English Premier League Clubs Scramble As Europe’s Transfer Deadline Day Expires
Oct 5, 2020, 3:48 PM | Updated: 4:15 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Soccer clubs across Europe are looking to close deals and strengthen their teams in the midst of their respective seasons. Big names are always on the move as the hour’s tick on by, here are the biggest names on the move as the deadline shuts.
Arsenal
Thomas Partey
Partey is joining Arsenal on a permanent move from Atletico Madrid. The holding midfielder is a key piece to a Gunner’s side that needs the tenacity that Partey provides. Partey has the ability to be a dominant force in the heart of the midfield for Arsenal, his skillset is diverse. Defensively he is determined but he also has the ability to push forward and execute in front of goal.
He has reportedly joined the Gunners for a $143 million.
Arsenal are trying to conclude a deadline day deal for Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid.
This is the latest on that transfer 👉 https://t.co/RJ4X812f9E#bbcfootball #DeadlineDay pic.twitter.com/N00j7RpTcM
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 5, 2020
The news comes following the announcement that french midfielder Mattéo Guendouzi has left Arsenal on loan and will play the remainder of the season at Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin.
Manchester United
Alex Telles
Manchester United entered the transfer window with expectations of signing Jadon Sancho, bolstering their attack and bringing hope to United fans around the world that the Red Devil’s can get back to competing for Premier League glory.
New Manchester United signing Alex Telles can hit them ☄️
(🎥 @ligaportugal & @vsports_pt) pic.twitter.com/DA8K8cwuYR
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 5, 2020
Although the signing of Telles was not as important to United fans as Sancho was, Telles is still a brilliant signing. The FC Porto left-back brings a wealth of experience and class to the backline of United. Telles has the ability to stretch opposing teams and add flair to an otherwise stagnant backline for United.
Edinson Cavani
Cavani, 33, joins United with the expectation of replacing Lukaku who left the Red Devils a year an a half ago. Cavani joins United as a free agent, who last played for Paris Saint-German in Ligue 1.
Sancho was the main target for United, however, Cavani offers a threat in front of goal that could catapult the Red Devils up the standings. Cavani will play alongside the likes of Rashford, Greenwood, Fernandes and Martial and if he can create chemistry with the firepower that they already have then United could contend for the premier league this season.
Will Edinson Cavani prove a smart signing for Manchester United? pic.twitter.com/39VTqmosYq
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) October 5, 2020
Amad Diallo
United has also reached an agreement with Atalanta for the future transfer of Amad Diallo who will join the Red Devils in January for a transfer fee of $48 million.
Chris Smalling
Smalling has been with United for ten seasons but will now depart the club he has called home for a decade and play for Roma in Serie A. Smalling played 206 games for United while also adding 31 caps for the English National Team.
Smalling played for Roma during the 2019-20 season on loan, but will now call Rome home as the move from United is on a permanent basis.
Leeds United
Raphinha
The Brazillian and former Rennes winger has joined Leeds and Marcelo Bielsa for $23 million. Raphinha played 22 games for Ligue 1 club Rennes where he was able to score 6 goals.
#LUFC have completed the signing of Rennes winger Raphinha, subject to international clearance.
The 23-year-old has moved to Elland Road for an undisclosed fee after signing a four-year deal through to the summer of 2024.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 5, 2020
Prior to Rennes, he had stints at Sporting CP, Vitória Guimarães and Avai where his professional career began.
Everton
Ben Godfrey
Godfrey, 22, has made the move from Norwhich City and will join Everton on a $23 million fee. Godfrey still has a lot of developing to do before he solidifies himself as a starting center back in the Premier League’s top of the table club.
For any #EFC supporters wondering what kind of player they're getting in Ben Godfrey, watch this clip. He's the furthest player forward. #ncfc pic.twitter.com/0HYu5k7BNG
— MSW (@Canaries1975) October 1, 2020
Nonetheless, Godfrey is a signing that has Toffee fans excited for the future. Godfrey is a player that can help bolster an already formidable backline and will likely be a key figure for the Toffees’ for the foreseeable future.
Southampton
Theo Walcott
Walcott,31, returns home to the club in which his professional career began 15 years ago, Southampton. Walcott began his career with Southampton’s Academy as just a teenager before embarking on a remarkable career that includes stints at Arsenal and Everton.
The former English National Team star will join Southampton on loan from Everton.
Deadline Day Winner & Loser
The Thomas Partey and Arsenal signing stands head and shoulder in front of any other signing that took place in England on transfer deadline day. Partey will provide everything that Mikel Arteta is trying to accomplish at Arsenal and will likely have an immediate impact for the Gunners.
Manchester United, on the other hand, feel as though that they are scratching and clawing on deadline day to boost their squad. The inability to come to terms with Borussia Dortmund for Jadon Sancho will long leave a sour taste in the mouths of United supporters. Can Cavani be the answer to United’s goalscoring woes? The chances are slim.