Joao Felix's new contract and five things you missed on Transfer Deadline Day

2 Sept 2023 10:41 BST
4 min read

Joao Felix, Atletico Madrid, 2022/23 — © ProShots

Transfer Deadline Day is always hectic, with high-profile deals happening around the world. The close of the 2023 summer window in Europe did not disappoint, with big moves around the continent.

Sofyan Amrabat, Mason Greenwood, Ryan Gravenberch and Cole Palmer were among those to capture the headlines as millions of euros were spent by the leading sides, but there were also many other deals that have flown under the radar.

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Here are five of the stories you may have missed on a day when the big names dominated the headlines but there was so much more going on.

Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals

Joao Felix extends Atletico Madrid contract

Joao Felix’s transfer to Barcelona was naturally one of the biggest deals in Spain, with the former Chelsea loanee getting his wish to depart Atletico Madrid on loan to Barcelona for a season. The attacker had previously been explicit in his desire to make this move.

Nevertheless, Felix extended his contract with Atletico Madrid before completing his loan switch to Camp Nou. He is now contracted to Atleti until 2029.

It is a curious move given the loan deal with Barcelona has no purchase option and Felix’s relationship with Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone appears broken.

It is also the second time that Felix has pulled this stunt, adding a year to his deal in January when he moved to Chelsea on a temporary basis.

Man Utd sign Jonny Evans

Manchester United may have failed to find a buyer for Harry Maguire, but that has not stopped them adding Jonny Evans to their ranks as an additional option at centre-back.

Evans had signed a short-term deal with the Red Devils in the summer to play friendly matches, and it’s clear that he’s shown manager Erik ten Hag enough to make him believe he’s a worthy part of the squad.

Maguire’s status in the squad might just have fallen even further, while it leaves United the option of selling him to the Saudi Pro League in the next week.

Schmeichel released by Nice

Kasper Schmeichel’s departure from Nice has been on the cards for several weeks, but after the Ligue 1 side could not find a buyer for the 36-year-old goalkeeper, they released him on Deadline Day.

A Premier League champion following his time at Leicester, he can still be signed outside of the transfer window now that he is a free agent.

Sangare, Origi and Iwobi make late moves

Late Deadline Day deals are always among those easiest to miss. Several big transfers were announced after the window had closed, with Nottingham Forest the specialists at it this time around as they signed three players after the deadline.

Ibrahim Sangare was the most eye-catching arrival, joining for €30 million from PSV, but they also signed Liverpool cult hero Divock Origi from AC Milan and Andrew Omobamidele from Norwich.

Fulham, meanwhile, signed Alex Iwobi from Everton, while Toffees fans missed absolutely nothing as their club failed to land any much-needed transfers.

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Deadline Day ✅
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) September 2, 2023

West Ham go top of the Premier League

Yes, club football continued despite the transfer window shutting, with Borussia Dortmund somehow throwing away a two-goal lead at home to newly promoted Heidenheim in the Bundesliga while Marseille drew 1-1 with Nantes in Ligue 1, despite playing 10 men for 81 minutes. Italy’s headline match, meanwhile, saw AC Milan beat Roma 2-1.

But the big news on the field came in England, where David Moyes’ West Ham quietly moved to the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win at Luton Town. Despite the backroom turmoil at the London Stadium, the Hammers have 10 points from four matches.