Transfer Talk: How Deadline Day unfolded, from the wildest rumours to the biggest done deals

The summer transfer window is closed! After a summer full of international football, countless clubs waited until the last minute to pull off their biggest transfers.

And was it ever dramatic. There was a resolution in Real Madrid’s quest to sign Kylian Mbappe, Atletico Madrid worked to bring Antoine Griezmann back from Barcelona, Chelsea missed out on their primary centre-back target but managed to recruit Saul to bolster their midfield.

It was an entertaining, and exhausting, day full of deals. Catch up on how it all went down, minute by minute, below:

LIVE BLOG

00.11 BST: Ladies and gentlemen, that’s going to do it for ESPN’s live edition of Transfer Talk on a monumentally busy Deadline Day. The deal that will see Antoine Griezmann return to Atletico Madrid is done, but we are still waiting on confirmation of Luuk de Jong moving from Sevilla FC to Barcelona to replace the France international. Multiple reports suggest that the paperwork on the latter deal did in fact get done in time, and will be announced soon.

Thank you all so very much for joining us. We hope you’ve enjoyed the day as much as we have, and we’re looking forward to doing it all over again as we count the days until the January window opens up.

23.58 BST: Sporting Lisbon have confirmed that they’ve signed 29-year-old Spain playmaker Pablo Sarabia on a season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain, a move that helped facilitate PSG’s signing of Nuno Mendes earlier in the day.

23.49 BST: It got a bit nervy in the final hour, but they got there in the end! Chelsea have confirmed that they’ve signed 26-year-old Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul on a season-long loan with an option to make the Spain international’s move permanent.

23.39 BST: Benfica had agreed the framework of a transfer with MLS outfit Colorado Rapids that would bring 20-year-old midfielder Cole Bassett to the Lisbon giants, but the academy graduate instead preferred to remain with his hometown team this season as they chase an MLS Cup, according to MLSsoccer.com. Bassett is said to be likely to move to Europe in the January transfer window, once the 2021 campaign comes to a close.

23.30 BST: Is El Tigre on his way back to Spain? The Daily Mail reports that Radamel Falcao will join LaLiga side Rayo Vallecano after the ex-Atletico Madrid man officially parted ways with Turkish power Galatasary.

The Colombia striker joined the Istanbul side after rather unremarkable stints at Chelsea and Manchester United. But newly promoted Rayo could see value in an experienced player like the 36-year-old Falcao. Across the last two campaigns at Galatasary, he has scored 20 goals in 43 matches.

23.26 BST: Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed the signing of 19-year-old left-back Nuno Mendes from Sporting Lisbon. The Portugal international was the subject of interest from Manchester City, but has opted for a move to the French capital instead. .

23.13 BST: Everton have announced the signing of 31-year-old striker Salomon Rondon on a two-year contract with an option for a third year, after the Venezuela international has been with Chinese side Dalian Professional since 2019.

23.06 BST: Tottenham Hotspur have announced that Serge Aurier and the club have mutually agreed to terminate the remainder of the 28-year-old right-back’s contract. The Ivory Coast international is now available on a free transfer, and has been linked with clubs in the Middle East and Russia.

23:00 BST: That’s all, folks! The summer transfer window is officially closed! But we’ll stick with you for the next hour as we wait out any fax machine snafus or other hiccups that have delayed the day’s final deals.

22.51 BST: Arsenal have completed the signing of Bologna defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, the club have announced. Sources have told ESPN the deal for Tomiyasu is in the region of €20m — a fee Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur were close to agreeing for the 22-year-old before negotiations collapsed.

22.38 BST: Real Betis have announced that they’ve signed 26-year-old Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin on a season-long loan with no option to make the former Gunners’ captain’s switch permanent.

22.25 BST: LaLiga side Mallorca have acquired United States forward Matthew Hoppe on a permanent transfer from Schalke, the clubs announced on Tuesday. A source told ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle on Monday that transfer fee could reach €3m.

22.12 BST: Crystal Palace have confirmed the signing of 23-year-old Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard on a four-year contract. The former France youth international made 179 appearances for the Scottish giants, scoring 86 goals, leading the league in 2019-20 and 2020-21.

