Transfer news: 20 done deals you might have missed in August
The end of the summer transfer window is quickly approaching, with clubs scrambling to get those all-important deals across the line.
It’s already been a monumental summer with Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona on a free transfer, joining Neymar and Kylian Mbappe at Paris Saint-Germain. Memphis Depay has replaced him at the Camp Nou.
And we’ve also seen stars like Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Romelu Lukaku move to the Premier League, while England international Jack Grealish and Tammy Abraham have sealed moves to Man City and Roma, respectively.
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But what about some of the under-the-radar deals, or those that somehow just flew under your radar? Fear not, Squawka has you covered…
1. Manuel Locatelli
OFFICIAL | #LocatelliAnnounced 🤲⚪⚫
@locamanuel73
#WelcomeManuel— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) August 18, 2021
From: Sassuolo
To: Juventus
Fee: Loan
Following his impressive showing at Euro 2020, playing five times and scoring twice as Italy sealed the title, Manuel Locatelli has bagged himself a big move. The 23-year-old has switched Sassuolo for Juventus on a two-year loan, with the Old Lady obligated to make the deal permanent in 2023.
Locatelli is the youngest outfield player to have made at least 100 appearances in the Italian top-flight, turning out 145 times to date during spells with Sassuolo, AC Milan and now Juve, scoring eight goals and providing 11 assists. His energy and quality in the middle will give Juve a serious boost as they attempt to wrestle the Serie A title back from Inter.
Juventus have also signed Brazilian wonderkid Kaio Jorge from Santos for an initial £1.35m plus add-ons. They tend to turn out some good ones at Santos…
2. Pedro
👀 Introducing our new number 9️⃣#CMonEagles 🦅 pic.twitter.com/xVUyxVqZvJ
— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) August 19, 2021
From: Roma
To: Lazio
Fee: Free transfer
Staying in Serie A, former Barcelona and Chelsea winger Pedro has committed the unthinkable, joining Lazio directly from arch-rivals Roma.
The Spaniard arrives on a free transfer and will even wear the Biacosolesti’s No.9 shirt. Though if you check out the replies to the above tweet, Roma fans actually appear happier with the move than Lazio.
3. Josh Sargent
📝 We are delighted to announce the signing of American forward Josh Sargent from Werder Bremen!
🇺🇸 #SargentSigns 🇺🇸
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) August 9, 2021
From: Werder Bremen
To: Norwich City
Fee: £8m
It’s been a busy summer for US talent but arguably the headline move has been striker Josh Sargent switching Werder Bremen for Norwich City, following the former’s relegation from the Bundesliga and the latter’s return to the English top-flight.
Sargent hasn’t been clinical in club football so far, scoring just 15 goals in 83 senior appearances for Bremen. But he does have five goals in 16 international caps and is immensely talented in build-up play, so should suit Daniel Farke’s style nicely.
This all comes as fellow USMNT prospects Gianluca Busio and Tanner Tessmann left Sporting Kansas City and FC Dallas, respectively, to join Serie A newcomers Venezia, while left-back Sam Vines arrived at Antwerp from the Colorado Rapids.
4. Luiz Araujo
It's official ‼️#ATLUTD signs Brazilian forward Luiz Araújo.
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) August 6, 2021
From: Lille
To: Atlanta United
Fee: £8.5m
While the likes of Busio and Tessmann left MLS, Luiz Araujo has come through the door, joining Atlanta United from Lille for just shy of £10m, placing him right in the upper echelon of the league’s all-time fees for an incoming player.
This is quite the capture for the Five Stripes considering Araujo was part of Lille’s Ligue 1-winning team last season and played 85 minutes in their 1-0 Trophee des Champions win over PSG recently.
5. Leon Bailey
It's time to #WelcomeLeon. 🇯🇲@LeonBailey is an Aston Villa player! 🙌
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 4, 2021
From: Bayer Leverkusen
To: Aston Villa
Fee: £30m
Aston Villa may have lost Jack Grealish to Man City, but they’re sure spending the money well to bolster their squad. Leon Bailey is one of the big names to arrive in the Midlands this summer, joining from Bayer Leverkusen for £30m. The Jamaica international notched 39 goals and 26 assists in 156 appearances for Leverkusen and his pace and trickery should add serious bite to Villa’s wings.
