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16 articles summarized · Last updated: LATEST

Last updated: September 2, 2026, 2:03 PM ET

Transfer Record Falls

The Premier League shattered its spending record for a second consecutive summer, with clubs shelling out £3.198bn before the deadline. The window's defining moment came late as Manchester City paid a joint-British record £125m to land Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, ending the summer's longest-running saga with City backing manager Enzo Maresca for the deal.

Deadline Day Drama

Not every move went through cleanly. Everton's pursuit of Folarin Balogun collapsed after his medical at Finch Farm, with the striker changing his mind at the last moment. Chelsea also saw a deal fall apart as Lamine Camara's £47.1m move from Monaco broke down, leaving the Senegal midfielder in Ligue.

Crystal Palace were active late, securing Ben Chilwell and Quinten Timber on permanent deals. Sunderland beat Palace to Lyon's Malick Fofana, finalising a £30m move for the winger. Ipswich added Burnley forward Zian Flemming for £20m on a four-year deal.

Tottenham strengthened their attack by taking Mykhailo Mudryk on loan from Chelsea while also completing a permanent move for Tosin Adarabioyo. Liverpool secured teenage goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans from Genk in a deal worth up to £30m, though he arrives for the 2027-28 season.

City's Other Business

Manchester City weren't finished after the Fernandez deal. They also landed Iliman Ndiaye from Everton in a package worth up to £65m, completing a remarkable rise for the winger who started in non-league football. A full rundown of every deadline-day deal across the Premier League, Scottish Premiership, EFL and Women's Super League is available.

Title Race Questions

Chief football writer Phil McNulty has questioned whether Arsenal's rivals have done enough to challenge the champions, given City's massive outlay and Liverpool's search for balance. Meanwhile, the Gunners themselves face scrutiny over not signing a world-class forward, despite their busy window. Liverpool reportedly made a late move for Chelsea's Malo Gusto, according to Wednesday's gossip column.

International News

Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes has cast doubt on his international future, saying it will be "difficult" to continue playing for his country following his 10-match ban.