StaffAnother transfer window has ended with the deadline day not disappointing with its haywire news coverage and befuddling transfers no one saw coming. Here are my five most remarkable deadline day moves this summer.
THOMAS PARTEY (Atlético Madrid –> Arsenal) : After years of chasing, Arsenal finally bought Thomas Partey in from Atlético after activating his $58m release clause. He has signed a four-year deal worth $257k a week. The 27-year-old enjoyed a fruitful seven-year spell with los colchoneros, featuring for them over 130 times in LaLiga. Standing six-feet tall, the Ghana international is an energy powerhouse who is defensively astute, technically gifted with an eye for long shots, meaning he has all the makings of a midfielder ideal to play in Mikel Arteta’s preferred 3-4-3 system. Thomas’ arrival would help lifting the Arsenal fans’ spirits who have been devastated to see their beloved mascot Gunnersaurus go after a 27-year service. Now it remains to be seen if he can get the Partey started from the get-go.
ALEX TELLES (FC Porto -> Manchester United) : Amidst a disappointing start to the season and a torrid show at the transfer window, United still managed to get in Brazilian left-back Alex Telles from Porto after agreeing a $19m price. The 27-year-old has signed a four-year deal worth $193k a week and will be expected to slot straight in the starting XI. A precocious talent, Telles is defensively reliable and offers the attacking nous from a full-back position which United has lacked from both flanks in recent seasons. He’ll be supplementing Luke Shaw on the left-hand side, while also offering a left-footed option on dead balls. Telles has already started this season in great form, scoring two goals and assisting further two on his last three league games for Porto in Liga NOS. For me he is the best signing United has made this summer, and hopefully he’ll be able to pick up where he left off on the other side of the international break.
ERIC MAXIM CHUPO-MOTING (Free Agent -> Bayern Munich) : Two years ago, Eric featured in an EFL Championship match for Stoke City, the club he was relegated from the Premier League with. Fast forward twenty-four months later, he was featuring in the Champions League final for Paris Saint-Germain which he lost to Bayern Munich – the club he has now joined. Very few can boast the career path Eric Maxim Chupo-Moting has had in the last two years, but as baffling as this transfer might seem, it makes perfect sense for all parties included. The 31-year old is familiar with Bundesliga, having played over 200 league matches for Hamburg, Nuremberg, Mainz and Schalke. As an experienced forward, he’ll offer backup to Bayern’s first choice stars on the left and centre-forward positions. It’s not easy for Bayern to bring in players as backup when your first choice options are Leroy Sane and Robert Lewandowski, but Chupo-Moting brings with him an understanding of his limited role and a formidable camaraderie in the dressing room that is essential for a team to thrive. The Cameroon international has signed a shirt-term deal that will last until June 2021.
EDINSON CAVANI (Free Agent -> Manchester United) : After much speculation about his future, Cavani has finally ended up at Manchester United.
The Uruguay international was long touted to join Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid after ending his seven-year association with PSG, but the Madrid club was continually put off by his wage demands and agent’s fee, which was reported to be around $13m. Then, after months-long courting with SL Benfica, he has finally joined the Red Devils on an initial one-year deal worth $245k a week, which can be extended to a further year. The 33-year old will also be getting a $4.7m signing bonus, with potential $2.35m in add-ons.
By all accounts, Cavani is a legendary striker renowned for his one-touch finishing and tremendous work ethic. Despite leaving PSG as their all-time top goal scorer with 200 goals, the striker struggled with injuries in his last two seasons, featuring in only 52% of PSG’s matched between 2018 and 2020.
Given that Cavani was up for grabs over the past four months, the fact this deal has happened on deadline day shows United’s desperation reel a big-name signing in. As much wrong as I could be proved in the coming weeks, I believe Cavani has come five years too late.
FEDERICO CHIESA (Fiorentina -> Juventus) : Young Italian starlet Federico Chiesa has finally left Fiorentina to join eternal champions Juventus in a $58.6m deal. Juventus have crafted this deal in a shrewd manner to prevent over-spending in a COVID-affected season. The Turin-based club has officially signed the Italy international on a two-year loan deal with an obligation to buy. Juve will pay the initial $11.7m over Chiesa’s transfer over the two-year loan period and the remainder at the end of it, in 2022. Despite being a highly-rated prospect, this deal might come off as expensive at first look, but could prove dirt-cheap depending how things play out for Chiesa over the next two years. The deal could further rise to another $11.7m depending on Chiesa’s performances.
The 22-year-old had been touted to leave Fiorentina ever since burst on to the scene back in 2016. He’ll be providing width to Pirlo’s attack from either flank, especially after Douglas Costa’s return to Bayern on a year-long loan.
Written By
Anshuman Joshi
