The Transfer window has just shut, and the final day of the summer window is by far when the most deals get over the line. A marquee transfer taking a U-turn, a record-breaking fee, or a player forcing his way out: we all love the drama. So we are going to look back at the most shocking transfers made on transfer deadline day.
10. Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United (2021)
After 12 years away from Old Trafford, Cristiano Ronaldo sealed a sensational return to Manchester United from Juventus on deadline day.
What made this truly shocking was the intense media frenzy leading up to the announcement—for 24 hours, it looked absolutely certain he was joining Manchester City before United swooped in to hijack the deal.
9. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Barcelona (2022)
Later, in the club's Amazon documentary the next year, club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mikel Arteta's relationship reached a point of no return. The Arsenal outcast flew himself to Barcelona on deadline day without an agreement in place.
As the clock ticked down and negotiations stalled over wages, Arsenal simply agreed to mutually terminate his contract, allowing him to sign as a free agent just after the deadline passed.
8. Mesut Ozil to Arsenal (2013)
Much like this year, Arsenal fans often end up disappointed on deadline day when they want to be competing. But 2013 seemed like the turn of a new leaf after they signed one of the best playmakers on the planet.
Out of nowhere, Arsène Wenger shattered the club's transfer record to sign German playmaker Mesut Özil from Real Madrid. The move was so unexpected that it reportedly deeply annoyed Cristiano Ronaldo, who loved playing alongside him in Spain.
7. Antoine Griezmann to Atletico Madrid (2021)
After a disappointing time at Barcelona, Griezmann wanted to get back to a situation where he could get back to his best. To get the Frenchman's massive wages off their books, Barcelona facilitated a last-minute loan return to his former club, Atlético.
However, the deal entirely hinged on Atlético shipping Saúl Ñíguez to Chelse, and Barcelona replacing Griezmann with Luuk de Jong from Sevilla. All three deals barely crossed the finish line in the dying seconds.
6. Ashley Cole to Chelsea (2006)
If you play for any of the big London clubs, making the switch to one of your biggest rivals across the city is a big no-no. Especially the team you've been battling with for the previous two years for the title. Ashley Cole officially joined Chelsea while William Gallas and a reported £5 million went the other way to Arsenal.
The controversial exit came after it emerged that he had met with owners on a yacht to negotiate and almost crashed his car when he found out what wages Arsenal were willing to pay him. Lots of silverware later probably proved he made the right move for his career.
5. Dimitar Berbatov to Manchester United (2008)
This was a pure deadline-day tug-of-war between Manchester United and newly rich Manchester City. With City attempting a late hijack, Sir Alex Ferguson took matters into his own hands, personally meeting the Tottenham striker at the airport to seal the deal and force the move through.
Bolstering United's front line even more, it was a good move to secure an aging Berbatov before Tevez moved over to the sky blue side.
4. Ronaldo Nazario to Real Madrid (2002)
Fresh off winning the 2002 World Cup with Brazil, the legendary striker was locked in a tense contract standoff at Inter Milan. With just an hour remaining in the Spanish transfer window, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez agreed to a €46 million fee, landing the ultimate Galáctico in a move that completely shook up European football.
Probably one of the most entertaining teams to watch, the only disappointment was not lifting the Champions League.
3. Fernando Torres to Chelsea (2011)
A deadline day that triggered a historic domino effect. Chelsea broke the British transfer record by signing Fernando Torres for a staggering British record £50 million. In a miraculous turn of events, Liverpool immediately panicked and spent £35 million to lure Andy Carroll from Newcastle United.
Injuries and confidence issues harmed his time at Stamford Bridge. But that moment of rounding Victor Valdes to help Chelsea en route to winning the 2012 Champions League may have paid some of that money back.
2. Carlos Tevez & Javier Mascherano to West Ham (2006)
How did two of the best players Argentina have ever produced end up at relegation battling West Ham? Being owned by a third party, both players were convinced to join the Hammers over Europe's elite.
After the Hammers stayed up, Sheffield United sued for financial Fair Play and won compensation. But in the end, they were the difference in keeping West Ham up on the last day of the season at Old Trafford.
1. Robinho to Manchester City 2008
Without this transfer going through, Manchester City may not be the giants they are today. The day the landscape of English football changed forever. On the exact same day Sheikh Mansour's takeover of Manchester City was announced, the club hijacked Chelsea's move for Real Madrid star Robinho with a £32.5 million bid.
It was a pure statement of intent that signaled a seismic shift in the club's global ambitions. The deal happened so quickly in his press conference the Brazilian thought he'd joined Manchester United or Chelsea and was surprised at where he had ended up.
