You have to wonder why clubs leave it so late to complete their transfer business, yet every year the transfer excitement rumbles onto deadline day, where last minute deals thrill and excite fans across the country. And this year was no different with a raft of late signings taking the expenditure by Premier League clubs in this window past £600m.
Arsenal led the way on deadline day, with what can only be classed as the signing of the season, in the shape of German superstar Mesut Ozil. The £42.5m acquisition from Real Madrid should light up the Premier League, and this was a case of a move triggered by the arrival of Gareth Bale in the Spanish capital. Arsene Wenger said that he only sought players of the highest calibre, and Ozil certainly fits the bill; Arsenal’s problem is that one signing may not be enough.
However good Ozil may be, you still feel Arsenal needed a quality goalkeeper, centre half and striker, if they are to truly challenge for the most prestigious of silverware. Nevertheless the move signifies a a step forward, and will surely placate Arsenal fans who have criticised the club’s lack of ambition.
Whilst Manchester City, Tottenham and Chelsea enjoyed quiet deadline days, after completing their business early, champions Manchester United endured a stressful day, which eventually culminated in the signature of Belgian Marouane Fellaini from Everton. A £27.5m price tag heaps the pressure on the midfielder, who is admired by Moyes, but only time will tell if he can chip in with the goals and all round play to help United stave off the challenge of their rivals.
Transfer chains develop, and often two or three moves hinge on the completion of one. The most obvious case was in the Fellaini deal, with Everton acting to replace their man, with Gareth Barry and James McCarthy arriving at the club. Add in the loan signing of Romelu Lukaku and it was a good day for Roberto Martinez, as three quality players should boost his squad.
The red side of Merseyside were equally happy, as Victor Moses, Mamadou Sakho and Tiago Ilori all arrived at the table topping side. With Luis Suarez also remaining at the club, it’s been a good few weeks for Liverpool, who will surely be delighted with their business in this window. The target will be to regain ground on the top five, and an excellent start to the season bodes well for the coming months. Perhaps there will finally be smiles at Anfield again, after a difficult period for the club.
West Brom were one of a number of other teams busy on deadline day, as Steve Clarke brought in a number of new faces to boost his squad. After missing out on Romelu Lukaku, the Baggies had to settle for Victor Anichebe, who will have a point to prove after a series of troubled seasons at Everton. Morgan Amalfitano appears a clever signing on a season-long loan as does new record signing Stephane Sessegnon from Sunderland, whilst Shane Long missed out on a move to Hull.
Of the new sides to the Premier League, Crystal Palace were the most active, but still missed out on former striker Andy Johnson. Instead Cameron Jerome arrived on loan, along with Barry Bannan and Adrian Mariappa, but I still fear for Palace who appear to be one of, if not the weakest side in the league this year.
Meanwhile Paolo Di Canio concluded his busy summer by signing Italian duo Fabio Borini and Andrea Dossena, but with star man Stephane Sessegnon leaving, Sunderland appear vulnerable after a poor start to the season. Stoke City meanwhile added two new faces to their squad with Stephen Ireland and Marko Arnautovic arriving in the Potteries, whilst worryingly for England Jack Butland has remained at the club.
So all in all it has been a busy last 24 hours of the transfer window, with excitement and drama as per usual. Elsewhere Gareth Bale was officially revealed as a Real Madrid player, whilst AC Milan made the swoop of the season, signing Kaka on a free transfer. Now that is what I call a bargain…