All the Transfer Deadline Day drama you missed

Though it is largely ignored, football is a very comedic and dramatic sport, and when it comes to transfer deadline day, there is nothing more dramatic or humorous than the narratives a day like that drives.

We have clubs making surprising moves or decisions on a whim, either to part ways with fringe players who they have been having troubles doing away with, or an unhappy player bidding his time long enough to force the club’s hand in selling him to another club. On the other side of the spectrum, we have players and clubs who couldn’t complete a dream move due to formalities failing to be in place at the right time or the wrong place.

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Transfer Chaos: Chelsea hit with a blow

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So, what happened in summer transfer deadline day for the 2024/25 season? What are the surprising or comedic narratives?

For starters, the highly rated Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen once valued at €100 million by Napoli and was widely reported to be on course for a Saudi Arabia move, is still stuck in Naples with Napoli with any hope of playing for a European side this season now out of the window. According to a Fabrizio Romano post, the possibility of Victor Osimhen remaining at Napoli for the whole season means Osimhen’s exclusion from the squad for the entirety of the 2024/25 campaign.

Based on a statement made via his social media handle, the Italian perfectly summed the situation saying:

“If nothing happens from Saudi next 3 days… Osimhen will stay at Napoli, but 𝐍𝐎𝐓 gonna be part of squad. Relationship currently completely broken — as Victor doesn’t want to play anymore after club’s behaviour.”

This leaves things on edgy terms for both the player and Napoli whose negotiation antics prevented a move away from the club. On Osimhen’s part, he rejected a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia club, Al-Ahli while waiting on West London club, Chelsea to improve their offer. However the premier league side refused to bend the knee to the Nigerian’s demands. For Al-Ahli, they had little to lose as they signed their alternative, Ivan Toney who was desperate for the big money move.

Speaking of Chelsea and their transfer antics this summer, Transfer Deadline day allowed the West London side to do away with Raheem Sterling. The former Manchester City and Liverpool player on Transfer Deadline day made the shocking switch from Stamford Bridge to the Emirates to link up with the Blues’ fiercest London rivals, Arsenal.

It is a move no one saw coming, with Sterling largely rumored for the move to Manchester United while Jadon Sancho made the switch to Chelsea. Of course, Sancho though not yet confirmed as a Chelsea player, was reported by Fabrizio Romano to have agreed all terms with the Blues, with Manchester United and Chelsea both accepting terms for a loan deal with an obligation to buy.

Also in Chelsea, the Blues were able to part ways with Trevoh Chalobah and Armando Broja whose move to Ipswich Town failed but got a chance with Everton shortly before the window could close. Chalobah however joins Crystal Palace.

Speaking of Crystal Palace, former Crystal Palace player Wilfried Zaha on deadline day was able to make the stunning move from Galatasaray to Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyon. Zaha’s compatriot, Sebastian Haller made the switch from Borussia Dortmund to La Liga side Leganes.

Arsenal player Reiss Nelson joined Fulham despite his reported loan move to Ipswich Town collapsing just as Broja’s on transfer deadline day. The Gunners on the other hand were able to replace Aaron Ramsdale with AFC Bournemouth’s goalie, Neto on a loan deal for the whole season.

With all premier league transfer moves now shut, it will be interesting to see what comes of the 2024/25 season. Liverpool and Manchester City currently remain the two top sides in the league with the least transfer activity and it is sure to remain that way at least till January.