Property mogul Ross Pelligra has been confirmed as Perth Glory’s new owner.
The Melbourne multi-millionaire – who also owns Italian third division club Catania as well as baseball, basketball and ice hockey teams in Adelaide and Canberra – intends to re-establish the Glory as “a benchmark club of Australian football”.
The Pelligra Group will reportedly pledge $4 million per year to the Glory, who have been funded by the financially embattled Australian Professional Leagues since former owner and chairman Tony Sage was stripped of the club’s licence in July last year.
“Sport is a great passion of mine and over the years I have invested in other sporting clubs in Australia and in Italy,” Pelligra said.
“I have seen how integral a sporting club can be to a community. It can have a powerful, unifying impact and that is what we are here to achieve in Perth.
“There are three key pillars we need to focus on in the first phase of our tenure – reconnect, drive success and create long term sustainability.
“We have learned from our previous experiences with other sporting franchises, but every team is different, every city is different and it is important we listen and learn.
“We want (the Glory) to be the envy of every other A-League club, just like it was when it was first founded.”
Ross Pelligra is Perth Glory’s new owner. Picture Matt Turner.Source: News Corp Australia
Pelligra had previously tried to take charge of the Glory, but Melbourne property developer Robert Brij was the preferred option until APL-appointed receivers KordaMentha pulled the plug on the deal in November due to “preconditions” not being met.
A-League commissioner Nick Garcia said an “incredible opportunity” existed for football in Western Australia with Pelligra’s purchase of the Glory.
“Ross is a successful business and football person, both locally and abroad and this experience and his passion for the world game is a great asset for Perth Glory and the A-League,” Garcia said.
“We believe that with this new ownership, the future of Perth Glory is in extremely safe hands and we look forward to seeing them deliver success both on and off the pitch.”
Pelligra has promised to meet with state and local governments, club members and fan groups to “further inform the strategy and future direction of the club”.
“One of our key priorities will be to establish a future permanent home for Perth Glory with state-of-the-art training and administration facilities,” he said.
Pelligra will be at HBF Park on Saturday night for the Glory’s match with Brisbane Roar.
Footballers’ wives have historically come under criticism but a new generation are keen to share the daily challenges of being a WAG.
Being the spouse of a Premier League footballer has its undoubted advantages but for many whose story is often overlooked, the journey provides its own demands.
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Ex-NFL Cheerleader Ash Herron married Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner in 2022Credit: @ashhhlynnne
With fixture schedules bustling and players required to travel more than ever before, wives are often pursuing their own career interests and social media profiles while supporting their superstar husbands.
The idea of a glitzy lifestyle in the public eye is not always the reality as one wife recently found out after suffering a nasty injury thanks to her husband’s teammate.
“I’ve got a broken nose right now because I went to a game and got hit in the nose,” Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner’s wife Ash told talkSPORT.
“It happened during the warm up. It was [Gonzalo] Montiel. I don’t think it’s glitz and glamour.”
Ash is set to star in a new Prime Video six-part documentary entitled ‘Married to the Game’ which showcases the lives of the wives and girlfriends of Premier League footballers during the summer transfer window.
Married to the Game provides viewers with a first-hand look at the lives football couples lead with relationship stress and huge life changes put under the microscope.
Speaking about her move from the United States to London when husband Matt signed for Arsenal in 2022, Ash claims the biggest step up from MLS, was the intensity that shrouds the Premier League.
“I don’t think I was necessarily prepared for the intensity of the Premier League. We came from MLS and obviously that’s not as high profile,” she added.
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The couple moved to the UK when Turner signed for Arsenal in 2022Credit: @ashhhlynnne
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Turner has earned 37 caps for the United StatesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“This league is just developed in people’s blood and it’s a beautiful thing. The pressure for the players and their families is something I don’t think you can prepare for.
“You have to just go through the journey and experience it and that’s where you really learn the ins and outs of everything.
Danny Murphy reveals jaw-dropping tale on how a teammate’s wife stirred up trouble at Liverpool
“We moved over to Arsenal when I was eight months pregnant and I had to move before Matt finished up his season. I came to the country without a place to live.
“It’s definitely different but I wouldn’t trade it for the world because I feel like Matt and I have grown closer for this experience.
“It doesn’t make things easier not being able to have your family next door to call on and we’re grateful we have a very supportive family but that was definitely difficult.”
