to sign a player of his calibre,” United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said. “He’ll bring energy, power, leadership and a great mentality to the squad but, most importantly, he’ll bring goals,” he added.
Solskjaer has been deploying Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood up front. The last striker United signed was a backup- Odion Ighalo on deadline day in January.
"The opportunity for our young players to learn from one of Europe’s top goalscorers over the last 10 years is fantastic,” Solskjaer said, “and it will really benefit them going forward.”
United’s need for reinforcements has been exposed by Solskjaer’s side collecting only three points from its first three league games.
Five deals were completed by United on deadline day including another Uruguayan, with 18-year-old winger Facundo Pellistri joining from Penarol in his homeland for 10 million euros.
United also signed left back Alex Telles from Porto for 15 million euros plus potentially another 2 million euros depending on the 27-year-old Brazilian’s success with the club.
The 16-year-old center back Willy Kambwala joined from Sochaux in a deal that could rise to four million euros. United struck an agreement with Atalanta that could ultimately cost 41 million euros to sign winger Amad Diallo, with the 18-year-old Ivorian set to move to England in January.
An outgoing from Old Trafford was center back Chris Smalling joining Roma permanently after spending last season on loan at the Serie A club. Smalling was a link with the Alex Ferguson era, winning Premier League titles in 2011 and 2013. The record 20-time English champion has not won the title since then.
Pellistri joined United from Club Atletico Penarol on a five-year contract, with an option to extend for a further year.
The speedy teenager has already featured 37 times for the Uruguayan Primera Division club's first team.
Highly-rated Ivorian Diallo, 18, whose signing could cost United up to 37 million pounds including add-ons, is not expected to join until January due to work-permit issues.
- Walcott returns to Southampton -
Theo Walcott joined Southampton on a season-long loan from Everton almost 15 years since he departed from the south coast as a teenager.
“I had a few opportunities from other clubs, but as soon as Southampton came in for me, it’s part of me and has made me into the player I am. It’s in my heart,” he said.
He added, “I will probably cry, I bet, when I first play, and it means so much. All the people that made it happen, I can’t thank them enough. Honestly, I’m so pleased.”
- Godfrey moves to Everton -
Everton is the surprise leader after winning four out of four. And after remodeling his midfield to great effect, Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti added a defender by bringing in Ben Godfrey from second-tier Norwich for a reported 25 million pounds.
The 22-year-old Godfrey was part of the Norwich team that was relegated from the Premier League last season, but is regarded as a top prospect and was captain of England Under-21s last year.
With Mason Holgate and Jarrad Branthwaite injured, Ancelotti has no backup to center backs Yerry Mina and Michael Keane as Everton looks to maintain its brilliant start to the season.
Everton has prioritised improving its midfield in this transfer window, signing Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure and playmaker James Rodriguez, and it has had an immediate effect.
Carlo Ancelotti's team also brought in Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen on a season-long loan from AS Roma.
- Wilshere leaves West Ham -
Jack Wilshere is searching for a new club after agreeing with West Ham to terminate his contract.
The 28-year-old midfielder managed just 19 appearances since joining from Arsenal in 2018.
"I have been fully fit for a large period of my time at the club,” Wilshere said, “including over the course of the last eight months - training hard every day - but unfortunately have not been given the opportunity to play.”
- Bayern, Juve bring in new forces -
The right back position had long been a focus for Bayern, who won the Bundesliga and Champions League last season and the 28-year-old Sarr joins from Marseille on a four year contract.
"Bouna Sarr is a dynamic right back who fits in very well with the way we approach our game. He'll help us in an important position," said Bayern's board member for sport Hasan Salihamidzic.
Douglas Costa left Bayern for Juventus three years ago and will add to the club's already impressive options in the wide areas.
Paris Saint Germain signed 27-year-old Brazilian midfielder Rafinha from Barcelona on a three-year deal.
In Italy, the biggest move of the day was Juventus signing Fiorentina winger Federico Chiesa in a 50 million euro ($58.92 million) deal.
The 22-year-old was raised at Fiorentina and is the son of former player Enrico Chiesa who was in the team which won Fiorentinas last major trophy, the Coppa Italia in 2001.
Juve's major signing for this season was Brazilian midfielder Arthur from Barcelona. It is also signed Alvaro Morata from Atletico Madrid and U.S. midfielder Weston McKennie from Schalke 04.
Napoli signed striker Tiemoue Bakayoko from Chelsea on loan, re-uniting with manager Gennaro Gattuso, who was at AC Milan when the Frenchman spent a spell on loan at the San Siro.
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