Across the big five leagues, there were 214 transfers made on September 1, aka the transfer Deadline Day. That represented 11.3% of all moves made during the two month window, which opened on July 1.
The Premier League actually tied the always-active Serie A with the largest number of total moves in or out (76). But which of these will have the biggest impact? Let’s explore.
Enzo Fernández (Chelsea -> Manchester City $164.9M)
If you needed any more proof that transfer fees are out of control, here it is. Almost $165M to purchase a player who was booed by his own club in his final game, and walked off the field post-match alone while his teammates applauded the traveling supporters. Not to mention a player who was sent off in the World Cup final for upending Pau Cubarsí in one of the nastiest challenges we’ve seen in years.
Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal -> Barcelona $11.4M)
This move closes the book on the Brazilian striker’s nine-and-a-half year career in the Premier League. It also crushes the dreams of Palmeiras supporters who were hoping Jesus would make a triumphant and emotional return to his boyhood club. Instead, he’ll warm a bench at the Camp Nou.
Malick Fofana (Lyon -> Sunderland $34.1M)
Sunderland and Crystal Palace were locked in one of the weirdest Deadline Day battles for winger Fofana. Palace manager Pierre Sage, who coached Fofana in the past, reportedly called the player and persuaded him to turn away from the Black Cats. At one point, two private jets were parked on the Lyon airport’s tarmac, one from each club.
The deciding moment then came when Sunderland owner, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, flew to Lyon to speak with the Belgian international directly (we assume throwing a third private jet into the count). Aside from the horrific carbon footprint this transfer generated, it also pushed Fofana’s signing into record territory for Sunderland.
Mykhailo Mudryk (Chelsea -> Tottenham Hotspur, loan)
“I think Mudryk can win the Ballon d’Or in the future. I know the value of Mudryk. He has the potential to win the Ballon d’Or.”
Roberto De Zerbi
Social media had a field day with this one, most falsely attributing that statement as a recent one, and not from December 2022 when De Zerbi (then managing Brighton) was commenting on his time coaching Mudryk at Shakhtar. Well, they’re back together.
Also, this is apparently the first transfer (loan or sale) between the two clubs since 2009?! Crazy. And they went and did a second when center-back Tosin Adarabioyo left Stamford Bridge for $13.2M.
Folarin Balogun (AS Monaco -> Everton, scrapped)
Not all transfer stories are success stories. Cue up this bizarro storyline that concerned Folarin Balogun. Everton was counting on the forward to join after selling two other attacking players (Beto and Iliman Ndiaye) to raise funds. However, Balogun reportedly failed his medical, prompting furious negotiations between the two clubs to restructure the terms of the deal. This was apparently hammered out an hour before the midnight deadline, only for the American to pull out of the deal entirely. His decision had the knock-on effect of nullifying Erik Lira’s transfer from América to Monaco. Damn.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Lille -> Newcastle, $68.2M)
It’s not a splashy transfer, but the acquisition of this 21 year-old striker from Lille is notable since it effectively ends the torturous tenure of Nick Woltemade. Fernandez-Pardo’s numbers aren’t stellar (8g/5a in 29 games), but that beat Woltemade’s 8g/3a in 33 games. At 6’2” Fernandez-Pardo is shorter than the German, but Newcastle staff must like his upside. And let’s be honest, Woltemade turned out to be a very expensive dud. The Magpies happily shipped him off to Juventus on a year-long loan, pocketed the $4.2M load fee, and wiped their hands clean.
Crystal Palace Executives Need to Lay off the Energy Drinks
You’d think the South London club was sponsored by Red Bull given their insane activity on Deadline Day. Not only were they sending jets over to Lyon (see above), but they also completed or registered deal sheets for another EIGHT transfers.
- IN
- Quinten Timber (Marseille -> Crystal Palace $22.7M)
- Honest Ahanor (Atalanta -> Crystal Palace, loan)
- Darío Osorio (Midtjylland -> Crystal Palace, loan w/ $2.3M fee)
- a last minute scramble after Fofana fell through.
- Ben Chilwell (R. Strasbourg -> Crystal Palace, terms undisclosed)
- Chilwell won the FA Cup when on loan in 2025. He’ll be the backup for Tyrick Mitchell.
- OUT
- Romain Esse (Crystal Palace -> Millwall, loan)
- Yes, they purchased Esse from Millwall in Jan. 2025.
- Justin Devenny (Crystal Palace -> Stoke City, $6.6M)
- I have to think that this is a reaction sale due to Timber’s arrival.
- David Ozoh (Crystal Palace -> Derby, $5.2M)
- Makes permanent a loan that’s been in place two seasons.
- Borna Sosa (Crystal Palace -> 1.FC Köln, loan)
- Romain Esse (Crystal Palace -> Millwall, loan)
Is there no Bottom to Hull’s Wallet?
Hull City brought in six new players on Deadline Day, spending $81.6M. That brings their grand total to 18 over the window, with a net spend of $175.4M. With two wins to start their Premier League campaign the strategy seems to be working, but let’s check in again next May.
