Several high-profile deals were finalized on the final day of the 2021 summer transfer window, none more so than Antoine Griezmann’s return to Atletico Madrid. Meanwhile, the Frenchman’s former teammate Saul Niguez left to join Chelsea.
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid reached an agreement regarding the loan of Griezmann just before the 2021 summer window slammed shut. The striker returned to the Spanish capital for the season, with the club holding the option to make his transfer permanent at the end of the season for 40 million euros.
Griezmann wasn’t the only departure from Barcelona on deadline day. The Spanish giants also sold Emerson Royal to Tottenham Hotspur for 25.7 million pounds.
Meanwhile, prodigy Ilaix Moriba ended his contract stalemate with Barcelona by signing for RB Leipzig. The Blaugrana finalized a late deal for Sevilla’s Luuk De Jong; the 31-year-old forward joined the club to act as a back-up striker.
Barcelona’s rivals Real Madrid pulled off a major coup by beating Europe’s elite to Rennes wonder kid Eduardo Camavinga. The 18-year-old Frenchman signed a six-year deal with Los Blancos and became their second signing of the summer after David Alaba.
Atletico bid farewell to one of their midfielders as stalwart Saul Niguez left to join Chelsea on loan for the season. The Blues hold the option to make Saul’s move permanent at the end of the season.
Chelsea’s London rivals Arsenal, too, were active in the market on deadline day. The Gunners loaned academy graduate Hector Bellerin to LaLiga outfit Real Betis.
Japan international Takehiro Tomiyasu arrived in place of Bellerin, with Arsenal accepting to pay Bologna a reported fee of 15.5 million pounds. The club also sanctioned a loan move for winger Reiss Nelson, who was allowed to join Dutch side Feyenoord for the season.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Ademola Lookman joined Leicester City on loan following a similarly successful spell last season at Fulham. West Ham United’s Czech contingent continued to grow with the signing of midfielder Alex Kral from Spartak Moscow; the club also brought former Everton midfielder Nikola Vlasic back to the league from CSKA Moscow.
