Ronaldo tops English football deals on deadline day; Griezmann makes Atletico Madrid return from FC Barcelona; Chelsea sign on loan Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United return was the stand-out highlight on deadline day on Tuesday as the English transfer window closed.

His move from Juventus was teed-up on Friday.

Juventus had said then that Manchester United had agreed to pay $17.7 million for their former forward, with the deal potentially rising by a further $9.4 million.

The Red Devils said later the Portugal forward had signed a two-year contract with the option for a third.

His arrival meant Wales winger Daniel James headed from Manchester United to Leeds United —- two and a half years after a move from Swansea broke down.

Leeds United said he had signed a five-year contract.

Juventus have moved quickly to replace Ronaldo, bringing Everton’s Moise Kean back to the club on a two-year loan.

Juventus said the loan would be turned into a permanent deal subject to certain conditions being met over the course of the next two years.

The Toffees replaced Kean by bringing Salomon Rondon back to the
Premier League from Chinese club Dalian Professional on a free transfer.

The striker has signed a two-year contract with the option for a third season and the move sees him reunited with manager Rafael Benitez, who he worked under at Newcastle United.

Tottenham completed the signing of right-back Emerson Royal from FC Barcelona on a five-year deal and announced they have terminated the contract of defender Serge Aurier by mutual consent.

Across north London, Arsenal announced they have signed defender Takehiro Tomiyasu on a long-term deal from Bologna.

The Gunners have also sent Hector Bellerin and Reiss Nelson out on season-long
loans to Real Betis and Feyenoord respectively.

West Ham have strengthened their squad ahead of a busy season which will take in Europa League action, with the signing of Croatia forward Nikola Vlasic.

The 23-year-old —- known to Premier League fans for a short stint at Everton —- has 26 caps and six goals for his country.

He joins from CSKA Moscow, having been named Russian Premier League player of
the year in 2020.

Across London, Crystal Palace completed the signing of forward Odsonne Edouard from Celtic.

Newcastle United meanwhile brought in Mexican striker Santiago Munoz.

The U.S-born 19-year-old has joined the Magpies from Santos Laguna on an initial 18-month loan deal with an option to make the move permanent.

But it is a story which bears an uncanny resemblance to the plot of the film “Goal!”.

Brighton have signed Getafe left-back Marc Cucurella.

The 23-year-old has become Brighton’s third window signing, following Enock Mwepu and Kjell Scherpen through the doors at the Amex Stadium.

Burnley announced the signing of Wales full-back Connor Roberts from Swansea, the 25-year-old joining on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Leicester City midfielder Dennis Praet will meanwhile spend the rest of the season on loan at Serie A side Torino.

The English FA Cup winners took Ademola Lookman on loan from RB Leipzig.
Meanwhile, Antoine Griezmann has rejoined Atletico Madrid from FC Barcelona on loan, just two years after leaving the Wanda Metropolitano.

Atletico Madrid sold France striker Griezmann to Barca for 120 million euros ($140 million) in 2019, yet he has never managed to recapture his best form at Camp Nou.

Lionel Messi’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) earlier in August might have given Griezmann the opportunity to take centre stage.

But the 30-year-old received flak from the Barca fans as Ronald Koeman’s side —— inspired by Memphis Depay —— laboured to a win over Getafe last weekend.

Koeman defended Griezmann, saying: “I don’t like it when a Barca player is whistled. Someone who works like Antoine can never be criticised.

“All the attackers can have their days, but there are games where you can’t find the space. We haven’t created opportunities for him either.”

However, LaLiga champions Atletico Madrid —— who were linked with their former talisman last month —— have now brought Griezmann back to the Spanish capital.

Griezmann has signed on loan for 2021/2022, with the deal including the option for either club to extend it for a further year.

FC Barcelona also announced there is a compulsory permanent transfer clause.

While his exit will go towards easing Barca’s financial difficulties, Atletico Madrid are bolstering an attack that already features Luis Suarez, Joao Felix and Angel Correa.

They also have as well another new recruit in Matheus Cunha.

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo suggested last month that fans would not forgive Griezmann for how he left for FC Barcelona.

FC Barcelona had reportedly been open to offers for the forward for some time, which could have potentially allowed them to retain Messi.
Also, Chelsea completed the signing of Atletico Madrid midfielder, Saul Niguez, on loan for the remainder of the season.

The European champions were successful with a late move for Saul on deadline day.

They reportedly have an option to buy for £30 million ($41 million), after paying an initial loan fee of £5 million.

Saul had been linked with Manchester United and Liverpool previously, but will get his first experience of playing in the English Premier League (EPL) for the Blues.

The 26-year-old was part of Atletico Madrid’s title-winning side in LaLiga last season.

But Diego Simeone refused to rule out the prospect of the player leaving after a 2-2 draw with Villarreal on Sunday.

Saul is contracted to the reigning Spanish champions until 2026 but may have played his last game for the club.

“I am very excited to start this new challenge with Chelsea. Blues fans, I am one of you now and I can’t wait to wear the shirt, start training and see all of you. See you soon!” Saul said.

Saul’s arrival comes after Chelsea paid out a club-record fee to bring Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge from Inter Milan earlier in the same transfer window.

Club director Marina Granovskaia said of the latest recruit: “We welcome Saul to the club and believe he completes our squad as we compete for honours in five different competitions this season.

“He is a proven winner, a player with huge experience and we know he will be very well-suited to the challenges that face us on all fronts in the coming year.”

A box-to-box midfielder, Saul is at his best operating in a central role, though his versatility and work-rate has often seen him deployed out wide by Simeone.

He made only 22 league starts last season, his lowest figure since 2014/2015.

This perhaps explains why he ranked only fourth in the Atletico Madrid squad for attempted tackles in the top tier, with 57.

However, since August 2019, only Real Madrid’s Casemiro (190) had attempted more tackles by a midfielder than Saul (159) in LaLiga.

The Spaniard is a proven goal threat too, with his best tally of six coming in 2019/2020.

When compared to Chelsea’s current crop of midfielders, only Jorginho, who takes penalty kicks, has matched or beaten Saul’s scoring record.

Chelsea were also believed to be keen to sign Jules Kounde from LaLiga as well, though a deal for the Sevilla centre-back failed to materialise.

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