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And just like that, it’s over… for another six months.
It was an eventful end to the summer transfer window, as Manchester United begun the day by officially reuniting Antony with manager Erik ten Hag and Chelsea ended it by bringing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back to England, while Liverpool sprang a surprise by signing Arthur Melo.
There was also activity at Aston Villa, Fulham, Leeds, Manchester City, Southampton, Nottingham Forest – obviously – and Leicester spent money, too.
The chaotic end to the window ensured Premier League clubs broke their transfer spending record for the summer – with £1.9bn paid out in total.
Here, talkSPORT looks at another crazy deadline day worth of deals.
MORNING GLORY
Man United confirmed Antony was theirs, with the 22-year-old signing from winger for £80million and potential add-ons taking it to £85m.
“This is an incredible moment in my career to be joining one of the most iconic clubs in the world,” he told manutd.com.
Rivals City were active and brought in Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji – their fifth signing of the window – from Borussia Dortmund on a five-year deal.
On the south coast, Southampton said goodbye to Oriol Romeu after seven years as he returned to his native Spain to sign for Girona. Leicester, meanwhile, spent their first bit of savings on defender Wout Faes from Reims.
AFTERNOON DELIGHT
Willy Boly completed his move to Nottingham Forest, becoming the club’s 19th signing of the window.
Bournemouth brought in Jack Stephens on loan from Southampton and it was revealed Chelsea and Barcelona had agreed a fee to take Aubameyang back to the Premier League.
As the day kicked on, Jan Bednarek was heading to West Ham, then that was off and he joined Aston Villa instead, while Steven Gerrard’s side also snapped up Leander Dendoncker from Wolves.
Fulham then announced a deal to sign Paris Saint-Germain left-back Layvin Kurzawa on loan and Willian for free.
Also leaving PSG was Idrissa Gana Gueye, who went back to Everton.
“There is no better feeling than coming back home. I am very happy to be here at Everton again, to help and to work hard. I’ll give my soul to this team,” he said.
EVENING ENTERTAINMENT
United added goalkeeper Martin Dubravka to their ranks, meaning they count him and Tom Heaton, both of whom were no.1 shot stoppers a couple of seasons ago, as their back up goalies.
One bit of entertainment came from Leeds, via the south of France. Marseille’s Bamba Dieng spent much of the afternoon with a private jet on standby. He was deciding on whether to head to Elland Road or rivals Nice. He didn’t choose Leeds despite chairman Andrea Radrizzani getting out the bunting…
Radrizzani and Leeds got the last laugh, though, when it emerged Dieng had failed his medical at Nice.
Chelsea added a very familiar face to their ranks in former Arsenal man Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with Marcos Alonso joining Barcelona as part of the deal.
Hector Bellerin also sealed an emotional return to Barcelona as Arsenal granted him a free transfer.
Meanwhile, Juventus and Switzerland midfielder Denis Zakaria joined Chelsea on loan.
There was hope that Memphis Depay might also arrive, but with an hour to go before the deadline, the Dutchman told fans he had decided to stay on Barca’s bench.
However, the Blues said goodbye to Billy Gilmour, who joins Brighton for a fee of just £7.5m.
At Anfield, Arthur Melo’s loan was announced late on and now will count Joel Matip as another top player he can call teammate after Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar. You think talkSPORT is joking, but the players genuinely love him.
We thought there was more to come at Arsenal but they couldn’t get a deal for Douglas Luiz over the line.
Everton got their hands on Manchester United midfielder James Garner, while Tahith Chong made his move to Birmingham permanent.
Out of absolutely nowhere, Fulham signed former Tottenham loanee Carlos Vinicius from Benfica. They also managed to get a loan move for Leeds’ Daniel James done too.
Southampton, meanwhile, pulled off FOUR bits of business.
Ainnsley Maitland-Niles joined on loan from Arsenal for the season.
The Saints also signed Duje Caleta-Car from Marseille and another two players from Manchester City on deadline day, bringing in Samuel Edozie and Juan Larios.
Incidentally, Nottingham Forest added summer signings 20 and 21 to their ranks – the Premier League new boys announcing deals for winger Josh Bowler and French defender Loic Bade after the window slammed shut.
Steve Cooper’s side have now spent £145m, breaking the British record for most signings in a single season in the process.
Leeds then finally got a forward as they announced late into the night the signing of Wilfried Gnonto on a five-year-deal from Swiss Super League champions FC Zurich.
The 18-year-old striker, who came through Inter Milan’s academy, is the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Italy team.
And that’s about it… Roll on January!
Key Premier League transfer deadline day signings:
– Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Denis Zakaria (Chelsea)
– Billy Gilmour (Brighton)
– Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds)
– Willy Boly, Josh Bowler, Loic Bade (Nottingham Forest)
– Duje Caleta-Car, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Samuel Edozie, Juan Larios (Southampton)
– Dan James, Willian, Layvin Kurzawa, Carlos Vinicius (Fulham)
– James Garner, Idrissa Gueye (Everton)
– Arthur Melo (Liverpool)
– Leander Dendoncker, Jan Bednarek (Aston Villa)
– Antony, Martin Dubravka (Man Utd)
– Wout Faes (Leicester)
– Manuel Akanji (Man City)
