BERN — The amount of money spent on international transfers in the window which closed on Monday dropped by more than 30 percent compared to the corresponding period last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, global soccer body FIFA said in a report on Friday.
FIFA announced that a total of $3.92 billion was spent by clubs worldwide between June 1 and Oct. 5 in the transfer window this year, compared to $5.8 billion a year ago.
Manchester United and France midfielder Paul Pogba said he would love to play for Real Madrid one day but for now his focus is on helping his club side improve on their poor start to the Premier League season.
The 27-year-old World Cup winner admitted in 2019 that he wanted to leave United but no major offers came in for him and he spent most of last season sidelined with injuries.
As the transfer window slammed shut on Monday, two former England internationals were left stuck outside in the cold.
Ex-Manchester United and Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck and former Gunner Jack Wilshere ended the trading period without clubs after their contracts were terminated.
Welbeck was released by Watford after their relegation from the Premier League left them looking to cut their wage bill. Media reports said the 29-year-old, who has suffered a series of injuries in his career, was earning $130,000 a week at the club.
Manchester United made four signings on transfer deadline day, including Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani while European champions Bayern Munich strengthened with two new arrivals. But the biggest single move of the final day of deal-making was midfielder Thomas Partey making a $58.46 million switch from Atletico Madrid to Arsenal.
United signed Cavani on a free transfer, Brazilian left back Alex Telles from Porto, Uruguayan 18-year-old winger Facundo Pellistri and reached an agreement to sign Atalanta's teenage winger Amad Diallo.
Manchester United has agreed a two-year deal with former Paris St Germain striker Edinson Cavani, French daily L'Equipe reported on Saturday.
Uruguay international Cavani is a free agent having left Ligue 1 champions PSG at the end of his contract in June.
Man United are in discussions with Edinson Cavani, according to @RobDawsonESPN. pic.twitter.com/skOCe6H78Z
Sheffield United has signed Liverpool's 20-year-old striker Rhian Brewster on a five-year deal in a club-record deal, the Premier League outfit said on Friday.
United did not disclose the transfer fee but British media said it paid 23.5 million pounds ($30.40 million) for the England Under-21 international.
Rhian Brewster is a Blade. pic.twitter.com/rqrIZMHB5b
New Barcelona signing Sergino Dest said he "followed his heart" by turning down a move to European Champions Bayern Munich in favour of the Catalan side.
Dest became the first United States international to join Barca on Thursday, signing from Ajax Amsterdam on a long-term contract at the Camp Nou.
Barcelona have completed the signing of United States full back Sergiño Dest from Ajax for $24.70 million plus five more in variables, the LaLiga side said on Thursday.
Barca's statement added that Dest, 19, had agreed to sign a five-year contract with a release clause of $470 million. Dest, who broke into Ajax's first team from their academy last season and has played three times for the U.S., will be officially presented on Friday.
In what is perhaps one of the most surprising transfer developments of the week, Aston Villa completed the season-long loan signing of Ross Barkley from Chelsea on Wednesday.
Morning, Villans.
Welcome to Aston Villa, @RBarkley8!