6. Joe Hart
📝 𝗗𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗟! 😁💚
Welcome to #CelticFC, Joe Hart and James McCarthy! 🍀#WelcomeHart 🤝 #WelcomeMcCarthy
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 3, 2021
From: Tottenham Hotspur
To: Celtic
Fee: £1m
Celtic have a real job on their hands grabbing the Scottish Premiership title back from arch-rivals Rangers but at least they have plenty of experience between the sticks in Joe Hart, who has signed from Spurs on a three-year deal. The 34-year-old has already kept four clean sheets in six games for the Hoops, so the early signs are good that the former England international could enjoy a late flourish at the end of his career.
7. James McCarthy
👋 The Bhoy! 🤩🍀#WelcomeMcCarthy 1⃣6⃣ pic.twitter.com/gAGTKV52yp
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 6, 2021
From: Crystal Palace
To: Celtic
Fee: Free transfer
That’s not the only bit of high-profile business Celtic did this summer, with the Glasgow giants also bringing boyhood fan James McCarthy from Crystal Palace on a four-year deal. The 30-year-old Republic of Ireland international has had his fitness issues but at his best, is a robust midfielder with a relentless work ethic, and should add plenty of tenacity to the Hoops’ title challenge.
8. Denzel Dumfries
🚨 | ANNOUNCEMENT
Denzel Dumfries joins #Inter!⚫️🔵
👉 https://t.co/ydudKXQEYI#WelcomeDenzel #IMInter pic.twitter.com/mtLZOlZWhZ
— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter_en) August 14, 2021
From: PSV
To: Inter
Fee: £10.6m
For a while, it looked like Denzel Dumfries would join Everton but instead, he’s rocked up at Italian champions Inter, replacing Achraf Hakimi following his big-money move to PSG.
Dumfries was one of the stars of Euro 2020 and an £10.6m fee is an absolute steal for a player who should add plenty of thrust to Inter’s right flank.
9. Edin Dzeko
🚨 | ANNOUNCEMENT@EdDzeko is an #Inter player ⚫🔵
👉 https://t.co/eMw6uErh9C#WelcomeEdin #IMInter pic.twitter.com/01KL4Ia5Mh
— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter_en) August 14, 2021
From: Roma
To: Inter
Fee: Free transfer
Hakimi wasn’t the only big name Inter needed to replace. Even discounting Antonio Conte’s departure (his spot has been filled by Simone Inzaghi), top scorer Romelu Lukaku has returned to Chelsea, leaving Lautaro Martinez in desperate need of partnership and competition.
That will be provided by veteran striker Edin Dzeko, signed from rivals Roma on a free transfer. Though Dzeko is now 35, he has been prolific in Serie A for Roma and just last season scored 13 goals in 38 games across all competitions for the Giallorossi.
10. Marko Arnautovic
A first look at Arnie in Bologna colours 👕🔴🔵#Arnautovic #ForzaBFC #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/stdJfXf8aI
— Bologna FC 1909 (@BolognaFC1909en) August 1, 2021
From: Shanghai SIPG
To: Bologna
Fee: £3.4m
Staying in Italy again, Marko Arnautovic has made a shock return to Europe, leaving Shanghai SIPG in China for Bologna. The 32-year-old reminded Premier League fans what he was capable of by getting on the scoresheet against North Macedonia at Euro 2020 this summer and should provide Bologna with some extra attacking impetus.
11. Jannik Vestergaard
Leicester City is pleased to confirm the signing of defender @JVestergaard7 from Southampton for an undisclosed fee! 📝#Leicestergaard
— Leicester City (@LCFC) August 13, 2021
From: Southampton
To: Leicester City
Fee: £15m
Leicester City probably thought they had most of their summer business tied up. That was until Wesley Fofana was ruled out for the year with a medial ligament injury. The Foxes responded by bringing Jannik Vestergaard from Southampton. The Denmark international is an excellent ball-player and though he was inconsistent at times last season, he was definitely one of the better centre-backs in the Premier League when on form.
12. Joe Willock
✍️ #NUFC are thrilled to announce the signing of Joe Willock on a long-term deal.
Welcome back, @Joewillock! 😍
⚫️⚪️
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 13, 2021
From: Arsenal
To: Newcastle United
Fee: £22m
The loan signing of Joe Willock from Arsenal was transformative for Newcastle last season, with the talented midfielder going on to notch eight goals in just 14 Premier League appearances. Now, supporters can rejoice as the Magpies made that move permanent, though not without parting with a hefty sum in excess of £20m. Even so, this is just the sort of quality Newcastle need to start looking up the table, rather than over their shoulders.
13. Adam Armstrong
Locked in 🔐
✨ @AdamArma9 pic.twitter.com/8ZKrqugbc8
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 10, 2021
From: Blackburn Rovers
To: Southampton
Fee: £15m
One of Newcastle’s former sons has also been on the move this summer, joining Southampton from Blackburn Rovers following a sensational 28-goal 2020/21 Championship season. This, unfortunately, means the Saints have lost Danny Ings to Aston Villa, dealing them another high-profile blow for the season ahead.
