The curtains have closed on a truly dramatic transfer window, seeing many of European football`s biggest stars secure new clubs. Liverpool, under Arne Slot, concluded the window having shattered the British transfer record twice, investing over half a billion dollars to strengthen their championship-winning squad.
Manchester also witnessed a thrilling deadline day, with both United and City making significant goalkeeper acquisitions. Manchester City`s signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma, a European champion for both club and country, from Paris Saint-Germain was arguably the most high-profile. Beyond the Premier League`s usual transfer frenzy, other major clubs were busy: Inter secured Manuel Akanji, Juventus welcomed two new players, and Napoli also made notable moves.
Here`s a recap of some key winners and losers from the window:
Winner: Alexander Isak – A Strikeforce Triumphant
Alexander Isak emerged victorious in a standoff with some of football`s wealthiest owners. Newcastle had maintained their unwillingness to sell their prized striker all summer, valuing him at over $200 million. When Liverpool`s initial bid was rejected, prompting them to pursue Hugo Ekitike instead, Isak could have rightly feared his desired move was off. Despite potential PSR constraints, Newcastle`s financial backing from Saudi Arabia`s PIF meant they could have easily forced Isak to either rejoin Eddie Howe`s team or face months on the sidelines before a World Cup.
However, Isak remained resolute and was ultimately rewarded with a breakthrough deal in the eleventh hour. His $169 million transfer to Liverpool undoubtedly brings immense pressure, but it also represents the pinnacle of a footballer`s ambition. At 25, Isak is joining a footballing giant, with a genuine opportunity to compete for major trophies. His prime years are expected to align perfectly with those of his new teammates, and his playing style is an ideal fit. Interestingly, Hugo Ekitike, previously seen as the alternative to Isak, has seamlessly integrated into Arne Slot`s setup.
Loser: Marc Guehi – Loyalty Unrewarded?
Unlike some high-profile strikers, Marc Guehi conducted himself professionally, avoiding any protests or missed training sessions. His reward for this principled approach? No transfer to Liverpool. The Reds pursued him until the final hours of the window, tabling a $47 million offer for the highly-rated English center-back. The deal reportedly faltered due to complications, possibly involving West Ham`s actions or issues with Igor Julio`s medical examination. Ultimately, it became clear Crystal Palace would only secure one of the two center-backs they sought to replace Guehi and reinforce Oliver Glasner`s defense for the Conference League campaign.
This failed transfer might, in hindsight, carry more long-term implications than many completed deals. Only time will tell, but future players are likely to recall Guehi`s situation: a player who, after scoring what he believed was his farewell goal for Crystal Palace on Sunday, chose a respectful path and saw his dream move collapse. The transfer window, it seems, doesn`t always reward integrity.
Winners: Juventus – Strategic Reinforcements
Igor Tudor`s excellent start to the season has been further bolstered by significant attacking reinforcements in Eden Zhegrova and Lois Openda. Zhegrova`s arrival is particularly clear in its intent, given his strong previous partnership with Jonathan David at Lille, promising a potent connection in Turin. With Nicolas Gonzalez departing for Atletico Madrid after a productive 2024-25 Serie A season (three goals, two assists), Zhegrova is expected to provide strong competition and depth on the right wing, particularly against Francisco Conceicao.
Lois Openda represents another shrewd signing for Juventus. Though he experienced a less prolific 2024-25 season at RB Leipzig, like many of his former teammates, he is only one year removed from a superb 24-goal Bundesliga campaign. Openda brings a dynamic burst of pace, an asset crucial for any Serie A side, and can operate either alongside Jonathan David or as a central striker. The Juventus squad is rapidly gelling, featuring a younger core of players in their mid-20s and operating with more sustainable wage structures.
Loser: James Trafford – A Step Back?
James Trafford`s return to his boyhood club, where he started at 12, after starring in Burnley`s promotion campaign, was initially a heartwarming tale, offering him an unexpected upgrade in teammates. Trafford had appeared to be Manchester City`s potential long-term goalkeeper, a gifted shot-stopper with the capacity for significant development under Pep Guardiola. While this future remains possible for the 22-year-old, with ample time to mature and overcome early season nerves against teams like Tottenham, his immediate trajectory has shifted.
The immediate challenge for Trafford is the arrival of another high-caliber goalkeeper above him in the pecking order. Gianluigi Donnarumma, at just 26, is hardly an aging veteran, despite having almost 500 senior appearances. Donnarumma joins City at a significant cost and with a stellar reputation to uphold his substantial salary. Having been the standout goalkeeper in last season`s Champions League, his presence inevitably overshadows the Championship`s best, forcing Trafford to accept a secondary role in a critical pre-World Cup year.
Loser: Erik ten Hag – Abrupt Departure
Imagine arriving as manager of the recently dethroned German champions, aiming to `continue the ambition shown in recent years,` only to discover your inherited squad being dismantled. While some departures were anticipated – Florian Wirtz or Jeremie Frimpong were unlikely to stay after Xabi Alonso`s exit – other players you publicly insisted on retaining were sold, with management deeming Granit Xhaka`s transfer a `win-win-win` situation. Your initial three games yielded one win, one draw, and one defeat; hardly a catastrophic start.
Yet, for Erik ten Hag, this could indeed mark the end of his journey at the highest level of management. Bayer Leverkusen`s decision to sack him on deadline day was swift and decisive. No singular, clear reason was given for his dismissal, beyond sporting director Simon Rolfes` vague statement that `everything was heading in the wrong direction.`
Ten Hag`s subsequent statement conveyed palpable anger. He asserted, `A new coach deserves the opportunity to implement his vision, establish standards, mold the squad, and imprint his style of play.` He added, `I undertook this role with complete conviction and energy, but regrettably, management was unwilling to afford me the necessary time and trust. I deeply regret this, as I believe our relationship was never founded on mutual trust.`
One can certainly understand the Dutchman`s profound disappointment. Notably, no replacement was immediately lined up for the manager Rolfes and CEO Fernando Carro had appointed after failing to secure Cesc Fabregas from Como. Leverkusen hadn`t identified a preferred successor; they simply decided Ten Hag was no longer suitable. A truly harsh blow.
Winners: The Transfer Content Machine
Despite the customary fanfare surrounding transfer deadline day, it has often felt in recent times that the window`s final hours lacked significant impact on the season. Top clubs typically conclude their major dealings early, leaving limited excitement beyond Chelsea`s squad adjustments or West Ham`s last-minute acquisitions. However, this Monday was different – it was genuinely entertaining.
We witnessed the dramatic and satisfying conclusions of long-running sagas, such as the Donnarumma and Isak transfers. Other moves, like Randal Kolo Muani`s switch to Tottenham, provided plenty of analytical fodder – precisely the kind of tactical discussions needed during the upcoming international break.
Furthermore, the day featured several genuinely captivating twists. Nicolas Jackson`s indecision about boarding his flight, reminiscent of Rachel from Friends, created suspense. Marc Guehi’s desired move to Liverpool saw him undergo a medical and a deal prepared, only for Oliver Glasner to refuse to part with his club captain. This was genuine, unadulterated transfer drama.
