Reuters
London, Sept 1: Chelsea re-signed David Luiz and Premier League champions Leicester City broke their transfer record for striker Islam Slimani as Premier League clubs exceeded the one billion pounds barrier when the curtain fell on transfer deadline day, Wednesday.
Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere completed an unexpected loan move to Bournemouth, while Tottenham Hotspur pipped Everton to Newcastle United’s Moussa Sissoko in a deal said to be worth 30 million pounds ($39.41 million).
Fees paid by Premier League clubs passed one billion pounds for the first time, according to financial analysts Deloitte. That was inflated by the world record 89 million pounds that Manchester United paid Juventus for France midfielder Paul Pogba earlier in the window. United also got one of the close-season bargains in Zlatan Ibrahimovic who joined as a free agent.
The highest fee on deadline day, reported to be about 34 million pounds, was paid by Chelsea for Brazil defender Luiz who had left the London club to join Paris Saint-Germain two years ago for 50 million pounds.
Chelsea also completed the signing of Spanish left back Marcos Alonso from Fiorentina for 24 million pounds, making them the Premier League’s biggest spenders on the final day.
Leicester were among 13 Premier League clubs to break their club transfer record, paying an initial 30 million euros ($33.47 million) to sign Sporting Lisbon striker Slimani. It was the third time they had set their club record in the window.
Manchester City, who splashed out millions on players such as England defender John Stones, were among the clubs trimming their squads on deadline day.
Coach Pep Guardiola allowed England goalkeeper Joe Hart, Wilfried Bony, Samir Nasri and Eliaquim Mangala to leave on season-long loans.