22.07 BST: Antoine Griezmann is set to re-join Atletico Madrid from Barcelona in a €10m loan deal with an option to make the move permanent for a transfer fee of around €40m, multiple sources have told ESPN’s Alex Kirkland and Julien Laurens.

Griezmann will sign a two-year contract with an optional third year at the Wanda Metropolitano, sources have told ESPN, and Atletico have made the striker aware they intend to make the move permanent next summer.

22.00 BST: We’re into the final hour before the transfer window slams shut! There are still plenty of big deals to get over the line, not least Antoine Griezmann‘s return to Atletico Madrid and Saul‘s loan switch to Chelsea. Stay with us, as we round up all the biggest moves.

21.42 BST: Despite interest from Ligue 1 side Brest, 22-year-old Chelsea centre-back Malang Sarr will move to the Bundesliga on loan with newly promoted Greuther Furth, Foot Mercato reports. The former France youth international spent last season on loan at FC Porto, where he split time between the Portuguese giants’ first team and reserves.

21.29 BST: West Ham United have announced the signing of 23-year-old Czech Republic midfielder Alex Kral on a season-long loan from Spartak Moscow, with a view of making the move permanent.

21.16 BST: Marseille need to raise funds through player exits, and one player the Ligue 1 side are looking to push out the door is 21-year-old midfielder Boubacar Kamara. Luckily for the historic French side, both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United have submitted transfer offers, according to L’Equipe. Unfortunately for Marseille, the France youth international isn’t enamored with the thought of joining either Premier League club, and will remain with OM.

21.03 BST: Newly promoted Serie A side Venezia FC have confirmed that 20-year-old midfielder/centre-back Ethan Ampadu has joined on a season-long loan from Chelsea, where the Wales international has extended his contract to remain with the reigning European champions until 2024.

20.50 BST: Lyon want a winger, but no wingers want to move to Lyon, it seems. L’Equipe writes that Paris Saint-Germain’s Pablo Sarabia was one target, only for Les Parisiens to convince him to move to Sporting as part of their deal to get Nuno Mendes. They attempted to recruit Willian, who instead opted to return to Brazil with Corinthians. They also made contact with the representatives of Manchester United front man Anthony Martial, who declined to return to his boyhood club.

20.37 BST: Leicester City have announced that they’ve signed 23-year-old winger Ademola Lookman on loan from RB Leipzig, after the former England youth international spent last season in the Premier League with Fulham on a short-term arrangement.

20.24 BST: Real Madrid made a new offer worth €200m to Paris Saint-Germain for Kylian Mbappe but received no reply and are now resigned to putting their bid to land the star forward on hold, sources close to the LaLiga club have told ESPN’s Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez. The transfer window in Spain and France closes at midnight (CEST) and talks remain deadlocked, with the two clubs unable to find common ground on a fee for the 22-year-old.

20.24 BST: L’Equipe reports that there is an agreement between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona over the transfer of Antoine Griezmann. The 30-year-old France forward reportedly will return to his former club in the Spanish capital on loan with an option to make that move permanent.

20.11 BST: Barcelona are said to be in the market for a striker, and AS writes that the Catalan club have contacted Sevilla FC about a deal to bring Dutchman Luuk de Jong to Camp Nou to work under compatriot Ronald Koeman. The 31-year-old has looked set to leave Andalusia for some time, with a return to PSV Eindhoven mooted, but could the chance to slip on the Blaugrana prove irresistible?

19.58 BST: This won’t come as much of a surprise, but Chelsea’s pursuit of Sevilla FC centre-back Jules Kounde is all over, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Andalusian side were insistent on the Blues triggering the 22-year-old France international’s release clause, while the Stamford Bridge hierarchy were determined to negotiate a transfer fee somewhere lower than that, and now the deal is fully off.

19.45 BST: Fulham midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa has joined Serie A side Napoli on loan for the 2021-22 season, the clubs announced on Tuesday, marking the second time the 25-year-old Cameroon international has left the Cottagers on loan upon their relegation from the Premier League.

19.32 BST: Nineteen-year-old Chelsea attacker Tino Anjorin is undergoing a medical ahead of a season-long loan at Lokomotiv Moscow, the Athletic writes, in a deal that includes a £17m option to make the move permanent as well as a buy-back clause set at €40m.

