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In a coronavirus-ravaged year, the summer transfer window in Europe's top five leagues (except Ligue 1) opened belatedly between July and September and closed harmoniously on 5th October.
The Premier League transfer window had opened on 27th July, a day after the end of the 2019-20 season.
During this period, as is usually the case, Premier League clubs flexed their financial muscles and conducted business worth €1.4 billion, which was more than that of La Liga (€0.41 billion), Bundesliga (€0.32 billion) and Ligue 1 (€0.449 billion) clubs combined.
All of the top Premier League teams significantly strengthened their squads despite the fact that the financial slowdown, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, afflicted most of the football world.
Buoyed by the end of their two-season embargo in player transfers, Chelsea conducted one of the biggest squad overhauls in recent history as the London club splashed over €247 million to bring in quality players like Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell among others.
Not to be left behind, Manchester City splurged over €156 million on the likes of Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake to replenish various positions in their squad.
Among other prominent signings made by the top Premier League clubs, Liverpool acquired Diogo Jota and Thiago Alcantara, Manchester United got hold of Donny van de Beek and Alex Telles while Arsenal bought Thomas Partey and Gabriel.
Even newly-promoted Leeds United, who lost 3-4 to Liverpool and held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw, spent over €100 million to strengthen their roster under experienced Argentine tactician Marcelo Bielsa before the transfer window closed.
Notable incoming free transfers and loan deals during the summer transfer window included the arrivals of Gareth Bale at Tottenham Hotspur, James Rodriguez at Everton and Edinson Cavani at Manchester United.
5 players who could still move to the Premier League after the close of the transfer window
However, even after the close of the transfer window, Premier League clubs are allowed to acquire players from the lower leagues in England till October 16th. On that note, let us take a look at five players from the lower divisions who could arrive in the Premier League during this period.
#1 Todd Cantwell (Norwich City)
Norwich City midfielder Todd Cantwell scored six goals in 37 games for his club in his maiden Premier League campaign last season but his efforts weren't enough as the 2018-19 Championship winners endured relegation.
The 22-year-old has, however, managed to catch the attention of Premier League clubs Liverpool and Leeds United.
With Cantwell not making Norwich's last two match-day squads, the rumours of his return to the Premier League have gained more traction.
Even though manager Daniel Farke may not want to part with the player as Norwich eye an immediate return to the top tier, it is likely that Cantwell may not be at the club for too long as Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a £30 million move for the midfielder.
#2 Said Benrahma (Brentford)
Algerian winger Said Benrahma has been a key player for Brentford since arriving at the Championship side from Nice in the summer of 2018.
Benrahma scored ten league goals in his debut campaign in England but his 17 goals last season managed to catapult him to the radars of a bevvy of Premier League clubs.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank seemed resigned to the fact that the player may leave for a top-division club after Benrahma dazzled with a brace in the Championship club's 3-0 win over Fulham in the Carabao Cup:
"Am I confident he will stay? I'm confident that I would love him to stay, and I would love to have him. But I don't know. Honestly, if the price is right we are open to selling, but if not we will be happy for him to stay.Either we are going to get a top price or we are going to keep one of the best players in the Championship. Has he added a few million to his price? 100 per cent!"
With the likes of Crystal Palace, West Ham United, Chelsea and Arsenal all reportedly interested in Benrahma, it remains to be seen if the player moves to the Premier League in a few days time.
#3 Ismaila Sarr (Watford)
After making his professional debut with Metz in Ligue 1, Ismaila Sarr also turned out for Rennes before reportedly becoming newly-promoted Premier League club Watford's club-record signing in the summer of 2019.
The Senegalese winger failed to live up to the hype as his five goals in 27 games couldn't keep his club afloat in the English top division. However, two of those goals came in a win over Premier League champions Liverpool that caught the attention of the big boys in the competition.
With Watford intent on making a swift return to the Premier League, Sarr is seen as someone who could play a key role in the club gaining an immediate promotion.
Despite Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester United reportedly interested in the services of the Senegal international, Watford have managed to keep the striker at the club. However, that could change in the next few days if either club matches or betters Watford's asking price of £40 million.
#4 Joshua King (Bournemouth)
Norwegian striker Joshua King has been a key player for Bournemouth as he scored 48 Premier League goals in the club's five-season stay in the English top-flight that ended last season.
King, a Manchester United reject, scored only six times in 26 games last campaign as goal-shy Bournemouth endured Premier League relegation.
Despite having a year left in his contract with the Championship club, King is unlikely to ply his trade in the second division for too long as he is reportedly the subject of interest from Premier League clubs Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
The striker may have endured a lean campaign last season but his ability to score goals and create opportunities for teammates could benefit a lot of clubs in the English top division.
#5 Joe Rodon (Swansea)
Joe Rodon is a ball-playing centre-back who plies his trade for Championship side Swansea.
The 22-year-old Welshman has impressed in his two seasons in the English Second Division, drawing admiration from Sky Sports EFL pundit Andy Hinchcliffe, who compared his game-style with that of Rio Ferdinand and John Terry.
"You look at Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, and there are elements of both in Rodon's game."
Rodon is reportedly being pursued by Premier League clubs Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham. Spurs are apparently ready to part with anything between £7m and £18m for the services of the player after missing out on some key targets that have left them short-staffed in the centre of defence.