Married to the Game launches on Prime Video on February 23 and follows the lives of Turner, Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez, James Tarkowski and Jorginho.
Arsenal ended a barren run on the road as goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 to close to within two points of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
But there was some late drama for the Gunners after Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White had to be separated following a full-time altercation.
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta was seen trying to calm down Zinchenko and later explained to TNT Sports that the pair were arguing over the late goal the Gunners conceded.
“That’s pushing each other and being not happy conceding and I have to encourage that and promote it in the right way and a respectful way,” Arteta said.
“Sometimes after the game it’s emotional and heated but I love that the players are pushing each other and demanding excellence.”
“I love it. They are demanding more,” Arteta added in the post-game press conference.
“They are just trying to resolve it. Playing the way we played the result has to be bigger.”
Arteta tried to calm down Zinchenko. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Goals from Jesus and Saka maintained the Gunners’ title push at the City Ground ahead of their clash at home to leaders Liverpool on Monday [AEDT].
The visitors struggled to make their dominance of possession count until 25 minutes from time when Jesus’ effort from a narrow angle sneaked between the legs of former Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner.
Saka then fired home his 10th goal of the season from Jesus’ cross. Substitute Taiwo Awoniyi set up a grandstand finish when he outmuscled William Saliba to slot home on 89 minutes.
But it was too little, too late for Forest who slip to within two points of the relegation zone and with the threat of a points deduction hanging over the club for breaching the Premier League’s financial rules.
‘So we can’t win the league…?’ | 01:32
NEWCASTLE END LOSING SKID WITH WIN OVER VILLA
Villa failed to join Arsenal on 46 points after losing at home in the league for the first time since February last year.
Unai Emery’s men had won 16 of their 17 Premier League games at Villa Park since, but gave themselves a mountain to climb as Newcastle centre-back Fabian Schar scored twice from corners in the first half.
Newcastle had the second worst away record in the league before kick-off, but were cruising towards their first victory on the road since September when Alex Moreno turned into his own net under pressure from Jacob Murphy.
Bruno Guimaraes celebrates victory at full-time. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Ollie Watkins reduced the arrears with his first goal for seven games and then had a second ruled out for offside.
But Villa are now looking over their shoulders in the race for a place in next season’s Champions League as Tottenham can leapfrog them into fourth with victory over Brentford on Wednesday.
‘OH MY WORD’: STUNNING MISS FOR EVERTON
Elsewhere, Everton dropped into the relegation zone after failing to take their chances in a 0-0 draw at Fulham.
That included a few blunders from Beto late in the game, first sending a header over the bar before then missing a kick off a corner, only to then get in the way of Ben Godfrey as he tried to send the ball into the nets.
“Oh my word. What a miss from Beto. I can’t believe what I’ve just seen,” Sky Sports’ Ben Grounds said at Craven Cottage of the header.
Beto could not believe it.Source: FOX SPORTS
Luton climbed out of the bottom three thanks to a stunning 4-0 win over Brighton as Elijah Adebayo scored a hat-trick.
Adebayo nodded in the opener after just 18 seconds and the Hatters were 2-0 up inside three minutes when Chiedozie Ogbene beat Jason Steele to a long pass over the top to walk the ball into an empty net.
Klopp on VVD and Mo Salah future | 00:53
Adebayo calmly slotted in at Steele’s near post to make it 3-0 before the break and completed his hat-trick 11 minutes into the second half.
Crystal Palace eased fears they could be dragged into a battle for survival by twice coming from behind to beat bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United 3-2.
Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise were unsurprisingly the star men as the Eagles secured just a second win in 13 games.
Twice Olise teed up Eze for stunning finishes in the first half before Olise scored the winner after the break to life Palace up to 14th.
Ben Brereton Diaz and James McAtee were on target for the Blades, but they are now nine points adrift of safety.
Authorities found Laybutt’s body in bushland on January 14. He had been visiting friends in Casuarina, in northern NSW.
More details have now emerged about his final days with one friend speaking out about the “chilling” final message he sent before friends filed a missing persons report on January 13 when they were unable to make contact with him.
The friend said Laybutt wrote “adios” on his Facebook page the morning he disappeared.
He said close friends knew about Laybutt’s battles with depression and mental health.
According to the friend, those close to Laybutt did reach out to help, but he only responded to a few of them. The same friend said those select few were told it was too late to help him.
“There was an appreciation that he was struggling and some of us wonder if we could have had that extra conversation… everyone is living with that guilt,” he said.