19.19 BST: Twenty-year-old United States forward Matthew Hoppe is in Spain to sign his contract with newly promoted LaLiga club Mallorca, according to Fabrizio Romano, on the verge of leaving second-division German side Schalke.

19.06 BST: Twenty-seven-year-old Leicester City midfielder Dennis Praet has joined Serie A outfit Torino on a season-long loan, the clubs announced on Tuesday.

18.53 BST: Fabrizio Romano writes that Chelsea and Atletico Madrid have come to an agreement over the loan of Spain midfielder Saul. The 26-year-old will move to West London for a loan fee of €5m, with an option to make the move permanent, and has already agreed personal terms.

18.40 BST: Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of Emerson Royal from Barcelona, the club have announced. Sources told ESPN that Barca had rejected an opening offer for Emerson worth €20m plus Serge Aurier on Sunday, but the defender has now completed his move to the Premier League.  full story.

18.33 BST: An update on Weston McKennie comes from ESPN’s Mark Ogden.

McKennie will stay at Juventus this transfer window, sources have told ESPN, despite a number of Premier League clubs being offered the chance to sign the United States international. Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have both been linked with the 23-year-old and Burnley — owned by an American consortium — are the latest team rumoured to be in the race to sign the midfielder.

But sources have told ESPN that, after expressing an interest in signing McKennie earlier this week, Burnley subsequently discovered that the player’s official representatives have rejected any suggestion of McKennie leaving Juventus this month. Sources have said that agents unconnected with McKennie have been trying to find a club for the former Schalke man, leaving Juventus bemused by the attempt to create a market for the player.

18.27 BST: TSG Hoffenheim have announced that they’ve signed 21-year-old Bayern Munich centre-back Chris Richards on loan, with the United States international returning to Die Kraichgauer having spent the second half of last season on a temporary arrangement at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena.

18.14 BST: Sky Sports reports that Burnley have been offered the chance to sign Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, although “it’s not likely” that the deal gets done. The 23-year-old Untied States international has been “offered to quite a few Premier League clubs,” but the Bianconeri are unlikely to allow the player to leave on loan after triggering their €25m option in March to make his loan signing from Schalke permanent.

18.01 BST: On Monday it seemed that Chelsea’s loan move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul was all but dead, but the Telegraph reports that the Blues are now “cautiously hopeful of completing” his signing on loan with an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season. Never a dull Deadline Day at Stamford Bridge, is it?

17.48 BST: Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of 18-year-old midfielder Eduardo Camavinga from Stade Rennais. Camavinga — one of the most coveted young players in European football — had one year left on his deal at Rennes, and sources told ESPN’s Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez that Madrid paid €30m for his signature.

17.35 BST: RB Leipzig have announced the signing of 18-year-old midfielder Ilaix Moriba on a permanent transfer from Barcelona. The academy graduate had just a year remaining on his contract at Camp Nou and refused to pen a new deal with the cash-strapped Catalan club, culminating in a standoff that’s ultimately led the highly regarded teenager to the Red Bull-backed upstarts from the Bundesliga.

17.22 BST: Mundo Deportivo writes that Barcelona have submitted a €75m bid for RB Leipzig attacker Dani Olmo, and have agreed personal terms on a five-year contract for the 23-year-old Spain international. Olmo spent seven years in Barca’s famed La Masia academy before moving to Dinamo Zagreb as a 16-year-old, and has blossomed into one of La Roja‘s most cerebral creators during his time away from the Blaugrana.

17.09 BST: Sporting Lisbon’s 18-year-old wunderkind of a left-back Nuno Mendes is “really close” to joining Paris Saint-Germain, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Portugal international has agreed personal terms with the Parisians, who it would appear have beaten Manchester City to the punch on one of Europe’s brightest young stars.

16.56 BST: Dutch giants Feyenoord have confirmed that they’ve signed 21-year-old Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson on a season-long loan. Nelson will wear the No. 14 shirt for the Rotterdam club.

16.43 BST: Multiple reports in France and Spain suggest that the swap deal between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona for forwards Joao Felix and Antoine Griezmann has broken down, and yet there are more developments on this story. L’Equipe reports that Los Colchoneros remain in negotiations with the Catalan club to bring Griezmann back to the Spanish capital.

