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The transfer window rarely disappoints in Europe, especially in England, with Premier League clubs emerging as the biggest spenders season after season. The financial prowess of the clubs involved and the popularity of the league contribute to high levels of competition being maintained.
For some, the transfer window brings calm and relief, whereas for others it brings chaos and challenges. Even though the after-effects of the pandemic were evident, Premier League clubs went ahead in full capacity to lure their targets, working efficiently under their budgets.
Premier League clubs spent nearly £1.1 billion this summer
While everyone was excited about the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku and other high profile names, there were a few popular names who departed the Premier League.
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Here are the five best and biggest departures from the Premier League from the 2021 summer transfer window:
#5 Andreas Pereira
It's difficult to answer whether it was Andreas Pereira who wanted this loan move badly, or Manchester United. Perhaps it was equally desired. The Red Devils have had clear doubts over Pereira's ability to match up to the standards of the Premier League.
The 25-year old likes to function as an attacking midfielder who can drift towards wider sides but he never felt comfortable while playing in the Premier League. In his 45 appearances in the Premier League, he managed an unconvincing tally of two goals and four assists, a return that is unacceptable from a player wearing the Red Devils' jersey.
His loan spell at Lazio wasn't anything more than ordinary last season as Pereira struggled to thrive in a 3-5-2 system under Simone Inzaghi. However, the Brazilian is enjoying a new and optimistic start at Flamengo this season and seems to be finding stability. Unlike the Premier League, he is getting regular game time and is allowed to operate with freedom in his favored No.10 role.
With every passing game, Pereira's importance in the Flamengo side is growing. He has contributed two goals and one assist in seven appearances in Brazilian Serie A so far. Pereria has been fighting with Flamengo for the title on all fronts. It might be best for him to establish a future away from the Premier League. With an option to make his loan permanent next summer, Flamengo could already be probing the idea.
#4 Sergio Aguero
Barcelona acquired the services of the Premier League's highest overseas scorer on a free transfer this summer. The Spanish giants' fans saw a very fine silver lining in the dark clouds over them on Monday as news emerged that Sergio Aguero was back in training. An injury sustained in August before the campaign began has delayed his debut in Barcelona colors.
Ronald Koeman is out of his depth and the team have piled up disappointing performances. Unfortunately, they are yet to open their account in the Champions League this year. Clearly, they are crying for Aguero to hit the ground running from the first game.
Memphis Depay has found himself with loads of stuff to do in the final third all by himself. Aguero's presence will surely be a relief for him and could help the team pose a potent threat in front of goal. Barcelona will be hoping that Aguero hasn't lost his killer touch from his Premier League days.
In his 658 games for various clubs since he started playing for Independiente, Aguero has managed a tally of 378 goals and 118 assists. Considering the predicament that Barcelona find themselves in, Aguero has to hit the ground running straightaway. If he ends up doing that, there will be no denying the fact that Barcelona have pulled off a masterstroke by signing him on a free transfer.
Notably, the Argentine scored for the team in a friendly during the international break.
#3 Erik Lamela
In his goodbye gift to Tottenham Hotspur, Erik Lamela scored the Premier League goal of the season against their arch rivals Arsenal in the north London derby. The Argentine left Spurs after an eight-year-long stay since first arriving in 2013. He arrived with a great reputation on the back of a successful season with AS Roma where he scored 15 goals in Serie A.
Unfortunately for Lamela, he could never replicate that form with Spurs. He failed to reach that benchmark he set for himself even once in the Premier League. The left-winger is the fourth-costliest signing that Spurs have ever made, initially arriving for a tag of £25.8 million plus £4.2 million in add-ons.
The Argentine moved to Sevilla this year in an exchange deal for young starlet Bryan Gil. His stint at Spurs was plagued by injuries that never truly allowed Lamela to fulfill his maximum potential. However, he was known for producing some spectacular tricks and was always an innovative and nimble-footed player.
Lamela made a total of 257 appearances for Spurs and his best return came in the 2015-16 season. He scored five goals and provided nine assists in the Premier League, a goal return he never matched again for the club. Lamela also netted six additional goals in the Europa League that season.
But his start to life in the Spanish top-flight has been impressive with Sevilla. He has scored three goals and claimed an assist so far in seven La Liga appearances. Buoyed by the confidence of a great start, Lamela could end up being a shrewd signing for Sevilla.
#2 Fikayo Tomori
Fikayo Tomori could have been what Trevor Chalobah is currently at Chelsea. Both of them scored their first goals in the Premier League with a long range effort from outside the box. However, both Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel thought Tomori wasn't the guy who would help their team in the Premier League.
In addition, the defender had no plans to become a bench-warmer and put great trust in his own abilities. In fact, he's not the only one. Tomori has become a solid rock in AC Milan's defense and received Gareth Southgate's call-up to the England squad for recent World Cup Qualifiers against Andorra and Hungary.
The English defender has been praised for his aggressiveness and burst of pace. Tomori has so far played all seven games in Serie A. His passing accuracy stands high at 88 per cent and he has also made an impressive 31 ball recoveries. Milan technical director Paolo Maldini and the legendary Franco Baresi have lauded the 23-year old for his impressive work rate and his defending skills.
In what turned out to be Milan's first victory against Juventus since March 2011 last season, Tomori scored and became the first Englishman to score for Milan since David Beckham.
#1 Tammy Abraham
Seldom does Jose Mourinho get his signings wrong and when he invests in youth, he avoids gambling against the odds. Tammy Abraham's move to AS Roma from Mourinho's old Premier League side seems like a win-win deal for all parties. The centre-forward had a tough time trying to break into the Chelsea squad under Thomas Tuchel.
After Edin Dzeko's departure, Abraham, who takes over his No.9 shirt, leads the line for Mourinho's side. The Blues have inserted a buy-back clause in his contract which is worth £75 million and it will get activated from 2023. The buy-back clause makes it evident that Chelsea still believe Abraham could be an asset in the future.
Abraham has featured in all seven of Roma's Serie A games and has managed two goals and two assists. He started for England in their latest World Cup qualifier against Andorra and scored a goal.
The 24-year old has expressed how satisfied he is at Roma and is delighted to be learning from Mourinho. In his last season at Chelsea, the centre-forward made 22 appearances in the Premier League and scored six goals.
Recently, Abraham revealed that he had the option of warming the bench with the Premier League side while contesting for major trophies, but he chose to move on due to his shunted progress.
