Top transfer deadline deals of summer 2016 including Wilshere to Cherries and Luiz’s Chelsea return
Published:
Robbie Purves | September 1, 2016
A huge 13 Premier League teams broke their transfer records this summer, during a window in which over £1b was spent.
However, it was perhaps the loan moves that caught the eye on August 31st, with many established names heading to pastures new until next summer. Here, we take a look at some of the top transfer deadline deals…
David Luiz to Chelsea (£32m)
.@ChelseaFC and Paris Saint-Germain have agreed terms for the transfer of David Luiz back to London… https://t.co/oaz3h0bEHb
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) 31 August 2016
One of the deals of the window came when the Stamford Bridge side brought former Blues defender Luiz back to London. A mere 24 hours before the deal there wasn’t even a sniff of such a return, yet when the window slammed shut, the Brazil centre back was back in the blue of Chelsea.
Two years after moving to French giants PSG for a world record fee for a defender at £50m, his return to England came as a huge shock.
Joe Hart to Torino (loan)
OFFICIAL: Manchester City have confirmed that Joe Hart has joined Torino on a season-long loan pic.twitter.com/NeEeFOECn1
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) 31 August 2016
England’s number one found himself out of favour with new Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, after reports emerged that the Catalan coach was unhappy regarding Hart’s poor distribution. Guardiola then brought in Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and paved the way for Hart’s exit.
Amid interest from the Premier League, Hart opted for a brave move to Serie A club Torino on loan until next summer, an intriguing move – becoming the first British goalkeeper to play in the Italian top-flight since 1930.
Moussa Sissoko to Tottenham (£30m)
Very happy to join @SpursOfficial for the next 5 years ! pic.twitter.com/2KLe0Hmd4V
— Moussa Sissoko (@MoussaSissoko) 31 August 2016
In a frantic deadline day, Sissoko found himself hot property in a transfer tussle between Everton and Spurs. The Toffees had an offer accepted, a private jet ready and a medical booked, but withdrew their interest after failing to agree personal terms as Tottenham lingered.
With just under two hours to go, Mauricio Pochettino’s outfit agreed a fee and saw Sissoko become the club’s joint record signing.
Wilfried Bony to Stoke City (loan)
Thank You to all the MCFC fans for the support & hello to @stokecity fans I look forward to a great season together pic.twitter.com/NgKcFNkANL
— Wilfried Bony (@wilfriedbony) 31 August 2016
Ivory Coast international Bony moved to the Potters after finding first team opportunities hard to come by at Man City. The hitman is at the Staffordshire club on a season-long loan and will join a talented attacking Mark Hughes squad, boasting the likes of Marko Arnautovic, Xherdan Shaqiri and Bojan Krkic.
Bony will hope to recapture his clinical scoring form that saw him net 26 in 54 appearances for Welsh club Swansea.
Islam Slimani to Leicester City (£30m)
VIDEO: Islam Slimani tells #lcfc fans what they can expect to see from him following his move from @Sporting_CP. pic.twitter.com/Q8jYpDvBS2
— Leicester City (@LCFC) 31 August 2016
The reigning Premier League champions broke their transfer record three times during this window, first Nampalys Mendy for £13m, Ahmed Musa for £16m, then finally on the last day of the window snared Slimani from Sporting Lisbon.
The forward netted 27 in 33 in Portugal last term and is a truly quality addition to Claudio Ranieri’s high-flying Foxes.
Jack Wilshere to Bournemouth (loan)
BREAKING: #afcb complete loan signing of @JackWilshere from @Arsenal. Full info: https://t.co/xTW69RueCl pic.twitter.com/gZ9usCevme
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) 31 August 2016
Heading into the window’s final days, Arsene Wenger made 24-year-old Wilshere available on loan to gain valuable first team experience. Amid offers from Benfica, Roma and Crystal Palace, the England midfielder opted for a move to the south coast with Eddie Howe’s Cherries.
This headline grabbing move should buoy Bournemouth fans and signals a new era in the club’s history. If Wilshere can stay fit, and that is a big if, he should slot in perfectly.
Marcos Alonso to Chelsea (£23m)
Proud to be a new @ChelseaFC player! Can't wait to start this new adventure! pic.twitter.com/pXPHGuMwtY
— Marcos Alonso (@marcosalonso03) 31 August 2016
The former Bolton and Sunderland left back made his return to England with a switch to Stamford Bridge. After impressing at Fiorentina, Alonso has developed into a skilful, versatile defender that can play on the left of a three man back line.
The signing could see Antonio Conte finally switch to his favoured 3-5-2 formation, now he has the personnel.
Didier Ndong to Sunderland (£13.6m)
#SAFC have completed the signing of midfielder Didier Ndong from Lorient for 16m euros. #WelcomeDidier pic.twitter.com/S2ptfgv5cw
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) 31 August 2016
David Moyes’ Black Cats broke their transfer record with the acquisition of the Lorient midfielder. Ndong, 22, is known for his tackling and intercepting qualities and will likely take up the defensive midfield berth at the Stadium of Light.
Ndong joined Lorient for just under £1m in 2015 and impressed during his time in Ligue 1.
Jeff Hendrick to Burnley (£10.5m)
✍ We're delighted to announce the signing of Jeff Hendrick for a club-record undisclosed fee. #WelcomeJeff pic.twitter.com/t83fOmlXq2
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) 31 August 2016
The 24-year-old starred for the Republic of Ireland at Euro 2016 and played more than 200 times for Derby County in the Championship.
Centre midfielder Hendrick broke Burnley’s transfer record and will hope to partner fellow new signing and previous club record addition Steven Defour in the side’s core.
Samir Nasri to Sevilla (loan)
¡@SamNasri19 bienvenido al #SevillaFC! ????????⚽ pic.twitter.com/jrwzK7iN0B
— Sevilla Fútbol Club (@SevillaFC) 31 August 2016
Andalusian outfit Sevilla bagged themselves talented creator Nasri until the end of the season, on the final day of dealing. Nasri was keen to leave Man City for first team football, and a move to Seville presented him with the chance to play every week in a strong league.
Nasri could be in for a difficult time in Spain however, as after Ever Banega left Sevilla for Inter Milan, the creative onus could fall to the Frenchman.
