English football was gripped by tension, uncertainty and last-minute negotiations on Tuesday as Premier League clubs raced to complete major transfers before the summer window closed.
With the Premier League and EFL transfer window closing at 23:00 BST on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, several clubs completed major deals, while others remained involved in frantic negotiations during the final hours.
One of the major moves saw Arsenal midfielder Ethan Nwaneri join Borussia Dortmund on a season-long loan, while Manchester City completed the signing of Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye.
Nwaneri, 19, joined Dortmund on a straight loan deal without a purchase option, with the Bundesliga club covering his full wages.
The England Under-21 midfielder spent the second half of last season on loan at Marseille. Arsenal and Nwaneri believe another temporary move will provide him with valuable first-team experience.
Dortmund accelerated their pursuit following an ACL injury to new signing Giannis Konstantelias.
Manchester City also confirmed Ndiaye’s arrival on Tuesday evening, posting: “Welcome to City, Iliman.”
The Senegal international moved from Everton in a deal reportedly worth £60 million, with a further £5 million available in add-ons. Ndiaye agreed personal terms with City and completed his medical earlier in the day.
City pursued the forward after Liverpool rejected their attempt to sign Cody Gakpo, while Tottenham had also previously held advanced discussions over the player.
Other confirmed Premier League deadline-day deals included Aston Villa’s signing of Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye for a reported £47 million and Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis for approximately £29-30 million.
Newcastle United also completed a £51 million deal for Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo.
Arsenal confirmed Gabriel Jesus’ move to Barcelona for about £8.6 million and Fabio Vieira’s permanent transfer to Hamburg for around £7.7 million, alongside Nwaneri’s loan departure.
Crystal Palace brought in Honest Ahanor from Atalanta on loan, while Newcastle forward Nick Woltemade joined Juventus on a season-long loan, with Juventus reportedly paying £3.5 million and having no option to make the move permanent.
Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr also moved to Juventus on loan, with an obligation to buy worth approximately £23.6 million if certain performance and qualification conditions are fulfilled.
Several other loan and permanent transfers were completed across the Premier League and EFL as clubs battled against the clock.
Although the Premier League and EFL transfer window officially closed at 23:00 BST, clubs could still complete transfers after the deadline if they submitted a deal sheet before the window shut.
That process kept several major deals alive during the final hours.
Manchester City and Chelsea were reportedly involved in advanced negotiations over Enzo Fernandez in a potential deal that could equal or come close to the British transfer record.
The Argentina midfielder was also believed to be keen on reuniting with Enzo Maresca.
However, the move could depend on Chelsea finding a replacement in midfield, with Monaco’s Lamine Camara and Manu Koné reportedly among the options under consideration.
Tottenham were also linked with a possible late double swoop for Chelsea duo Mykhailo Mudryk and Tosin Adarabioyo, with Mudryk potentially moving on loan with an option to buy.
Meanwhile, Everton’s efforts to sign Monaco forward Folarin Balogun encountered possible medical concerns, potentially affecting other related transfers.
Crystal Palace and Sunderland continued to show interest in Lyon winger Malick Fofana, with clubs having until 21:00 BST to submit deal sheets and gain additional time to complete the necessary paperwork.
Arsenal Focus On Departures
Arsenal largely focused on departures rather than new arrivals during the final hours of the transfer window.
The Gunners completed three outgoing deals on deadline day, with Nwaneri joining Borussia Dortmund on loan, Gabriel Jesus moving to Barcelona and Fabio Vieira completing a permanent transfer to Hamburg.
Arsenal also considered a late move for Lyon winger Fofana but ultimately refused to meet the French club’s valuation and withdrew from negotiations.
Sunderland subsequently moved forward with their pursuit of the winger.
Atlético Madrid forward Julian Alvarez remains a long-term target for Arsenal, although reports suggest the player has yet to commit to a move to north London and is currently more likely to remain in Spain.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had indicated that the club would continue looking for ways to strengthen the squad until the deadline, but no major incoming deal appeared close to completion.
Clubs that missed out on their preferred targets will have another opportunity when the winter transfer window opens on January 1, 2027.
The next Premier League transfer window will close at 23:00 GMT on Monday, February 1, 2027, giving teams another month to make mid-season additions before the transfer market closes again until the summer.