There are two paths that would see the 30-year-old France World Cup winner return to Atletico: the sides agree a €50m transfer that would see Griezmann sign a three-year contract with Los Rojiblancos, or Atleti sign their former No. 7 on loan with an option to make the deal permanent.

16.30 BST: What kind of player are Real Madrid getting in Eduardo Camavinga?

16.17 BST: Leeds United have confirmed the signing of Man United winger Daniel James for a reported fee of £25m.

16.09 BST: If you ever watched the GOAL! film franchise you’re going to love this one…

In the films, a Mexican player from Los Angeles by the name of Santiago Munez (played by Kuno Becker) comes to Newcastle United and stars in the Premier League. He then moves to Real Madrid in the sequel, and the third film is based around the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Anyway… Newcastle have now signed Santiago Munoz (slighty different spelling).

The 19-year-old forward joins from Liga MX club Santos Laguna on an initial 18-month loan deal and will head to the club’s academy, presumably before his big move to Madrid in a few years.

16.02 BST: Barcelona have confirmed that salary reductions for Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have allowed the club to achieve two objectives: the registration of Sergio Aguero with the Spanish Football League (LFP) and to extend the club’s limit with regards to financial fair play regulations.

“Sergio and Jordi Alba have agreed to changes in the financial terms of their contracts which included a wage reduction for this season and the deferment of payments for the remaining years,” a statement read. “The gesture from the two players comes after the agreement recently signed by Gerard Pique which also allowed his team mates Memphis, Eric Garcia and Rey Manaj to be registered with the league. As such, FC Barcelona has completed the registration of its players with the LFP.”

15.45 BST: Sporting CP left-back Nuno Mendes could be set for a shock move on the last day of the transfer window, says A Bola.

Mendes, 18, is rated at around €40m and is one of the best young players in Europe. The report claims that PSG, Man United, Man City, Real Madrid and Barcelona are all interested in signing the Portugal international.

15.26 BST: Sources have told ESPN that Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul is in talks with Chelsea over a loan move.

ESPN revealed last week that the English club approached Atletico regarding a season-long loan with an option to make the deal permanent down the line. Manchester United have also shown an interest.

Saul, 26, has fallen down the pecking order at Atletico and has been keen to move on this summer.

15.14 BST: PSG forward Arnaud Kalimuendo has returned to Lens on a loan deal, with no permanent option.

Kalimuendo, 19, has also signed a new contract until 2024.

14.40 BST: PSV forward Mohamed Ihattaren has left the club to join Juventus.

Ihattaren, 19, could be loaned to Sampdoria for the rest of the season, according to Fabrizio Romano.

14.24 BST: Barcelona have opened negotiations with Atletico Madrid over a swap deal involving Joao Felix and Antoine Griezmann, various sources have confirmed to ESPN’s Moises Llorens and Sam Marsden.

Barca failed with an offer to take Felix on loan on Monday, with Atletico knocking them back immediately, but returned on Tuesday with a new proposal involving Griezmann.

Felix’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is working as an intermediary on the operation, while sources close to Griezmann say a deal is not “impossible.”

However, sources involved in the negotiations acknowledge it will be difficult to sort out so close to Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

14.08 BST: Valentino Lazaro has signed for Benfica on loan from Inter Milan.

The 25-year-old midfielder has spent time on loan at Newcastle and Borussia Monchengladbach in recent years.

13.50 BST: Former Arsenal, West Ham and Bournemouth midfielder Jack Wilshere is training with Italian Serie B side Como, but the league has tweeted that he can’t join the team permanently because he has a non-EU passport now the U.K. has left the EU.

Wilshere, 29, is a free agent but has been unable to land himself a contract after being released by Bournemouth this summer.

13.50 BST: Liverpool defender Rhys Williams is close to a move to Swansea, says The Daily Mail.

Williams, 20, has fallen down the pecking order despite his performances amid the club’s injury crisis last season and has seen the signing of Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig push him further down.

13.36 BST: Burnley have signed Wales international defender Connor Roberts from Swansea on a four-year deal for a reported fee of around £2.5m.

The 25-year-old right-back is Burnley’s fifth senior signing of the transfer window following the captures of Maxwel Cornet, Nathan Collins, Wayne Hennessey and Aaron Lennon.