Stephen Laybutt of the Olyroos in action. Credit: Matt Turner/ALLSPORTSource: Getty ImagesStephen Laybutt in a match against Kuwait. Credit: Robert Cianflone/ALLSPORTSource: Getty Images
“Personally, think he made up his mind a long time ago.”
“Nobody knew. It takes a fair bit of effort to hide like that,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald in 2021. “Just lying to yourself all the time. That breaks you, and you head down a path of self-destruction.”
At the time, he recalled how he had “spiralled out of control” afterwards because he thought everything would get easier once he was honest about who he was. Things drastically improved for the sports star when he met his partner, Michael Lutteral, in 2010.
Former Socceroo Stephen Laybutt was found dead over the weekend, and police are reportedly treating his death as a suicide. Photo from Facebook / Newcastle United Jets Supporters Group.Source: Supplied
The 46-year-old played 15 matches for the Socceroos between 2000 and 2004 while he also played for the Olyroos at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Laybutt made his domestic football debut in 1995 and went on to play at clubs in Australia and abroad, including in Japan, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Laybutt was known for his charitable endeavours, and made headlines in 2021 when he selflessly donated his kidney to a man on dialysis he had met while working at the rehabilitation unit at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney.
He contacted patient Ian Pavey via text message with the offer to save his life.
“Hey mate it’s Steve from St Vincent’s,” the message said according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I want to investigate if I could give you a kidney. Consider it please.”
Laybutt had been helping the 67-year-old recover from a knee operation and said he made the incredible offer because he “liked his attitude”.
“He was always positive. I thought, ‘I should help this guy’. People have asked me what the thought process was behind it. I just thought it was the right thing to do,” he said at the time.
Meanwhile, Football Australia CEO James Johnson said Laybutt’s dedication to the sport will be fondly remembered by everyone who knew him.
The soccer legend struggled for years to keep his sexuality hidden from both his teammates and the rest of the world. Picture from Facebook.Source: News Corp Australia
“Stephen’s journey from domestic leagues to the international stage exemplified dedication, skill, and the spirit of Australian football,” Mr Johnson said.
“His contributions to the Socceroos, especially during the OFC Nations Cup victories and the Sydney 2000 Olympics, have left a lasting legacy in our football community.
“We remember Stephen not just for his accomplishments on the field but also for his character and the positive influence he had on those around him.
“He will forever be remembered as part of the Socceroos family and will be deeply missed.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Tottenham bolstered their renewed bid for a top-four place in the Premier League as Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski netted in a 2-0 win against struggling Nottingham Forest on Friday.
Richarlison put Ange Postecoglou’s side ahead late in the first half and Kulusevski struck after the break at the City Ground.
Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma was sent off for a dangerous tackle with 20 minutes left, but the visitors held on for their second successive victory.
His second red card of the season was Spurs’ fourth in total this campaign, and he’ll now be banned for four games. Meanwhile, Spurs’ injury crisis hit a new low when Brennan Johnson was substituted off with a suspected concussion after a nasty head knock.
The north Londoners are level on points with fourth-placed Manchester City, who host Crystal Palace in their game in hand on Saturday.
After winning for the first time in six league games last weekend when they crushed Newcastle, Tottenham’s confident display offered more evidence they have emerged from their autumn swoon.
In contrast, Forest are winless in their last six games and have managed just one victory in 13 matches as the pressure mounts on boss Steve Cooper.
Forest sit five points above the relegation zone, but that gap could dwindle depending on the results of their fellow strugglers this weekend.
Tottenham forward Brennan Johnson was constantly jeered on his first return to Forest since his close-season transfer.
Johnson’s miscued cross drew an especially sarcastic cheer from the Forest fans before he nearly silenced his tormentors with a poked effort that drew a good save from Matt Turner.
The Wales international’s evening ended in pain after 32 minutes as he was forced off with blood pouring from a head wound, a worrying sight that finally prompted a sympathetic round of applause from the stands.
Tottenham forward Son Heung-min was subjected to some crunching tackles as Forest tried to rattle him, but the South Korean was unfazed, whipping in a cross that Pedro Porro headed wide.
Tottenham were dominating possession and they finished with a flourish in first-half stoppage time.
Kulusevski’s inswinging cross picked out Richarlison and, cleverly drifting away from his marker, the Brazilian rose to head home from five yards.
