15 deadline day deals you might have missed, from a former Man City star to Liverpool wonderkid

Another summer transfer window has come and gone, with August 30 marking the final day of any significant business.

With hours ticking down before the market shut down for at least a few months, several acquisitions, many in the works all summer, were finally announced.

Neal Maupay

To: Marseille

What a curious few years it’s been for Neal Maupay, who looked settled at Brighton & Hove Albion before switching to Everton, where he seldom featured. A loan spell at Brentford, where he made his first English home, beckoned, and now he’s on the move again, another temporary stay away from Goodison Park, but at Marseille instead, meaning a return to Ligue 1 after seven years away. The striker even reacted to news of the loan move by posting a clip from Shawshank Redemption.

Aaron Ramsdale

A departure from North London was always on the cards with Aaron Ramsdale no longer keen to be David Raya’s understudy at title-chasing Arsenal, but where he would be playing his football remained unanswered until the final 24 hours of the summer window. Newly promoted Southampton took the plunge by forking out £18 million (with up to £7 million in add-ons) for his services. The former Bournemouth shot-stopper signed a four-year deal, and the England keeper kept it short and sweet. “I’m absolutely delighted,” he said.

Sofyan Amrabat

One summer ago, you’d be hard-pressed not to want Sofyan Amrabat on your side following an impressive showing at the last World Cup finals. Atlético Madrid looked to be the Moroccan’s destination, but a reunion with former Utrecht boss Erik ten Hag at Manchester United was too good to pass up. His season-long loan at Old Trafford wasn’t much to write home about, and now it’s another ex-Red Devils manager whom he’ll be representing, with the midfielder linking up with José Mourinho’s side on loan for the final year of his Fiorentina contract.

Sam Johnstone

Ramsdale wasn’t the only England goalkeeper making a deadline-day move. After losing his spot to Dean Henderson at Selhurst Park, it was inevitable Sam Johnstone would leave Crystal Palace. There were plenty of suitors, but in the end, Wolves secured his signature. He’ll be hoping to dislodge José Sá as Gary O’Neil’s number one, especially after the Portuguese keeper conceded eight goals through Wolves’ opening two Premier League outings.

Juan Bernat

To: Villarreal

Having come through at Valencia, good things were expected from left-back Juan Bernat, and Bayern Munich were paying close attention to bringing him from the Spanish capital. A very successful period in Bavaria was continued with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, but it’s been difficult these past few seasons, with the 11-time capped Spanish international spending time on loan at Benfica last season. He’ll remain on the Iberian peninsula, with Villarreal his temporary club.

Matija Nastasic

A one-time Manchester City stalwart, where he lifted the 2013/14 Premier League title, Matija Nastasić — a recipient of the club’s Young Player of the Year award in 2012/13 — has been somewhat under the radar since leaving the Etihad with the Serbian centre-back returning to Fiorentina after a lengthy stay at Schalke 04 and recently turned out for Mallorca. It’s in Spain where he’ll continue his football with La Liga returnees Leganés reinforcing their defence.

Benjamin Bourigeaud

From: Rennes

To: Al-Duhail

Europe to Qatar has been a well-trodden path, and Benjamin Bourigeaud is among the latest to embark on such a journey. The midfield talisman ends seven years at Rennes to join the Qatari side Al-Duhail, managed by compatriot and former PSG boss Christophe Galtier. Having joined from his boyhood club Lens, the 30-year-old made over 240 league appearances for Les Rouge et Noirs but could never win that elusive first international cap with France.

Reinier

To: Granada

With so much expected of Endrick, very few see the impressive Brazilian teen becoming a bust at Real Madrid. But despite the successes of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, there’s no guarantee of success. Just look at Reinier, who swapped Flamengo for Los Blancos but has yet to make a single league appearance for Europe’s most dominant club. Instead, he’s been regularly loaned out to Borussia Dortmund, Girona, and Frosinone, to modest returns. Having signed until 2026, he’s on the move again, with Granada loaning him out for the season.

Stefan Bajcetic

To: Red Bull Salzburg

An issue around the groin area ruled promising teenage midfielder Stefan Bajčetić out of the final months of the 2022/23 season, but he returned at the start of 2023/24 only to break down with a calf injury just six weeks into the season. Unreported, as Bajčetić sat out a further seven months last season, were further troubles with his back. He returned to Jürgen Klopp’s squad late into the season, then made his comeback as a substitute in the 4–2 win over Tottenham Hotspur. But as things are now, he doesn’t exactly fit into newly installed Liverpool boss Arne Slot’s plans and will be at Red Bull Salzburg for the remainder of this season (albeit a potential move to Barcelona fell through). He does have Champions League football to look forward to and reunites with former Liverpool assistant boss Pep Lijnders.

Djordje Petrovic

Something had to give with Filip Jørgensen arriving, plus Chelsea is already littered with more goalkeepers than one can shake a stick at. Having not seen action under new boss Enzo Maresca, it was likely Djordje Petrovic would be playing his football elsewhere. But it’s not a permanent exit for the 24-year-old, who happened to be the first-choice keeper under Mauricio Pochettino last season, as he will spend the rest of this season in Ligue 1 as the fourth Chelsea player to be loaned to a partner club. He links up with forward Diego Moreira and left-back Caleb Wiley.

Orel Mangala

It could very well be another long season for Everton supporters in what is their final year at Goodison Park. To be fair, the powers that be have invested in Sean Dyche’s squad, with Orel Mangala the latest recruit. Having left Nottingham Forest for Lyon earlier this year, the Belgian midfielder saw that move become permanent, but he’s not in Pierre Sage’s thoughts, hence his relocation to Merseyside on a temporary basis.

Nabil Fekir

Nabil Fekir, who came tantalizingly close to joining Liverpool in 2018, raised a few eyebrows when he switched his boyhood club Lyon for Real Betis. He would go on to make over 130 league appearances for Los Verdiblancos, but the 2018 World Cup winner has ended his time in Andalusia by switching to United Arab Emirates outfit Al-Jazira.

Lutsharel Geertruida

Someone who developed into a Netherlands international during Arne Slot’s watch at Feyenoord was Lutsharel Geertruida, who embraced the false centre-back role, where he would often pop into midfield while roaming in the right full-back area. Geertruida’s emergence caught the attention of many, but the 24-year-old will continue his career at RB Leipzig, where national teammate Xavi Simons has made his home.

Scott McTominay

No one can ever fault Scott McTominay, who got the very best out of himself in a Manchester United jersey. But it’s fair to say he wasn’t universally loved by the Red Devils faithful. That being said, the Scottish international, who seldom played in his preferred role, came up clutch several times, placing him in “cult hero” territory. Antonio Conte, who has admired the box-to-box midfielder from afar, will hope McTominay can significantly contribute to Napoli’s cause as they seek to put a disastrous title defence behind them.

Mahmoud Dahoud

To: Eintracht Frankfurt

So much was promised when Mahmoud Dahoud moved from Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer last summer. It just never happened under Roberto De Zerbi, with him making only 14 appearances in all competitions before going on loan to VfB Stuttgart. Now, the two-time Germany international will remain in the Bundesliga, with former Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt becoming his fifth different club.

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