13.28 BST: Arsenal goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson is set to join Belgian side OH Leuven on loan, says David Ornstein.

Runarsson, 26, has slipped down the pecking order now Aaron Ramsdale has arrived and has made only one Premier League appearance since signing from French side Dijon at the beginning of last season.

13.15 BST: The Athletic reports that Chelsea have blocked Callum Hudson-Odoi‘s loan move to Borussia Dortmund.

Hudson-Odoi, 20, has not yet played a single minute of the first three Premier League games for Chelsea and Dortmund are looking for a replacement for Jadon Sancho, who left for Man United.

However, the Blues want him to stay a part of Thomas Tuchel’s squad and won’t let him go.

13.02 BST: RB Leipzig have lost a few star players this window, but Iliax Moriba is a super signing for the future.

12.35 BST: Houssem Aouar is set to stay at Lyon despite interest from Tottenham and Arsenal, sources have told ESPN’s James Olley.

Spurs had sounded out Lyon in July over a possible swap deal involving Tanguy Ndombele but that approach was dismissed, with the Ligue 1 club preferring a straight cash deal worth in the region of €25m.

Arsenal were also monitoring the situation as they explored alternatives to Martin Odegaard in the belief Real Madrid would not sanction a transfer this summer. However, Real appointed Carlo Ancelotti as head coach and with Odegaard not considered a first-team prospect, they eventually dropped their asking price allowing the Gunners to revive their interest, securing a deal worth up to €40m.

Aouar was keen on a move to the Premier League but barring late, unexpected interest, sources claim the midfielder is now expected to remain in France. He had two years remaining on his contract, meaning Lyon could still command a fee for Aouar in January or next summer.

12.30 BST: Sevilla sporting director Monchi is giving a news conference today about transfer business, including Chelsea’s move for defender Jules Kounde.

It’s really refreshing to see a club be so open about transfer business…

“The only written, formal offer from Chelsea came last Wednesday, around 5pm,” he said. “We weren’t satisfied with the offer, and it was linked to Chelsea selling a player. It was a decent fee but it didn’t meet our criteria.

“We haven’t spoken with Chelsea since Friday night. We all decided that it was best Jules didn’t travel to Elche. It’s normal for players to be affected by news of any kind. Last year he had the interest from City and now Chelsea this year. Kounde’s clause never went up to €90m. It has always been €80m.

12.20 BST: LaLiga side Mallorca is in talks with Schalke 04 to acquire United States men’s international forward Matthew Hoppe on a permanent transfer, a source confirmed to ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle.

Diario de Mallorca was the first to report the news of the Spanish club’s pursuit of Hoppe. The potential transfer fee could reach €3m ($3.5m).

Hoppe, 20, burst on the scene last year, scoring six goals in 22 Bundesliga appearances even as Schalke was relegated from the German top flight. In a match against Hoffenheim, Hoppe notched a hat trick — the first by an American in the Bundesliga.

12.11 BST: Former Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng is in demand, reports Fabrizio Romano.

Boateng, 32, left the club on a free transfer this summer and Lyon are in talks to sign the Germany international, while Sevilla and Hertha Berlin have reportedly pulled out.

11.40 BST: Borussia Dortmund have signed defender Marin Pongracic from VfL Wolfsburg on a season-long loan.

Dortmund had been in negotiations with Manchester United for the loan of Diogo Dalot but talks have stalled. Manager Marco Rose knows the 23-year-old Pongracic from their time together at FC Salzburg, and the central defender can also cover at right-back.

11.36 BST: Brighton have announced the signing of former Barcelona left-back Marc Cucurella from Getafe.

Cucurella, 23, was part of the Spain U23 side that won the silver medal at the 2020 Olympics and moves for a reported fee of around €18m.

11.30 BST: Phil Jones will remain part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United squad during the first half of the season, after sources told ESPN’s Mark Ogden that the injury-hit defender will not leave Old Trafford on deadline day.

The 29-year-old has not made a first-team appearance for United since the FA Cup fourth-round victory at Tranmere Rovers in January 2020. A long-term knee injury forced Jones to miss the whole of last season, but he has returned to full training this month and Solskjaer is keen to give the former England international the chance to resurrect his United career.