It was Richarlison’s third goal in his last two games after he had gone nearly three months without scoring.
A sickening tackle earned a deserved red card.Source: Supplied
Willy Boly squandered a golden opportunity to equaliser early in the second half when the unmarked Forest defender fired over from close-range.
That was a the signal for a period of sustained Forest pressure, with Guglielmo Vicario sprawling to repel Gibbs-White’s drive.
Forest thought they had equalised when Anthony Elanga slotted home in the 58th minute, but the goal was disallowed by VAR for off-side against the former Manchester United forward.
Reinvigorated by that escape, Tottenham doubled their lead in the 65th minute thanks to Turner’s catastrophe.
The Forest keeper’s weak clearance only reached Kulusevski and he danced into the area before drilling a powerful shot that beat Turner’s limp attempted save at the near post.
Bissouma saw red in the 70th minute, dismissed for a high tackle on Ryan Yates after Australian referee Jarred Gillett was advised to consult the pitchside monitor.
Liverpool top Europa group despite loss | 00:55
Postecoglou said of the latest red card: “It’s been a little bit of an issue. It’s a fine line with those things.”
He added: “We’ve had to deal with that a few times this year. You can’t go on doing that because eventually you’ll pay a price for it, and we did against Chelsea. It’s something we talk about constantly but it’s a fine line between their commitment to what we’re trying to do and not overstepping the mark.
“We lose [Bissouma, until after AFCON], we lose Udogie, I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be that kind of season for us. We’re not going to get a smooth run at anything. But that’s alright, it’s building resilience in the group.
“We’ve got plenty of reasons to make excuses, we haven’t. We’ve gone through a rough trot, we’ve still got some tough games coming up. I think when you get through these periods and you’re steadfast in what you’re trying to do you come out stronger, provided you maintain belief.”
Forest pressed in vain in the closing stages, with Neco Williams’ deflected effort flashing just wide for a corner that forced Vicario to make a superb save from Harry Toffolo’s header.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank bemoaned his side’s inability to hold onto the lead when a man up after a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest on Monday (AEDT).
The Bees looked set for their first league win in five games after Moussa Niakhate was sent off and Christian Norgaard headed in the resulting free-kick.
But Forest fought back despite their numerical disadvantage thanks to Nicolas Dominguez’s looping header on his home debut.
A share of the spoils keeps Forest one point ahead of Brentford in 11th and 13th respectively in the Premier League table.
Brentford have now dropped eight points from winning positions in their opening seven games of the campaign.
“We are just in that spell where we can’t get over the line in terms of winning the games. It’s a game we clearly should have won,” said Frank.
“We can’t keep the ball out of the net when it’s 11 against 10. That’s an unbelievable finish that’ll happen one in 100.” Forest nearly got off to a flying start when Taiwo Awoniyi turned home a corner at the back post, but he was rightly flagged offside.
Brentford have struggled in the absence of suspended striker Ivan Toney due to breaches of betting regulations.
But the visitors were nearly gifted the opening goal by Forest ‘keeper Matt Turner.
The former Arsenal stopper was caught in possession by Yoane Wissa and bailed out by a goal-line clearance by Willy Boly.
Premier League great Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was left shocked a penalty was not awarded for the incident.
“How is that not a penalty?” Hasselbaink told Sky Sports.
“I’m bemused. This is a penalty. A hundred, million per cent. No discussion.”
Forest’s luck looked like it had run out when Niakhate was shown a second yellow card for catching Wissa 11 minutes into the second half.
Norgaard then headed home Mathias Jensen’s cross to put Brentford in front. The lead lasted just seven minutes as Dominguez headed in Harry Toffolo’s cross. Forest then saw out 13 minutes of added time to cling on to what could be a vital point in securing another season of Premier League football.
“We didn’t start the second half well and there were lots of individual mistakes which led to the free-kick and the Brentford goal,” said Forest boss Steve Cooper.
“Then it’s a different game. You’re 1-0 down with 10 men but to think that we got back in the game, got the result and seen it out, it ends up being a much better point for us than for Brentford.”
The Premier League transfer window closed on Saturday morning after 28 signings on deadline day, bringing to a close a record-breaking window with a total spending over £2 billion ($AUD3.8 billion) for the first time.
Chelsea went on a spending spree once again, and they weren’t the only team to make big moves in the market. But other clubs lost some of their biggest stars and struggled to replace them – and others made barely any transfers at all.
