Premier League clubs were scrambling to complete deals before the end of the transfer window on Thursday, with teams including Fulham and Everton among the most active. A change to the timing of the window meant deals had to be wrapped up before the start of the season on Friday and left clubs scrambling to complete transfers. Let’s see which club proved to be losers this season.
Mourinho spent much of the close-season complaining – about everything – and his board’s failure to land any first-team signings other than Brazil international Fred looks set to be a bone of contention for the Manchester United manager. Days before the window closed, Mourinho was still hoping for two new signings, with players including Ivan Perisic, Toby Alderweireld, Willian and Harry Maguire reportedly targets. But none came in and Mourinho will have to work with the players he has, including Anthony Martial, who drew the ire of his manager by failing to make a swift return to the club’s United States tour after the birth of his child.
With no signings at all, it has been a frustrating time for Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino. It was not all bad news as star striker Harry Kane signed a new six-year deal early in the window, while there were no significant departures from a squad that is full of some of the hottest young talent in Europe. Pochettino made it clear he expected arrivals, though, and although the Argentine will understand the tightening of the budget is necessary due to the stadium upgrade project at White Hart Lane, a couple of quality new players could have pushed Spurs on to be contenders at home and abroad.