As the transfer deadline for the summer of 2021 approaches, we will be following the biggest transfers and transfer updates of the day across all of Europe’s top leagues.
Cristiano Ronaldo has officially ceased to be a Juventus player after the Italian club confirmed in a statement on transfer deadline day that the Portuguese forward has left the club for an initial fee of €15 million and €8 million in variables payable over five years. He completed his medical examination in Lisbon ahead of his move back to Manchester United with whom he has agreed a two-year deal and is set to be paid an estimated €25 million annually, making him the highest paid player in the English Premier League.
In the aftermath of his two-goal showing against Stade de Reims, Paris Saint Germain striker Kylian Mbappe has seen his immediate transfer plans to Spanish giants Real Madrid scuppered after the club opted to pull the plug on the deal for the 22-year-old Frenchman who has less than a year left on his contract on transfer deadline day. Paris Saint Germain had previously rejected the last offer worth $200 million from Real Madrid as they asked for a higher fee for the talented Frenchman, but Real Madrid have pulled out of the deal in the hopes of convincing Mbappe to join them on a free at the end of the 2021/22 season. With Mbappe having rejected multiple contract offers from Paris Saint Germain, the club hopes that he would accept an offer made during the season to enable them tie him down for longer.
In a similar move, Real Madrid have completed the signing of highly coveted French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga from French club Stade Rennais. The 18-year-old prodigy was linked with a move to English giants Manchester United, but has now opted to join Real Madrid for a total fee of around €30 million. With less than a year left on his contract at Rennes, Camavinga could have left for free at the end of the 2021/22 season, but the teenager decided on leaving immediately to ensure that the club does not miss out on the transfer fee from Real Madrid. The deal was completed in the early hours of transfer deadline day, with the youngster having undergone his medical examination. He joins Austrian defender David Alaba as the only two signings completed by Real Madrid thus far in the transfer window.
France U-21 striker Odsonne Edouard has agreed on a transfer deadline day move to join Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace from Celtic for a reported €18 million. The Frenchman, who was reportedly close to joining Leicester City last year, will join Vieira’s side to compete with Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Christian Benteke for a place in the starting lineup.
Brazilian winger Willian has mutually agreed with Arsenal to tear up his £240,000 a week contract and allow him move back to his native Brazil for free. The winger will join Corinthians on a free transfer despite having two years left on his Arsenal contract. His decision will save the club up to £20 million in wages.
Italian striker Moise Kean has completed a return to his boyhood club Juventus on a two-year loan from Everton. The 22-year-old joined Everton from Juventus before an uneventful first season saw him shipped off on loan to Paris Saint Germain last season. Kean joined Juventus as a 10-year-old before rising through the academy ranks. His deal contains an obligation to buy for €20 million if certain conditions are met.