Foxsports.com.au rates every Premier League team’s summer dealings in our Transfer Report Card!
Biggest signing: Declan Rice ($195m from West Ham United)
Biggest exit: Folarin Balogun ($50m to Monaco)
Total spent: $395m
Having come agonisingly close to winning the Premier League last season, Arsenal have loosened the pursestrings and then some this summer.
The biggest of the four arrivals at the Emirates is undoubtedly former West Ham United captain Declan Rice, who joined for a staggering $195 million.
Rice has played in each of Arsenal’s three Premier League games as their holding midfielder in a unit of three alongside fellow summer signing Kai Havertz and captain Martin Odegaard.
The arrival of Rice addressed the glaring issue of depth in the defensive midfield given the over-reliance on Thomas Partey last season.
Havertz’s signing was a curious one given he has often flattered to deceive throughout his time at Chelsea, as was goalkeeper David Raya who moved on loan from Brentford.
Jurrien Timber’s move from Ajax was seen as a smart piece of business but he suffered a serious injury in the Gunners’ season opener against Nottingham Forest and faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines.
Arsenal have also done well to move on a number of players, recouping reasonable fees for Folarin Balogun and Granit Xhaka while American duo Matt Turner and Auston Trusty also departed.
Whether these additions will prove to be the tonic Arsenal needs to go one better in the title race remains to be seen, but they’ve certainly given themselves a significant chance.
Grade: A
Rice was the big signing Arsenal wanted. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Aston Villa
Biggest signing: Moussa Diaby ($92.5m from Bayer Leverkusen)
Biggest exit: Cameron Archer ($35m to Sheffield United)
Total spent: $156m
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery was clear in his instructions to his recruitment team: bring him players with European pedigree.
After all, the Midlands outfit have brought European nights back to Villa Park for the first time since the 2010/11 season after an impressive 7th-place finish last season.
Villa have certainly delivered on Emery’s request, bringing in Youri Tielemans and Pau Torres as well as Nicolo Zaniolo and Clement Lenglet on season-long loan deals.
But the most impressive piece of business has been the signing of winger Moussa Diaby, with his $92.5m fee breaking the club’s transfer record.
The tricky Frenchman has already dazzled in Villa’s opening games and has linked up well with Ollie Watkins up front.
Villa have also eased the burden of FFP by selling academy products Aaron Ramsey and Cameron Archer to Burnley and Sheffield United respectively.
The only fear among Villa fans is the worrying lack of depth in the squad, with Emery naming two goalkeepers on the bench for his side’s Premier League fixtures.
Grade: B+
Bournemouth
Biggest signing: Tyler Adams ($45m from Leeds United)
Biggest exit: Ben Pearson ($2.5m to Stoke City)
Total spent: $213m
Talk about flexing a newfound financial muscle.
Bournemouth were taken over by American businessman Bill Foley last December and held off significant spending until they had Premier League safety secured.
With that objective achieved and a new manager at the helm in Andoni Iraola, the Cherries have been incredibly active this summer and have brought in eight players all 26 or younger.
Alex Scott, nicknamed the ‘Guernsey Grealish’ and had plenty of admirers among the Premier League, is one of those eight but is yet to feature due to injury.
Bournemouth have also done well not to lose many players of value, although Jefferson Lerma’s switch to Crystal Palace on a free deal is a blow.
If there was to be any criticism of Bournemouth’s dealings it would be not adding competition for star striker Dominic Solanke, with Kieffer Moore not exactly the best backup option.
Whether their youth-heavy approach pays off or blows up in their face remains to be seen, but there can be no question Bournemouth have a better team than they did last season.
Grade: A-
West Ham continue impressive start | 01:20
Brentford
Biggest signing: Nathan Collins ($45m from Wolves)
Biggest exit: David Raya (loan to Arsenal)
Total spent: $107m
Brentford’s summer window has been dominated by the will-he-won’t-he saga of goalkeeper David Raya.
He was heavily linked with a move to Tottenham but it failed to materialise as Brentford refused to budge on their £40m valuation.
In the end, the Spaniard moved to Arsenal where he will battle it out with Aaron Ramsdale for the starting role.
Brentford prepared for Raya’s departure with the signing of Dutch goalkeeper Mark Flekken from Freiburg and he has looked the goods so far.
