In the frantic closing hours before Friday’s transfer deadline, Manchester United added Sofyan Amrabat on loan as one of three players who arrived at Old Trafford. Meanwhile, Liverpool allegedly rejected a $190 million (£150 million) bid from Saudi Arabia for Mohamed Salah.
In addition to selling Cole Palmer to Chelsea and acquiring Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest in the other two significant transactions of the day, Manchester City pounced for Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes in a £53 million deal.
According to financial specialists Deloitte, English top-flight teams broke their previous record for spending on new players during this window, with the total reaching £2 billion for the first time.
“The league has that kind of competitive intensity. “That’s driving spending, whether it’s competing for the championship, competing for spots in Europe, or just staying in the league,” said Calum Ross, associate director in Deloitte’s Sports Business Group.
“There are ten clubs that have spent more than £100 million.”
Amrabat, one of the heroes of Morocco’s march to the World Cup semifinals, will join United from Fiorentina for a 10 million euro (£8.6 million) loan fee with the option to purchase for a further 25 million euro next year. United waited until the very last minute to finalize the agreement for Amrabat.
On deadline day, Amrabat joined the Red Devils along with Spanish left-back Sergio Reguilon, who was with Spurs, and Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayindir from Fenerbahce.
Amrabat was quoted in a United release as saying, “I’ve had to wait for this moment, but I’m someone who always listens to my heart and now I’m representing the club of my dreams.
Mason Greenwood left United on Friday and signed a loan with Getafe in Spain.
Following charges of assault against him involving a young lady, the club and Greenwood mutually decided that the forward should continue his career elsewhere.
With the £35 million acquisition of Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich, Liverpool’s midfield makeover was complete.
Al-Ittihad’s effort to entice Salah to Saudi Arabia failed, but the Reds remained steadfast.
“The situation is unchanged. There is absolutely no question about that, according to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, regarding the Reds’ intention to retain the 31-year-old player, whose contract has two more years to go.
The transfer window in Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, doesn’t end until September 7.
Three-peat winners After losing Ilkay Gundogan and dealing with Kevin De Bruyne’s long-term hamstring injury, City strengthened their midfield options by bringing in Portugal international Nunes.
I just couldn’t pass up the chance to work with some of the finest players in the world and under one of the greatest coaches of all time, Pep Guardiola, said Nunes.
City made a profit on Palmer for an initial £40 million, bringing Chelsea’s investment on new players under American ownership to more than £1 billion in little over a year.
Palmer and Chelsea agreed on a seven-year deal, with add-on clauses that allowed Chelsea to pay City an additional £2.5 million.
Last month, the 21-year-old scored goals in both the Community Shield and the UEFA Super Cup.
Palmer, who this year assisted England in winning the Under-21 European Championship, has been persuaded by Chelsea’s strategy to make significant investments in young players.
Palmer added, “I joined Chelsea because the concept seems excellent here and because of the platform I will have to attempt to demonstrate my abilities.
“This team is young and hungry, and hopefully we can accomplish something special.”
Johnson cost £47.5 million, part of the Harry Kane money that Tottenham spent.
With that money, Forest strengthened their team across the board, bringing in former England winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, midfielder Nicolás Dominguez, and Greek goalie Odysseas Vlachodimos in the closing hours of the transfer season.
Ansu Fati, a Spanish international winger from Barcelona, was acquired by Brighton in a significant coup.
When he first appeared on the scene four years ago, Fati was thought to be one of Europe’s most promising young players. Unfortunately, injuries cut short his development.
“This is fantastic news for us all. Roberto De Zerbi, the manager of Brighton, said: “I’m certain Ansu can assist us to attain a new goal and we can help him get back to the level he deserves to be.