Adam joins his namesake, Stuart, giving Southampton absolute supremacy over the Armstrong name.
14. Ben Davies
Our new number 22, Ben Davies. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/97pNrq8BSD
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) August 16, 2021
From: Liverpool
To: Sheffield United
Fee: Loan
“The opportunity that is in front of me is incredible. I’d be silly to not make the most of it and learn off the players [at the club],” Ben Davies said as he signed for Liverpool from Preston in the winter to help ease Jurgen Klopp’s centre-back injury crisis.
Unfortunately, after sitting on the bench for eight games, Davies himself succumb to a calf problem. He’s now joined Sheffield United on loan without actually playing a competitive game for the Reds.
15. Michy Batshuayi
https://twitter.com/BesiktasEnglish/status/1427966415206768649
From: Chelsea
To: Besiktas
Fee: Loan
Michy Batshuayi has made 77 appearances for Chelsea since joining from Marseille in 2016. During that time, he’s made 70 appearances across four various loan spells.
The Belgium international is on his travels again, joining Turkish champions Besiktas on yet another loan having only just signed a two-year extension to his Chelsea contract.
16. Gonzalo Montiel
🚨 @gonzamontiel29, another signing ahead of the 2021/22 season. ⚪ 🔴
Welcome to #SevillaFC, Gonzalo!🔝 🇦🇷#WeAreSevilla #NeverSurrender
— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) August 13, 2021
From: River Plate
To: Sevilla
Fee: £9.4m
Argentina’s starting right-back for their Copa America triumph this summer has finally sealed a move to Europe after years of being touted with a venture across the pond. An indispensable part of Marcelo Gallardo’s esteemed 2018 Copa Libertadores winners, in which Los Millonarios famously beat Superclasico rivals Boca Juniors at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu after crowd trouble in Argentina, Montiel will now test his luck back in Spain.
17. Gary Cahill
We're delighted to confirm the signing of Gary Cahill on a one-year deal 📝#afcb 🍒https://t.co/17yGXalZCs
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 20, 2021
From: Crystal Palace
To: Bournemouth
Fee: Free transfer
Part of a mass exodus at Selhurst Park this summer, in which six first-team members left after the expiration of their contracts, Cahill has dropped down a division to further his career. The 35-year-old has linked up with former England international team-mate Scott Parker at Bournemouth, bringing a wealth of experience to Dorset as the Cherries look to regain access to the Premier League.
18. Andreas Pereira
Mengo é paixão, religião! A Nação te espera de braços abertos. Seja bem-vindo, Andreas Pereira! #NasciFlamengo pic.twitter.com/CNj9PXhNkU
— Flamengo (@Flamengo) August 20, 2021
From: Man Utd
To: Flamengo
Fee: Loan
It just hasn’t quite worked out for Andreas Pereira at Old Trafford. Blessed with bundles of potential and a creative verve that one would think could flourish in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer fast-break system, the one-capped Brazil international has returned to familiar pastures to ensure playing time is forthcoming this campaign. Now with Brazilian champions Flamengo on loan, Pereira will be looking to help the club lift a third straight title.
19. Alessandro Florenzi
#NewPlayerUnlocked: @Florenzi 🏃
Start your engine 🔴⚫#SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/ftSswKcYS1— AC Milan (@acmilan) August 22, 2021
From: Roma
To: Milan
Fee: Loan
He was never going to get ahead of Achraf Hakimi in Paris, so Florenzi has taken his talents to last season’s Italian runners-up Milan. Stefano Pioli will be determined to replicate the successes of 2020/21 this time around and signings in the mould of Florenzi will certainly help achieve that. Able to play in midfield or at full-back, the 45-time Italy international will offer a versatile, explosive option on the flanks for Pioli.
20. Xherdan Shaqiri
Pure class 😎 https://t.co/cOOEIl0O5B
— Olympique Lyonnais 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@OL_English) August 25, 2021
From: Liverpool
To: Lyon
Fee: £9.5m
It always felt like Xherdan Shaqiri’s talents were wasted on the sidelines at Anfield. Able to produce that spark of inspiration in the blink of an eye, the pint-sized magician lacked the consistency to really stake a consistent claim in Jurgen Klopp’s first team. He will now look to become the centrepiece in Lyon. With Memphis Depay having left this summer, the mercurial, occasionally dazzling talents of Shaqiri should help alleviate that talismanic void.