Transfer Deadline Day Roundup: Stunning Moves That Shaped the 2024 Summer Window

Exploring the most significant moves of the 2024 European football summer window transfer deadline day, including Manchester United’s acquisition of Manuel Ugarte, Al-Ahli’s signing of Ivan Toney, and more.

The 2024 summer transfer deadline day was nothing short of a spectacle, with several high-profile moves that are set to reshape the dynamics of European football. Clubs across the continent were busy reinforcing their squads, with Manchester United, Al-Ahli, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Napoli making headline-grabbing signings. Here’s a detailed look at the most significant premier league transfers of the deadline day and what they mean for the clubs involved.

Manchester United Secures Manuel Ugarte for £42m

Manchester United made a decisive move by securing the services of Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain for an initial fee of £42.3 million. The Uruguay international, known for his tenacity and defensive prowess, has signed a five-year deal at Old Trafford. Ugarte’s addition comes at a crucial time as United prioritized bolstering their midfield. His impressive stats over the past two seasons, where he ranked second in tackles per 90 minutes in Europe’s top five leagues, highlight his potential to become a key player in Erik ten Hag’s setup.

Ugarte’s performances at the Copa America, where he was named in the tournament’s best XI, further cement his reputation as one of the most promising young midfielders in world football. His arrival is expected to bring much-needed stability and dynamism to United’s midfield, a position that has been a point of concern for the club in recent seasons.

Ivan Toney’s £40m Move to Al-Ahli

In a surprising twist, Ivan Toney is set to join Al-Ahli after Brentford accepted a £40 million offer from the Saudi Pro League club. Toney, who had been on the radar of several Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, opted for a new challenge in the Middle East. The England forward’s decision to move comes as he enters the final year of his contract with Brentford, having not featured in their matchday squad this season.

Toney’s transfer is part of Al-Ahli’s broader strategy to bolster their attacking options, with the club also reportedly eyeing Napoli’s Victor Osimhen. Toney’s departure marks the end of a successful stint at Brentford, where his goalscoring prowess was pivotal in establishing the club in the Premier League.

Chelsea Loans Jadon Sancho with Obligation to Buy

Chelsea pulled off one of the most unexpected moves of the window by securing Jadon Sancho on loan from Manchester United, with an obligation to buy next summer. The 24-year-old winger’s relationship with United manager Erik ten Hag had soured, making a move away from Old Trafford inevitable. Sancho, who grew up supporting Chelsea, now has the chance to revive his career at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea will pay around £23 million to make the deal permanent next summer, a significant markdown from the £73 million United paid Borussia Dortmund three years ago. Sancho’s arrival adds to Chelsea’s already potent attacking options, and fans will be eager to see if he can rediscover the form that made him one of Europe’s most exciting talents.

Arsenal Lands Raheem Sterling in a Cut-Price Deal

In another eye-catching transfer, Raheem Sterling swapped Chelsea for Arsenal in a deal that saw the winger move on loan until the end of the season. The move was completed late on deadline day, with no transfer fee involved, and the clubs agreeing to split Sterling’s substantial wages. Despite being one of the most talented wingers in the Premier League, Sterling found himself surplus to requirements at Chelsea under new manager Enzo Maresca.

Sterling’s move to Arsenal provides him with a fresh start, though he will face stiff competition for a starting spot with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard already vying for the left-wing position. For Arsenal, Sterling’s experience and quality could prove invaluable as they challenge for the Premier League title.

Scott McTominay Joins Napoli for £25m

Scott McTominay ended his long association with Manchester United by joining Napoli in a £25 million deal. The Scotland international had been with United since the age of five, making 178 Premier League appearances since his senior debut in 2017. McTominay’s move to Serie A marks a new chapter in his career, where he will look to establish himself as a key figure in Napoli’s midfield.

Napoli, who recently signed Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea, see McTominay as a valuable addition to their squad as they aim to defend their Serie A title. For United, the departure of McTominay represents a significant change, with the club now looking to build a younger and more dynamic midfield under Erik ten Hag.