Although opportunities for Jones are likely to be limited due to the number of senior defenders at Old Trafford, he is under contract until the end of the 2022-23 season and Solskjaer believes that the £16.5m signing from Blackburn in 2011 has earned the right to be given the opportunity to regain form and fitness after such a lengthy lay-off.

Having endured an even longer battle to overcome a knee injury during his own playing career, Solskjaer wants Jones to be rewarded for his longevity at the club with the chance to prove his ability to return to the first-team squad.

11.20 BST: Arsenal can’t keep losing if manager Mikel Arteta is to keep his job.

11.04 BST: Manchester City would still like to sign another striker but they will probably run out of time, sources have told ESPN’s Rob Dawson.

Not many players who fit their profile are available, particularly when there are just hours to go before the deadline, and the expectation is that they will wait until next summer before targeting Tottenham’s Harry Kane (again) and Dortmund’s Erling Haaland, who is available for a €75m release clause in 2022.

Not much movement is expected at the Etihad Stadium today other than possibly a few going out on loan.

Bernardo Silva is set to stay. He wanted to move to Spain but no club has been able to meet the club’s asking price of more than €60m.

Following an announcement on Monday that defender Ruben Dias has signed a new contract, sources have told ESPN that goalkeeper Ederson is ready to also agree a new deal.

10.45 BST: Sources have told ESPN’s Rob Dawson it is “very unlikely” there will be any incomings today at Manchester United, but the club have now got the best part of £30m spare.

After signing Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane for over £100m the message privately was that there would have to be outgoings before any more new signings could come in. Now winger Dan James is on the verge of joining Leeds United for £25m plus add-ons, while United had to find money from outside the transfer budget to sign Cristiano Ronaldo as it was an exceptional circumstance.

A new midfielder is more of a priority than a right-back and conversations have been held with representatives of Wolves’ Ruben Neves and Atletico’s Saul Niguez over the course of the summer. There has also been interest in Rennes’ star Eduardo Camavinga but United always believed he would rather go to Spain and now looks set to sign for Real Madrid.

Interest in England full-back Kieran Trippier hit a brick wall very early in the summer because of Atletico Madrid’s demand for more than £30m.

United expect fringe players Diogo Dalot and Jesse Lingard to stay and, while realistic offers would always be considered, their exits are not something United are planning for.

10.26 BST: Sky Sports says that midfielder Tanguy Ndombele will remain at Tottenham after the transfer deadline.

Ndombele, 24, had been keen to move on after becoming the club’s record transfer when signed for €62m from Lyon in 2019.

Nuno Espirito Santo hasn’t played him at all this season but now it appears the France international will stay.

10.22 BST: The Athletic reports that “Arsenal working on deal to sign Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna” and sources have confirmed to ESPN that the Gunners are in talks.

Tomiyasu, 22, can play both centre-back and right-back but has been linked with rivals Tottenham all summer.

The Japan international is thought to be available for around €20m – a fee that Tottenham were close to agreeing before negotiations collapsed.

Arsenal have already spent more than £130m this summer and need to trim down their squad in the final hours of the window.

10.20 BST: Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin is in talks to join Real Betis on loan, sources have told ESPN’s James Olley.

ESPN revealed on Feb. 26 that the Spaniard had a verbal agreement to leave the club this summer and Bellerin is keen to secure a move before the deadline.

Talks are ongoing over the specifics of a deal but sources claim Arsenal are now reluctant to sanction a permanent transfer. Bellerin is believed to have lowered his wage demands in an effort to secure a loan back to Spain but the two clubs are yet to agree a loan fee. It is also unclear as of Tuesday morning whether any agreement will include an option to sign him permanently.

Arsenal had been in talks with Barcelona over a swap deal for Emerson Royal but negotiations collapsed.

Arsenal are likely to pursue other options at right-back if Bellerin departs and are currently blocking Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ proposed move to Everton as they see the England international as cover for the position.

10.11 BST: Tottenham are closing in on a €30m move for Barcelona right-back Emerson Royal, says The Guardian.

Emerson, 22, only joined Barcelona in June as the club activated a clause to recall him from Real Betis for a fee of €9m.

