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French World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann is heading back to Atletico Madrid after two years at Barcelona while their Spanish rivals Real Madrid missed out Kylian Mbappe but signed another French starlet on transfer deadline day.
In England, Dan James moved from Manchester United to Leeds United, as Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford was wrapped up, and Arsenal and Tottenham closed in on new right backs.
Chelsea, who have made an impressive start to the season, were working to bring in Atletico midfielder Saul Niguez after Sevilla rejected Chelsea’s offer for France defender Jules Kounde.
Griezmann’s move was the biggest surprise of a busy deadline day.
He joined Barcelona two years ago when they paid his $A201m buyout clause from Atleti. It is reported he moves back on a one year loan with an obligation to but set at $A60m.
Not only is the massive loss galling, but once again Barca, who sold Atleti Luis Suarez last season, have helped strengthen the La Liga champions.
Griezmann scored 35 goals in 102 games and only won the Copa del Rey and follows Lionel Messi out the door in this window as Barca were forced to let their all-time top goalscorer leave to fit within La Liga’s wage structure.
Griezmann was the third transfer deadline day sale from Barcelona with right-back Emerson Royal joining Tottenham for $49m and teenage midfielder Ilaix Moriba heading to RB Leipzig.
Antoine Griezmann back to Atletico Madrid, HERE WE GO! Agreement now completed with Barcelona. Loan until June 2022 with buy option for €40m. ⚪️???? #Atleti #DeadlineDay
Griezmann has agreement for two years contract plus one option. He’s BACK at Atléti. Shocking move of the day. pic.twitter.com/kBQAkgQyLt
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 31, 2021
Spurs’ north London rivals Arsenal also appeared poised to sign a new right back with 22-year-old Japan international Takehiro Tomiyasu having undergone a medical and agreed terms on a four-year deal with a $37m fee to Bologna.
We can confirm our ???????????? signings ???????????? number! ????????
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 31, 2021
Real Madrid failed with a whopping $321m bid for Paris Saint-Germain’s Mbappe but signed another exciting young France international in Eduardo Camavinga.
Camavinga, an 18-year-old midfielder, joined on a six-year contract from Rennes for $50, with up to $18m to follow in add-ons.
Madrid were forced to accept defeat in their pursuit of Mbappe when PSG declined to respond to their latest offer.
Madrid’s bid would have guaranteed PSG a a small profit on what he cost when he signed from Monaco and has less than a year left on his contract, meaning he can go next year for free.
Here is some more deadline day news.
Newcastle have signed a 19-year-old Mexican named Santiago Munoz. Exactly like in the 2005 film ‘Goal’.
When life imitates art… ???? pic.twitter.com/nwbPd0nUk5
— Transfer News (@TrustyTransfers) August 31, 2021
Donny van de Beek wanted to leave Manchester United before the deadline.
A loan deal with Everton was close but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer blocked the move.
Van de Beek stays in Manchester. (AD)
— Dutch Football ???????? (@FootballOranje_) August 31, 2021
Chelsea will pay €5m to Atletico Madrid for Saúl – he’ll be in England in the coming hours to complete his move. Paperworks time between the two clubs. ???? #CFC #DeadlineDay
Koundé deal still completely blocked between Chelsea and Sevilla.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 31, 2021
DONE DEAL: @LCFC have confirmed the signing of Ademola Lookman from RB Leipzig on a season-long loan. ????#TransferDeadlineDay
Will Lookman be a good edition? ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/5TSCbo8ZHJ
— boohooMAN (@boohooMAN) August 31, 2021