Wolves Bolster Squad with Multiple Signings

Wolves were one of the busiest clubs on deadline day, securing the signings of Brazilian midfielder Andre from Fluminense, Portuguese winger Carlos Forbs, and Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. Andre, who played a crucial role in Fluminense’s Copa Libertadores victory, had been linked with several top European clubs before choosing Wolves.

Forbs, a promising winger who made a name for himself at Ajax last season, joins on loan with an option to buy. Meanwhile, Johnstone, who signed a four-year contract, is expected to challenge Jose Sa for the No. 1 spot at Molineux. To make room for these new arrivals, Wolves loaned out striker Fabio Silva to Las Palmas and winger Chiquinho to Mallorca.

Everton Strengthen Attack with Armando Broja

Everton managed to secure a late loan deal for Chelsea striker Armando Broja, with an option to buy for £30 million at the end of the season. The 22-year-old forward, who spent last season on loan at Southampton, is seen as a crucial addition to Everton’s attack as they look to improve on last season’s struggles.

Meanwhile, Everton parted ways with Neal Maupay, who joined Marseille on loan with an obligation to buy. Maupay’s time at Everton was underwhelming, and a return to France could offer the striker a fresh start.

Fulham Swoops in for Reiss Nelson

Fulham pulled off a last-minute coup by signing Reiss Nelson on loan from Arsenal, pipping Ipswich Town to the winger’s signature. The 24-year-old, who has shown flashes of brilliance during his time at Arsenal, will now look to make a significant impact at Craven Cottage.

Nelson’s arrival adds depth to Fulham’s attacking options, and the club will be hoping that his creativity and flair can help them push for a top-half finish in the Premier League.

Nottingham Forest Land Morato and James Ward-Prowse

Nottingham Forest were also active on deadline day, securing the signing of Brazilian center-back Morato from Benfica for £12 million and bringing in James Ward-Prowse on loan from West Ham. Morato, who established himself at Benfica over the past few seasons, will add solidity to Forest’s defense.

Ward-Prowse, a set-piece specialist, found himself out of favor at West Ham and has moved to Forest in search of regular playing time. His experience and leadership could prove crucial as Forest aim to consolidate their Premier League status.

West Ham Signs Carlos Soler on Loan

With Ward-Prowse departing, West Ham moved quickly to secure the services of Carlos Soler from Paris Saint-Germain on a season-long loan. The Spain international, who struggled to find consistent playing time at PSG, will be eager to make an impact in the Premier League. Soler’s versatility and technical ability make him a valuable addition to West Ham’s midfield as they compete on multiple fronts this season.

Tammy Abraham’s Journey to AC Milan

Tammy Abraham, the 26-year-old English striker, initially made a name for himself at Chelsea before moving to AS Roma in 2021. His debut season with the Italian club was nothing short of spectacular, with Abraham scoring 27 goals across all competitions and playing a pivotal role in Roma’s UEFA Europa Conference League triumph. However, the following seasons saw a dip in his form, and injuries, particularly an anterior cruciate ligament tear, limited his contributions in the 2023-24 campaign.

With Roma’s recent signing of Ukrainian striker Artem Dovbyk, who was the top scorer in Spain’s La Liga last season with 24 goals, Abraham found himself facing stiff competition for a starting spot. As a result, the move to AC Milan on a year-long loan offers him a fresh start, an opportunity to regain his form, and a chance to prove his worth on a new stage.

For AC Milan, this signing is a statement of intent. The Rossoneri have been seeking a proven goal scorer to lead their attack, and Abraham’s past exploits suggest that he has the potential to fill that role. Milan fans will be eager to see if the Englishman can rediscover the form that made him one of the most talked-about strikers in European football.

Salzburg’s Loan Deal for Liverpool’s Stefan Bajcetic

In another notable move, Liverpool’s young defensive midfielder Stefan Bajcetic has joined Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg on loan for the remainder of the season. The 19-year-old Spaniard enjoyed a breakout season in 2022-23, showcasing his potential to become a future star. His move to Salzburg reunites him with former Liverpool assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders, who now manages the Austrian club.