Barca agreed an initial deal to sign him in 2019 in collaboration with Betis, with each club paying €6m and Barca reserving an option to pay Betis €9m this summer to end the loan and take the player to Camp Nou. Betis are also due 20% of any future transfer, which will be €6m if he moves to Tottenham.

The Brazilian will replace defender Serge Aurier, who is set to leave, and provide competition for Japhet Tanganga and Matt Doherty,

10.02 BST: The Daily Mirror reports that Ainsley Maitland-Niles “has been told he won’t be training with the Arsenal first team.”

Maitland-Niles, 24, posted on Instagram yesterday “All I wanna do is go where I’m wanted and where I’m gonna play,” but a move to Everton was reportedly rejected.

The Athletic reports that the defender is happy to play at right-back and has no demands to play as a central midfielder. He spent the second half of last season on loan at West Brom but is now clearly unhappy and keen to leave on a permanent deal.

09.42 BST: Cristiano Ronaldo has officially signed for Manchester United for a second time, it was confirmed on Tuesday, after joining from Juventus. The deal is a two-year contract with the option to extend for a further year, subject to international clearance.

Ronaldo said: “Manchester United is a club that has always had a special place in my heart, and I have been overwhelmed by all the messages I have received since the announcement on Friday. I cannot wait to play at Old Trafford in front of a full stadium and see all the fans again.

“I’m looking forward to joining up with the team after the international games, and I hope we have a very successful season ahead.”

Earlier on transfer deadline day, the Serie A side outlined the financial details surrounding the deal — a maximum €23m, payable over five years.

Ronaldo will be 41 by the time the final installment from Manchester United is due.

09.30 BST: Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has signed a new contract with the club.

Henderson told Liverpoolfc.com: “I’m obviously very honoured and proud to continue the journey I’ve already been on here. It’s amazing to finally get it done and just concentrate on looking forward and what the future may hold. I’m in a different place of course, as a player and as a person, from when I first walked in. I’ve learned and grown a lot over my time here, and I’ve got to thank a lot of people for that.

“I’ve loved every minute of it, even when I look back at the tough times, I was still enjoying being a part of this football club. The longer I can do that, the better for me really. I want to be here as long as possible, I’ve always said that. To continue this journey is incredible for me and my family, and I hope the fans and the club feel the same way.”

09.27 BST: Miralem Pjanic wants to leave Barcelona; Barcelona want to move on Pjanic to lower their wage bill. But it will be tough.

ESPN’s Barcelona correspondent Sam Marsden says: “Pjanic camp pessimistic about chances of a move away from Barcelona materialising today. Save any late twists, looks set to stay at Camp Nou for now, where he knows he won’t get much (any) playing time.”

09.14 BST: Mundo Deportivo says Barcelona are in the market for a new No. 9 and could move for Man United’s Edinson Cavani.

Cavani, 34, may be forced to give up the No. 7 shirt for Cristiano Ronaldo and his place in the side will also be under threat.

The Uruguay international’s possible move to Camp Nou would be “complicated” but nothing is ruled out.

09.06 BST: West Ham have signed Nikola Vlasic from CSKA Moscow for around £25m on a contract until June 2026.

09.00 BST: They missed out on Harry Kane, so do Man City need a striker before the deadline ends?

08.50 BST: Atletico Madrid are working on a last-minute deal to sign winger Pablo Sarabia from Paris Saint-Germain, according to Diario AS.

The newspaper says that Diego Simeone is a big fan of the Spain international — who shone at Euro 2020 this summer but isn’t part of Mauricio Pochettino’s plans at PSG.

A loan with an option to sign him permanently could be the most likely solution, AS claims, and Saul Niguez is still the most likely departure, with Chelsea still keen on the midfielder.

08.38 BST: Premier League side Burnley are interested in a loan deal for Bayern Munich and United States youth international Taylor Booth, sources have told ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle.

Booth, 20, recently made his first team debut for Bayern in a 12-0 win over Bremer SV in the DFB Pokal, and Bayern have been impressed with Booth’s play in preseason. However, with Booth’s contract expiring in 10 months, he could sign a pre-contract with another club in four months.

Sources told ESPN in July that Bayern was interested in extending his contract, but a deal hasn’t yet been completed.

