Five talking points from the summer transfer window

The summer transfer window has finally slammed shut for European clubs following a dramatic deadline day.

We reflect on five talking points from what has been a remarkable period of wheeling and dealing.

Saudi splurge

The lavish spending of Saudi Arabia's Pro League clubs has shaken the global transfer market to its very core.

A movement which began with luring Cristiano Ronaldo to Al-Nassr nine months ago, plenty of football's biggest stars have now followed the Portuguese icon to the Middle East.

With their eye-watering financial power, Saudi clubs have already signed 12 established Premier League professionals along with many others from across Europe's top leagues. 

And there may still be more to come — the Pro League's window does not close until Thursday, September 7.

Record breakers

Premier League clubs have not let the Saudi Arabian emergence slow their own spending, however.

According to financial services firm Deloitte, England's 20 top-flight clubs spent £2.36billion on new arrivals this summer — £440million more than the previous record total racked up 12 months earlier.

That figure means Premier League clubs were responsible for 48% of the spending across Europe's top five divisions, with 13 of the league's completed deals valued at north of £50m.

A whopping 14 sides spent more than they did the previous summer.

Boehly's big spenders

Chelsea once again dominated the transfer headlines under the watchful eye of big-spending co-owner Todd Boehly.

The American businessman has now paid out around £1bn on new faces across the last three transfer windows, with 10 new arrivals checking into Stamford Bridge this summer for a reported £380m.

However, a flash sale did at least help balance the books somewhat with Kai Kavertz, Mason Mount and Edouard Mendy among those heading for the exit.

The pressure is now on Mauricio Pochettino to get the Blues back challenging on all fronts quickly.

Near misses

As with every transfer window, some of the most talked about moves of the summer did not materialise.

Kylian Mbappe appeared for all the world to be leaving Paris Saint-Germain but although a £259m bid from Al-Hilal was accepted by the Ligue 1 giants, the Frenchman opted to stay put.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah was the subject of a £150m approach from Al-Ittihad on deadline day. For the moment though, it appears Liverpool have no intention of letting their talisman leave Anfield. 

Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha saw a last-minute dream move to Bayern Munich collapse, which had ramifications for several other potential deals as well.

Lions on the prowl

With Euro 2024 on the horizon, some of England's biggest stars have opted to make career-defining transfers.

Three Lions skipper Harry Kane finally left his boyhood club Tottenham for Bayern Munich and has made a hot start to life in Germany with three goals in his first two Bundesliga outings.

But Jude Bellingham can even trump that — the 20-year-old midfield sensation has four goals in his first three games for the mighty Real Madrid, having joined Los Blancos from Borussia Dortmund for £88m.

And while goalscoring is not his forte, former West Ham skipper Declan Rice is already looking a cut above in Arsenal's midfield.