This transfer is seen as a strategic move to give Bajcetic more first-team experience, which is crucial for his development. Salzburg, known for nurturing young talent, provides an ideal environment for Bajcetic to refine his skills and gain valuable playing time.

Crystal Palace’s Major Transfers: Nketiah, Lacroix, and Guehi

Crystal Palace has been one of the busiest clubs in this transfer window, securing the services of striker Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal for £25 million. Nketiah, who had struggled for regular playing time at Arsenal due to competition from Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, is eager to make his mark at Selhurst Park. He will be competing for a starting spot with Jean-Philippe Mateta, adding depth and competition to Palace’s attacking options.

The South London club also bolstered their defense with the signing of Maxence Lacroix from Wolfsburg. The 24-year-old French center-back reunites with Palace manager Oliver Glasner, under whom he played at Wolfsburg. Lacroix’s arrival is timely, as he effectively replaces Joachim Andersen, who recently moved to Fulham. Palace’s determination to strengthen their backline is further evidenced by their refusal to sell Marc Guehi, who was heavily pursued by Newcastle United.

In a last-minute deal, Palace also secured a loan move for Chelsea defender Trevor Chalobah, with the paperwork submitted just before the transfer deadline. This addition further enhances Palace’s defensive options, providing manager Glasner with multiple tactical configurations.

Arsenal’s Goalkeeper Shuffle: Neto In, Ramsdale Out

Arsenal’s transfer activity has also been noteworthy, particularly in the goalkeeping department. The Gunners signed Brazilian goalkeeper Neto on a season-long loan from Bournemouth, following Aaron Ramsdale’s permanent move to Southampton. Neto, who has previously played for Juventus, Valencia, and Barcelona, brings a wealth of experience to Arsenal. He expressed his excitement about joining the club, describing it as a “dream come true.”

This move is part of Arsenal’s strategy to ensure strong competition in every position, particularly with Neto’s ability to perform at the highest level. His arrival at the Emirates is expected to bolster the club’s defensive stability, especially in a season where they aim to challenge for both domestic and European honors.

Chelsea’s Loan Strategy: Petrovic, Washington, and Gee

Chelsea continued their trend of loaning out young talents to gain experience. Serbian goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic moved to Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg on a season-long loan. Meanwhile, promising forward David Washington was sent to Hull City, and midfielder Billy Gee joined Norwich City, both on similar loan deals. These moves are part of Chelsea’s broader strategy to develop their young players by providing them with regular first-team action.

Other Notable Transfer Deadline Day Moves

Giovani Lo Celso ended his Tottenham career by returning to Real Betis, the club from which Spurs initially signed him in 2019. This move allows Lo Celso to reunite with a familiar environment where he previously excelled.
Celtic made headlines by signing 20-year-old midfielder Arne Engels from FC Augsburg for £15 million. Engels’ versatility and technical ability make him a valuable addition to Brendan Rodgers’ squad, as the Scottish champions aim to maintain their dominance in the domestic league and make an impact in Europe.
West Brom secured the permanent signing of winger Mikey Johnston from Celtic, following his successful loan spell last season. Johnston’s seven goals in 20 appearances played a key role in West Brom’s promotion bid, and his return on a four-year contract is seen as a crucial part of their long-term plans.
Burnley brought in Ecuadorian winger Jeremy Sarmiento on loan from Brighton. Sarmiento, who contributed to Ipswich Town’s promotion to the Premier League last season, is expected to play a significant role in Burnley’s quest to return to the top flight.
Birmingham City shattered the League One transfer record by signing striker Jay Stansfield from Fulham for £10 million. Stansfield’s impressive loan spell at St Andrew’s last season, where he scored 13 goals, convinced the club to make the deal permanent as they aim for promotion to the Championship.

Final Thoughts

The 2024 summer transfer window has been a period of intense activity, with clubs across Europe making strategic moves to strengthen their squads. AC Milan’s loan deal for Tammy Abraham is just one of many significant transfers that could reshape the landscape of European football in the coming season. As teams gear up for the challenges ahead, these new signings will undoubtedly play crucial roles in their respective clubs’ fortunes.