08.21 BST: Atletico Madrid have turned down a loan deal from Barcelona for Joao Felix, according to multiple reports in Spain on Monday night.

Catalan radio station RAC1 first claimed that Barca were keen to sign the 21-year-old forward on loan, “with no money involved.”

Reports suggest that agent Jorge Mendes was tasked with contacting Atletico and enquiring about a possible move — only to be told that the Madrid club would not entertain it.

Barca have been keen on the Portugal international in the past, with ESPN reporting that a swap deal involving Antoine Griezmann had been discussed.

08.03 BST: Juventus have completed the signing of Everton forward Moise Kean.

Kean, 21, signs on a two-year loan deal for €7m, with an obligation to make the deal permanent for €28m, plus €3m in add-ons.

07.46 BST: Juventus said goodbye to Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday, ahead of official confirmation from Manchester United of his return to Old Trafford.

The Serie A side also confirmed that the fee for Ronaldo would be a maximum €23m, payable over five years. Ronaldo will be 41 by the time the final installment from Manchester United is due.

The Serie A side penned an emotional tribute to the Portugal international on their website, which read: “On 10 July 2018, two icons of the European and football world came together – Cristiano Ronaldo became a Juventus player. Today, after three years together and 133 appearances, 101 goals scored and five trophies won, that chapter has come to an end…. The paths of CR7 and Juventus have gone their separate ways.

“On that day in July, when Cristiano arrived in Turin, the electric feeling of those great days could be felt through the air. The Juventus fans welcomed CR7 like a king, eager to see him on the pitch and cheer with him. It was a great story.

“The unforgettable moments experienced together were many. We could recite them and relive them, but it would not help, because everyone has their own special memory linked to CR7. Everyone has a shared emotion that does not need to be dusted off, because everyone will always remember what they felt in walking this stretch of road together.

“Today that bond born on July 10, three years ago, has been dissolved, but what has been written will forever remain. It has been an incredible journey.”

07.30 BST: Manchester United are in talks with Leeds United over a deal for Daniel James, sources have told ESPN.

There have been discussions about both a loan or permanent move for the Wales winger, who has spent the last two seasons at Old Trafford after arriving from Swansea City in 2019.

James has started two of United’s first three games of the season and was set to stay at the club.

Sources have told ESPN that the 23-year-old is concerned about his prospects under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following the arrivals of Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.

PAPER GOSSIP (by Danny Lewis)

– Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan all hold a strong interest in Sampdoria winger Mikkel Damsgaard, as has been reported by the Daily Star. The 21-year-old had an incredibly impressive tournament while representing Denmark at Euro 2020 — with his free-kick against England likely helping to capture the aforementioned Premier League clubs’ attention. Despite it being late in the window, Liverpool could still make a move for him after Xherdan Shaqiri joined Lyon, while there is still a possibility that Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino could also depart.

– Marc Cucurella is in England and has completed his move from Getafe to Brighton & Hove Albion, reports Fabrizio Romano. It is stated that the Premier League side activated the Spaniard’s €18 million release clause and that a medical has already been completed.

– Barcelona are hoping to offload Brazilian goalkeeper Neto to Villarreal, as has been reported by Diario Sport. The 32-year-old is keen to depart in search of more regular first-team minutes, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen currently blocking his path. Barcelona have said they want €8m or the stopper will be staying.

– The Daily Mail reports that Everton boss Rafa Benitez is keen to be reunited with Salomon Rondon, whom he worked with at Newcastle United and Dalian Yifang. However, a deal could prove complicated, as the striker would need to surrender the money he is owed by the Chinese outfit to make the transfer happen.

– Marseille and Lille are among the clubs showing an interest in AS Roma midfielder Steven N’Zonzi, reports Foot Mercato. Roma manager Jose Mourinho is keen to get the Frenchman off the wage bill, so the move is probable. N’Zonzi now needs to decide who he would prefer to join.

— Lyon have cooled their interest in the Zenit Saint Petersburg striker Sardar Azmoun and have turned their attention to Montpellier’s Gaetan Laborde, as has been reported by Foot Mercato. West Ham United, Stade Rennes, Sevilla FC, Villarreal and even Zenit have all looked at the 27-year-old Laborde without making an offer. It is suggested that Lyon will need to exceed a €20m bid to sign the forward.