Transfer deadline day rarely lives up to the hype, but Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham are among those to have pulled off some brilliant signings on the last day of the summer window.
Although deep down we all know it’s likely to be a damp squib, we can’t help but get excited about transfer deadline day as clubs desperately try to add that last sprinkling of quality to their squads while the season is still in its infancy.
Here are five of the best deals to take place on the last day of a summer transfer window.
Carlos Tevez
Dodgy as f*ck, obviously, not that West Ham fans care.
Tevez arrived at Upton Park alongside Javier Mascherano, but while the latter left after only six months, the striker went on to score the goals which kept the Hammers in the division.
Sheffield United fans will disagree, but let’s face it, dodgy as f*ck transfers are very entertaining.
Ashley Cole
In terms of value for money, Chelsea landing Cole for £5million, with William Gallas – who had one year left on his deal and wanted out of Stamford Bridge – moving in the opposite direction, must be up there among the best deadline day transfers evrer.
The Blues had been involved in a long-running, controversial pursuit of Cole, who went on to cement his status as one of the best left-backs in the world in west London.
“I had a great time there and of course I miss the old players, but I moved on and I won every trophy I could, so I wouldn’t say I look back and regret it, no,” Cole told ITV’s Play to the Whistle programme in 2017.
When asked whether he secretly enjoyed his former club’s lack of success after his departure, he added: “If I’m honest, yeah, I still laugh to myself to this day.
“I had a lot of history there and of course the way I left was maybe dodgy, but I think they showed me a lack of respect, too.
“I have to blame myself too. Perhaps I did things in the wrong way. But when I look back on it now I could blame a lot of parties and it’s now 10 years ago.”
Dimitar Berbatov
One of the most exciting deadline day transfer sagas saw Bebatov join Manchester United despite Manchester City having a bid for the striker accepted first.
Tottenham were insistent on doing business with City after making a complaint that United had “acted improperly by seeking to unsettle the player”.
However, determined to move to Old Trafford, Berbatov refused to speak to City and got his wish as Spurs relented and accepted a £30.75million bid which also included Frazier Campbell moving on loan in the opposite direction.
City instead signed Robinho, but United were the big winners as the Bulgarian won six trophies during his time at the club, winning the Golden Boot in 2010-11.
Wayne Rooney
“I think we have got the best young player this country has seen in the past 30 years,” Sir Alex Ferguson said on the day of Rooney’s arrival at Manchester United, and it’s safe to say this was a solid investment.
Thirteen years. 559 appearances. 253 goals. 16 trophies. One hair transplant.
Hugo Lloris
Lloris was already France’s captain and known as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe when Spurs managed to sign the stopper in a deal worth a potential €15million.
Brad Friedel remained Tottenham’s No.1 for a brief period following Lloris’ arrival, but the Frenchman has been Spurs’ undisputed first choice ever since establishing himself between the posts.
“When I first signed for Tottenham, I said a club like this deserves to have a youngish goalkeeper who can expect to be at the club for 10 to 14 years, maybe even longer,” Friedel later told The Sun in 2014.
“I believe we now have that goalkeeper in Hugo. He could be the No.1 here for many, many years to come.
“I can’t speak highly enough of Hugo. He is a very good pro and a very good guy.