The end of the transfer window calls for a frenetic activity at the business-end of the clubs as they look to make those last minute signings. Especially the summer transfer window is the one where managers try to acquire or drop players in order to improve team chemistry or turn it into a more formidable unit before their season campaign kicks off.
Whether they are seeking replacements for unexpected injured numbers or adding to bolster their lacking quality, history has enough evidence that last-minute signings have made significant contributions to their clubs achievements following their moves. Hence, we look at the 10 best historical Deadline Day summer transfers of the Premier League.
#10 Marouane Fellaini (Everton to Manchester United)
After Sir Alex’s retirement as Manchester United manager, David Moyes took charge of the club and one of the few bright spots of his managerial stint at Old Trafford was luring his protege Marouane Fellaini from Everton for a then-wild fee of £27.5m. Eventually, David Moyes was fired from his job but Fellaini still continues to be an important player for the Red Devils.
#9 Robinho (Real Madrid to Manchester City)
The deadline day in the summer of 2008 was a fight between the Manchester clubs as the neighbours were involved in some hard transfer activity. After prime target Dimitar Berbatov joined Manchester United, their noisy neighbours chose to successfully complete a last-minute signing of Robinho for a British record £32 million.
Robinho played an impressive debut season for The Citizens scoring 16 goals, however, failed to keep up to his level and was eventually loaned out to Santos, never returning to Manchester as he eventually made a permanent move to AC Milan.
#8 Ashley Cole (Arsenal to Chelsea)
This transfer was one of the biggest deadline day upsets as Ashley Cole moved from the North London club Arsenal to their fierce rivals in West London for a measly fee of £5 million. Although Cole upset a great deal of Arsenal fans, the wing-back vindicated his decision to move to Chelsea as he won a host of trophies including the Premier League title, League Cup, four FA Cups, the Europa League and the Champions League.
#7 Anthony Martial (Monaco to Manchester United)
Anthony Martial was a name barely known to the football fraternity but it only took a level of desperation from Manchester United and a huge fee that was actually a record for the most expensive teenager. Later, the £36 million transfer achieved popularity as he was arguably one of the best performing players for the Louis Van Gaal side, scoring 11 goals in 34 appearances.
#6 Hugo Lloris (Lyon to Tottenham Hotspur)
An absolute steal at £8 million, Tottenham Hotspur had foreseen a star goalkeeper when they signed him from the French club in 2012. Known for his lightning quick reflexes and good decision-making, Hugo Lloris is also the captain of the Premier League club and the France national team with more than 70 appearances. Recently, he led France to the finals of the Euro 2016 at home.
#5 Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham to Manchester United)
While Manchester City were monitoring the Bulgarian’s keenness on a move to Manchester, Dimitar Berbatov actually signed papers on the other side of the Manchester divide with a £32 million move from Tottenham Hotspur.
Berbatov spent four years at the club, achieving trophies but is easily remembered for his individual goalscoring feats such as the hat-trick against Liverpool and the hard-to-forget storm of five goals against Blackburn Rovers after which he became the first non-Englishman to do so. Overall, Berbatov netted 56 times in 149 matches during his time at Manchester United.
#4 Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano (Corinthians to West Ham United)
The world was surprised when West Ham managed to thwart many a clubs’ application for the Corinthian sensational duo of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano. Tevez had already caught everyone’s eyes and was on the radar of major European clubs. Javier Mascherano was also already a highly rated defender, and it turned out the mysterious coup of the twin signings created history for the London club which the fans are still reminiscent of.
Also Read: Flashback to 2006: Tevez and Mascherano's shock transfer to West Ham
#3 Daley Blind (Ajax to Manchester United)
Daley Blind was signed from Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam on the deadline day for £14 million, 1st September, amidst urgent requirement by Louis van Gaal. The Dutchman signed the player he knew from his days as the manager of the Netherlands national side and was convinced he was an ideal addition to the squad.
As it turns out, Daley Blind has been one of the most influential players for the club on the pitch in recent years since his arrival, playing in different positions and different thirds. His versatility has even been applauded by Jose Mourinho and thus far remains a crucial player for the Red Devils.
#2 Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid to Arsenal)
Mesut Ozil brought much-needed smiles on the faces of the Arsenal fans as the club struggled to revive their squad for much of the transfer window. In the dying stages before the window would shut, Arsene Wenger made a statement by signing Ozil from Real Madrid for £42.5 million.
Since his signing at the eleventh hour, Ozil has had doubters criticizing his value at the club but the German seems to have silenced them all by becoming one of the most important players for the club. Last season, he made 19 assists for the club proving to be Arsenal’s backbone, literally.
#1 Wayne Rooney (Everton to Manchester United)
Arguably the greatest deadline day signing in the Premier League, Wayne Rooney caused a furore in the football community as he re-created the record for the most expensive teenager in England after moving to Manchester United as an 18-year-old for £27 million.
With usual criticism over his transfer vision, Sir Alex Ferguson need not have to wait much longer to silence the critics as Rooney scored on his debut in a Champions League match against Fenerbahce and has not stopped scoring ever since. His hat-trick against Arsenal is still fresh in our memory, besides the fact that he is England’s all-time record goal scorer.
