Tottenham leave it late for spending spree
Tottenham famously spent nothing in the English transfer window a year ago before reaching the Champions League final, but the north Londoners made two deals for manager Mauricio Pochettino on a dramatic deadline day.
Argentina midfielder Giovani Lo Celso joined the Premier League club from Spanish side Real Betis on a seasonlong loan with an option for a permanent switch on Thursday.
He was joined by highly rated 19-yearold Ryan Sessegnon, who was bought from Fulham for a reported initial fee of £25 million (NZ$47 million) – the England under-21 left wing-back signing a fiveyear deal.
However, Pochettino will be disappointed that a proposed move for striker Paulo Dybala fell through after Italian champions Juventus decided not to sell the 25-year-old forward.
Tottenham’s north London rivals Arsenal were also active before the window shut, spending a reported £25 million on Celtic’s highly-rated Scotland left-back Kieran Tierney.
They also completed the surprise signing of Brazil defender David Luiz from London rivals Chelsea in an £8 million (NZ$15 million) deal.
The duo’s deadline-day arrival takes Arsenal’s summer arrivals to six, joining Nicolas Pepe, Dani Ceballos, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli at the Emirates Stadium, though Saliba has been loaned back to St Etienne.
Unai Emery’s side said goodbye to midfielder Alex Iwobi who has signed for Everton on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
Manchester United succeeded in offloading striker Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan. Belgian Lukaku, who spent two years with United after £75 million (NZ$140 million) move from Everton, joined Inter for a fee reported to be around €80 million (NZ$138 million).
United had already invested heavily to bring in England international centreback Harry Maguire from Leicester City for £80 million (NZ$150 million), making him the most expensive defender in the world.
Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has also added right-back Aaron Wan-bissaka and winger Dan James, while some fringe players may yet move out while the European transfer window remains open until September 2.
Former England striker Andy Carroll has rejoined his boyhood club Newcastle United, eight years after leaving them to join Liverpool in a then British record transfer.
The injury-plagued 30-year-old was a free agent after being released by West Ham at the end of last season.
Watford signed Senegal winger Ismaila Sarr from French club Rennes on a five- year deal for a club-record fee reported to be in the region of £32 million (NZ$60 million).
Leicester have signed Belgian midfielder Dennis Praet on a five-year deal from Sampdoria, with the transfer fee reported by British media to be around £18 million.
Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater, who has struggled to get game time in the two years at Stamford Bridge since his move from Leicester, joined Burnley on a six-month loan deal.
Australia international midfielder Aaron Mooy moved from second-tier Huddersfield Town, who were relegated from the top flight last season, to Brighton & Hove Albion on a season-long loan.
Mooy was key to Huddersfield winning promotion to the Premier League in 2017, and scored seven goals in 65 topflight appearances before the Terriers were relegated in May.
Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, who had been linked by the British media with moves to Arsenal and Everton, did not leave the south London club in the current transfer window.
Southampton striker Charlie Austin has joined Championship side West Brom for an undisclosed fee that British media reported was £4 million.