Transfer deadline day is underway for Premier League clubs, but who signed the best deals on the last day in 2020 from Thomas Partey joining Arsenal and Raphinha to Leeds United?
English top-flight teams had until October 5 to finalise their international business in 2020, following the later start to the term. The 29th Premier League season was originally set to begin on August 8, but a ball was not kicked until September 12 due to the Covid-19 delay.
- WORLD CUP: ONE PLAYER TO WATCH FROM ALL 32 NATIONS AT QATAR
- WORLD CUP: TOURNAMENT RECORD OF FRANCE ICON ZINEDINE ZIDANE
Still, teams took their dealings down to the 23:00 wire, before turning their attentions to a domestic-only window. Clubs were given until October 16 to continue agreeing late moves with Football League or lower teams, which West Ham United used to sign Said Benrahma.
Premier League clubs combined for a total of 12 deadline day deals on the final day of the international market in October 2020. Manchester United were the most active outfit with four moves, over Fulham and Everton (2) and Arsenal, Newcastle, Southampton and Leeds.
Arsenal, meanwhile, were the top spenders on one deal with Partey’s arrival from Atletico Madrid. The Ghana midfielder set the Gunners back £45.5m as boss Mikel Arteta triggered a release clause in his terms at the Metropolitano, while awarding him a five-year contract.
Yet while Arsenal got value in their 2020 deadline day deal, neither of Manchester United’s four last-gasp transfers rank in the top-five Premier League moves from the last day now…
Thomas Partey: Arsenal took midfield to new level with deadline day deal
Mikel Arteta took his midfield at Arsenal to a new level with the north Londoners’ deadline day deal to bring Thomas Partey to the Premier League from Atletico Madrid. The 29-year-old’s move added the defensive anchor that the Gunners had been crying out for for years.
Injuries have been the sole downside of the deal on the pitch for Arsenal, with Partey only amassing 51 top-flight appearances so far from a potential 78 fixtures. But when available, particularly last season, the 40-cap international has transformed the look of Arteta’s side.
Partey’s importance to the engine room at the Emirates Stadium became evident the most during the north Londoners’ vital run-in last term. A thigh injury kept him out of the club’s final nine matches, in which Arteta sorely missed his athleticism and defensive protection.
Raphinha: Leeds secured one of Premier League’s best deadline day Oct 2020 deals
Leeds United secured one of the Premier League’s best deadline day deals in October 2020 as Marcelo Bielsa brought Raphinha to England. The Elland Road outfit paid Stade Rennais £17m before add-ons for the forward, who became a dynamic talisman in West Yorkshire.
The 25-year-old could carry the Whites on his back, and regularly dragged the club through some tough times last term whilst they battled a raft of injuries. So much so that Barcelona swooped this July to agree a £49m move, up to £55m after add-ons, to coax him to La Liga.
Chelsea had also agreed a £55m fee for the winger, who also earned interest from Arsenal, per The Telegraph. But he longed to move to the Camp Nou, following 65 Premier League appearances for 17 goals and 12 assists. He also enjoyed his Brazil debut in October 2021.
Ben Godfrey: Everton raided relegated Norwich City to secure defender deal
Everton raided Norwich City after their relegation into the Championship to seal a deadline day deal for defender Ben Godfrey in October 2020 for £20m. The 24-year-old had been an integral part of the Canaries unit in 2019/20, yet took his game to a new level in royal blue.
Godfrey has often proven to be the Toffees’ best centre-back, ahead of Michael Keane and Yerry Mina, through his time at Goodison Park. He has also provided the Merseyside outfit an option able to feature at left or right-back, and able to make a crucial impact in any role.
His versatility ensured Godfrey featured 31 times over his maiden top-flight campaign with Everton. The York-born enforcer also featured 23 times last season, but missed six of their last seven games through an injury and has so far featured once this term after a leg break.
Tosin Adarabioyo: Fulham deal among Premier League’s best on deadline day 2020
Fulham’s late deal to sign Tosin Adarabioyo from Manchester City was one of the Premier League’s best bits of business on deadline day in October 2020. His performances in west London have been vital to the Cottagers’ efforts in the top-flight, and in the Championship.
So impressive were his performances as Fulham endured relegation in 2020/21 that The Athletic cited interest from Arsenal and Newcastle United. He had only cost the Cottagers £1.5m, plus £500k in add-ons, but stood strong at 6 ft 5 to anchor Scott Parker’s backline.
Adarabioyo impressing in the Championship last season also helped Fulham to sweep the title, after fending off further Premier League interest. The Times credited Newcastle with a renewed appreciation for the mid-season market, having offered a strong passing range.
Joachim Andersen: Fulham hired now Crystal Palace star on loan from Lyon
Fulham further improved their former manager Scott Parker’s defence on deadline day in October 2020 with a last-gasp move to hire Joachim Andersen on loan from Lyon. The 26-year-old would go on to play 31 Premier League games in west London as the vice-captain.
Parker felt confident in regularly awarding the 17-cap Denmark international the armband, and even handed Andersen the role in just his fourth appearance. The centre-half instantly transformed the Craven Cottage backline after his late arrival, but only stayed for a season.
Fulham’s relegation ensured Andersen did not stay around and he instead secured a £15m, rising £2m with add-ons, transfer to Crystal Palace in July 2021. At Selhurst Park, the 6 ft 3 ace has proven a mainstay with his desire to get stuck in and contain opposition offences.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
