Players on the move: Join Razeen Gutta for a roundup of all the biggest deadline day deals taking place around South Africa and Europe.
On the final day of the January transfer window, Chelsea managed to break the British record, signing Enzo Fernadez at the final hour.
As the first names on the team sheets, few would have expected Manchester City and Chelsea to allow Joao Cancelo and Jorginho to leave — but such is the transfer market, and those are just two of the big deadline day departures.
Europe
Chelsea had been chasing World Cup winner Fernandez throughout the transfer window and at the final hour, they finally got their man for £107 million (R1.8 billion).
The 22-year-old midfielder refused to take part in Benfica’s fixture on Tuesday night in an attempt to force the deal through.
As the clock struck midnight Benfica released a statement confirming that they had agreed a deal with Chelsea for the talented youngster.
We begin in London, and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will be proud to have got the signature of a rival’s midfielder for just £10 million (R200 million).
Having had only six months left on his Chelsea deal, Italian star man Jorginho has signed a one year contract with the Gunners. The deal includes an option to extend up to 2025.
While the Premier League leaders strengthen, the current champions Manchester City have lost one of their biggest names.
Cancelo has had a difficult few weeks in Manchester and has opted to sign a loan deal with Bayern Munich. The Germans will have an option to buy the defender once his loan spell comes to an end.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Pedro Porro has signed a five-and-a-half year deal with Tottenham Hotspur after completing a move from Sporting CP.
Leeds United have announced new signing Weston McKennie. The United States international joins from Juventus on an initial loan with an option to buy.
South Africa
In local news, Swallows have completed the signing of Nigeria goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, according to iDiski Times.
The former Chiefs man has been training with his new club for quite some time but was only able to make the move now that Swallows’ transfer ban has been lifted.
Over in Soweto, Orlando Pirates have confirmed the signing of Makhehlene Makhaula from AmaZulu. The move has been rumoured for quite some time and has now been announced by both parties.
One outgoing for the Bucs is Zakhele Lepasa. The striker will join Gavin Hunt and Supersport United on a loan deal until the end of the season, becoming the second Pirates attacker to be sent on loan after Kwame Peprah signed for Maritzburg.
Pictured above: Enzo Fernandez
Image source: @FabrizioRomano
