European soccer's transfer deadline day is one of the most exciting days of the year, but it's also a chaotic and extremely unpredictable day. With clubs showing desperation to sign their transfer targets, the transfer deadline day makes every hour crucial and subject to breaking news, leaving fans at the edge of their social media seats to see the latest Fabrizio Romano or David Ornstein updates regarding their club.
This year's end to the transfer window was no exception, and after what was one of the most surprising summers of recent times, deadline day gave us plenty of world-class players making the move to some of the biggest clubs and leagues in Europe.
Here's a look at the 10 best transfers completed on deadline day 2023.
The 10 best transfers made on Deadline Day 2023
10. Mason Greenwood - Getafe (loan)
The Manchester United youngster is back playing soccer. After being separated from all club participation following a controversial domestic abuse court case involving his ex girlfriend, Mason Greenwood will leave the Premier League and play in LaLiga. Despite not playing a professional match since January 2022, the 21-year-old’s signing for the Azulones is one of the most interesting transfers from this window. Interesting or not, though, the signing has already caused a great upset amongst fans on social media that believe the former Red Devil should have not been given a second chance. We will see if the former England international’s performances make up for any of the havoc created along the way.
9. Sergio Reguillon - Manchester United (loan)
The former Real Madrid man has arrived on loan to Old Trafford. A frustrating transfer window for Manchester United trying to find the key pieces missing for Erik ten Hag sent the Red Devils into deadline day with the clock ticking and Sergio Reguillón became their last-minute savior. The Spaniard is coming to Manchester in hopes of finally becoming the regular and consistently healthy left-back the club has been missing since the likes of Patrice Evra. Although the 26-year-old is arriving on loan for the 2023-24 season, it’s no secret that with a successful season, the still Spurs player will likely be offered a chance to stay on a permanent deal.
8. Ryan Gravenberch - Liverpool
“Finally a good Dutch player [in Liverpool]!” At least that’s what Andy Robertson had to say about Ryan Gravenberch’s transfer to Liverpool for $40 million. The 21-year-old is trading the Bundesliga for the Premier League and joining the eccentric and young Anfield midfield. After having a pair of fantastic seasons for Ajax in the Eredivisie, Gravenberch made the move to German giant Bayern Munich, though without being much of a protagonist for the Mia San Mia. In light of his lackluster debut season in Germany, a last-minute opportunity for the Dutchman to join his compatriots Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo in the Premier League seemed like a no-brainer.
7. Cole Palmer - Chelsea
The Citizen’s wonder boy is a new Chelsea signing. The 21-year-old England international became the Blues’ last signing in their busy summer transfer window, recruiting the Manchester City academy player in a deal potentially worth over $50 million. Despite having only made 19 appearances for the Sky Blues in three years, the young Brit’s transfer to London has become one of the most interesting deals of the summer. Will he stand out in a Chelsea pool full of exciting young talent? We will only have to see.
6. Matheus Nunes - Manchester City
Another $50 million midfield variant for the Sky Blues. In what was a surprising last-minute move from the Citizens, Wolves player Matheus Nunes made the move to Manchester City for $53 million on the last day of the transfer window. The Brazilian-born Portuguese had become one of the most exciting players in the Premier League out of the ‘Big 6’ and after only playing one season at Wolverhampton, the Portugal international’s performances were enough to catch the eye of manager Pep Guardiola. He will be playing alongside national team compatriots Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva.
5. Ansu Fati - Brighton (loan)
The former Barcelona No. 10 has made a surprising move to the Premier League. Ansu Fati had become perhaps the most promising player in the world in the Camp Nou, and a set of detrimental knee injuries in the last couple of seasons have set the Spaniard back into stardom uncertainty. In what was probably a deal meant to lay off some of the extreme pressures of becoming the heir to Lionel Messi’s number 10 at Barça, while also to help with the signing of some of the Culé transfers made this window, Fati will now be under the instructions of Roberto De Zerbi in an exciting and young Brighton squad.
4. João Cancelo - FC Barcelona (loan)
Barça have got their right-back. After a long negotiation process throughout the summer window, João Cancelo became an FC Barcelona player on deadline day. The Portuguese full-back is coming off of a frustrating 2022-23 season where, after not having much playing time under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, a forced move to Bayern Munich in the January transfer window became much of the same. Now, with the Culés having little, to no depth in the right-back position, Cancelo comes to the Camp Nou to solve all problems and he’ll surely do the most to show he’s still one of the best players in his position in the world.
3. Sofyan Amrabat - Manchester United (loan)
The Morocco World Cup star will be playing at Old Trafford. After a tough negotiation process between clubs, the still Fiorentina man will be playing for Manchester United on loan for the 2023-24 season. The defensive midfielder was reportedly Erik ten Hag’s priority signing heading into the end of the transfer window, and an “eager-to-join” Amrabat — going as far as rejecting deals from Saudi Arabia and other clubs around Eruope — helped the deal come together. The Moroccan had a marvelous participation with his country in the 2022 World Cup following with a historic European cup run with Fiorentina in the 2022-23 season and he will be looking to turn Manchester United’s midfield into one of the best in the Premier League.
2. João Félix - FC Barcelona (loan)
João has fulfilled his dream. One of the most exciting wingers in the world has arrived in Catalunya and that alone is enough to turn Barcelona’s starting XI into a scary one. After not finding a spot at Chelsea following his 2022-23 loan from Atletico Madrid, João Félix was keen on making a move away from Diego Simeone’s defensive tactics this season and for the Portuguese, playing at the Camp Nou was his only real wish. The 23-year-old arrived in pair with compatriot João Cancelo, and while both are to play in loan deals with no option to stay at the club, they are both expected to make due with their qualities.
1. Randal Kolo Muani - PSG
The French striker is a million dollar man. Kolo Muani became a PSG player on deadline day after the club paid a whopping $90 million to sign the 24-year-old from Frankfurt. Coming off of an amazing 2022-23 season where he managed to score 15 goals and provide 14 assists, the World Cup runner-up will be back playing in his home country. Following the exits of Lionel Messi to Inter Miami and Neymar to Al-Hilal, the Frenchman will have the duty to supply and help Kylian Mbappé in leading the attack for the Ligue 1 champions.
