Transfer Deadline Day: The Highlights

This season’s summer transfer window saw Premier League spending exceed £1bn for the first time. Here’s a run-down of some of the most interesting business that took place on the final day of the window.

Joe Hart: England number 1 seals ‘Italian Job’

After a poor display in the European Championships for England doubt was cast over Joe Hart’s future at Manchester City. Pep Guardiola has allowed the 29-year-old keeper to go on loan to Italian side Torino.

Torino are Juventus’ local rivals (both are from the Northern Italian city of Turin, traditional home of the Fiat motor company and home of cinema’s famous Italian Job heist, hence the unforgivable pun). Torino haven’t won the Serie A since the 1975-76 season and lack the financial muscle or European presence of the squad Hart is used to. The move is an interesting one as many would have expected Hart to move to a more high profile club, despite his poor Euros performance.

Manchester City fans were sad to see Hart go and the keeper’s last home game was an emotional affair. “Stand up, if you love Joe Hart,” was the chant and by all accounts the England stopper was overcome with emotion.

David Luiz returns to Chelsea as they invest defensively

A last minute deal saw the Brazilian centre back return to Stamford Bridge after two years at PSG for a fee rumoured to be around the £30m mark.

The unorthodox and immensely skilful defender could well slot into a 3 at the back system if manager Conte is tempted to renew the tactic that worked so well for him at Juventus and with the Italy international side.

Marcos Alonso is also believed to have arrived at Chelsea for a fee in the region of £24m. Another defensive addition to the blues’ squad.

Islam Slimani: Sporting Lisbon to Leicester

Reportedly joining for a club record fee of £29m, Slimani is an Algerian international and scored 27 goals for Sporting last season. While this goal tally is promising it remains to be seen whether he copes with the quality of Premier League defences.

Close links with Algeria team mate and Leicester City player Riyad Mahrez apparently paved the way for this move.

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Burnley finally splash the cash (a bit) - Jeff Hendrick to Burnley

Irish international Jeff Hendrick departed Championship Derby to join Burnley for a £10.5m price tag. While it seems small in the grand scheme of things given current Premier League spending, this is Burnley’s record transfer fee and does something to combat their reputation of being overly tight-fisted when it comes to buying players.

Being unwilling to spend in the transfer window was arguably Burnley’s undoing during their last spell in the Premier League. Their squad worked hard and performed admirably, but losing players like Danny Ings without replacing them was fatal in terms of their season.

Now, back in the Premier League. Will £8m Steven Defour and £10.5m Jeff Hendrick give Burnley enough firepower to do battle with the big boys? Hendrick put in eye catching performances in the Euros for the Republic of Ireland, against serious opposition. That experience could be crucial in determining how valuable he becomes in Premier League terms.

Notable Loans (one REALLY notable)

Transfer deadline this time round has seen a lot of loans, where normally permanent deals would be the norm for Premier League teams business.

As already outlined, Joe Hart moved to Torino on loan. Elsewhere Wilfried Bony goes on loan to Stoke from Manchester City and will be a notable addition to their goal threat. Samir Nasri also leaves City on loan, his destination is Sevilla where he will also be a high profile addition to their squad. Eliaquim Mangala is the third loan-leaver from City; in stark contrast to Joe Hart he’s unlikely to missed by City fans. Despite his impressive athleticism he lacked tactical awareness in his appearances for City and defensive slip-ups weren’t un-common.

The REALLY notable loan - Jack Wilshere to Bournemouth (yes, you read that right,) Arsenal part ways, at least for now, with the gutsy England midfielder. Hopefully he’ll avoid relapsing into another spate of injuries and Premier League audiences will get to see him get some game time. He’s an exciting player and a game-changer, many will be surprised to see him leave Arsenal.

World Cup winner to West Ham

Alvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid and Spain international player was released by the Spanish giants this summer. He has previous Premier League experience having played for Liverpool, he left the Merseyside team in 2007 for Madrid.

His experience is sure to be valuable for the Hammers and gaining a proven winner like Arbeloa without a transfer fee is an immensely astute piece of business.

The race for Sissoko’s signature: Tottenham beat Everton in a photo finish

In a piece of last minute business Moussa Sissoko heads to Tottenham for £30m after he rejected interest from Everton. The Newcastle striker looks to add to Spurs’ firepower having grabbed attention in his France international games during this summer’s European championships.

BEYOND DEADLINE DAY

Manchester United got all their business done very early in the transfer window, leaving no business still to be done on the final day. Many have sung the praises of Mourinho’s approach to summer dealings as the squad have been left with more preparation time, which will perhaps allow them to better settle as a unit.

Elsewhere Middlesbrough’s business, also mainly taking place before deadline day, saw some big names come to the Premier League new-comers. Aitor Karanka masterminded some brilliant purchases - ex-Barcelona legend Victor Valdes joined from Manchester United and powerhouse striker Alvaro Negredo (who not long ago played in Manchester City blue,) were the most notable additions to the squad. They inject a level of quality rarely found in a newly promoted team and will give Middlesbrough fans hope for a great season.

Transfer Deadline Day: The Highlights

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