Thomas Frank’s side also addressed the club’s glaring need for a new centre-back, signing Nathan Collins from Wolves, and added a talented winger in Kevin Schade before a deadline-day loan move for Everton forward Neal Maupay.
A solid yet unspectacular transfer window from Brentford.
Grade: B
Brighton
Biggest signing: Joao Pedro ($57m from Watford)
Biggest exit: Moises Caicedo ($195m to Chelsea)
Total spent: $169m
Once billed as Barcelona’s replacement for Lionel Messi, Brighton made one of the more intriguing deals before the deadline by signing 20-year-old Spain international Ansu Fati on a loan move.
A string of injuries have played a role in Fati not being able to live up to his sky-high potential, but at just 20 years old the best is still ahead of him and now the versatile youngster will have a chance to revitalise his career at Brighton.
Tottenham was said to also have shown interest in Fati but the fact he opted to sign with Brighton says a lot about the club’s rising standing in the football world, having secured their first campaign in European football next season.
“This is a great deal for all of us,” Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi said.
“I am sure Ansu will help us to reach a new target and we can help him get back to the level he deserves to be.”
The signing of Ansu was not the only coup this transfer window for Brighton though, who have undergone quite the roster upheaval with Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and Robert Sanchez all departing.
What Brighton got in return for the trio though is quite staggering, receiving £175 million ($A341m) for the trio after paying just £11 million ($A21m) to sign them in the first place.
Just another shrewd piece of business from a team that clearly has a plan as it builds towards the future.
Fati headlines a long list of signings for Brighton, with Joao Pedro, Mahmoud Dahoud, Bart Verbruggen, Igor Julio, Carlos Baleba, Jacob Slater and James Milner all joining the Seagulls.
And they did all that while making a $144m profit.
Grade: A
Joao Pedro was snapped up by Brighton early in the window. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Burnley
Biggest signing: Zeki Amdouni ($30m from Basel)
Biggest exit: Wout Weghorst (loan to Hoffenheim)
Total spent: $186m
The Premier League newcomers didn’t waste any time splashing the cash in their bid to survive. They brought in Sheffield’s impressive midfielder Sander Berge and poached former Southampton player Nathan Redmond on a free transfer from Besiktas. Of the ten players they spent fees signing, the oldest was 25-year-old Berge, showing their focus on the long-term development of the squad. 22-year-old striker Zeki Amdouni was their biggest outlay, while 21-year-old playmaker Aaron Ramsey is a hugely talented midfielder from Aston Villa. Crucially, they held onto all of their key players from the promotion campaign, making just a couple of sales. They might not have gone for big names or superstars, but they recruited exceptionally and didn’t hold back in the transfer market, spending plenty of money on a balanced variety of players.
Grade: A-
Chelsea
Biggest signing: Moises Caicedo ($195m from Brighton)
Biggest exit: Kai Havertz ($126m to Arsenal)
Total spent: $775m
In three transfer windows, Chelsea have splurged one billion pounds. It’s a staggering amount of money, but this window was a little different to the last. Sure, they bought eight players who each cost over £20m, with their total outlay around £419m – more than coach Mauricio Pochettino spent in five whole years at Spurs. That included breaking the British transfer record for the second time in seven months to sign Moises Caicedo for a fee up to £115 million.
But equally crucial was offloading a number of stars – racking up £295m or $575m AUD in sales and loan fees. Besides Havertz, the long list of outgoing names included Mason Mount, Kepa, Mendy, Lukaku, Kante, Azpilicueta, Kovacic and Pulisic, helping them to balance their books and make room for a sweeping overhaul.
In Pochettino they have a coach with a very strong record of developing young players, and their focus on signing next-generation stars has seen the squad’s average age drop drastically in the last year (the oldest of their 11 signings is just 25). They beat Liverpool to the signings of Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, two extremely talented young guns, and there’s no doubt that their raft of signings have immense potential.
But for a club desperate to right the wrongs of last season, their focus on youth comes with significant risk. Inexperience at the top level and a fresh-faced side will mean it takes time to gel. Injuries to their attacking signings forced them back into the market late on, but in Manchester City’s Cole Palmer they landed another dangerous forward. They also kept a hold of Conor Gallagher, Trevoh Chalobah and Ian Maatsen despite plenty of interest.
It capped off a very good window for Chelsea in both directions – but one that might take a season or two to truly pay off.
Grade: A
Moises Caicedo arrived in a big money deal from Brighton. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Crystal Palace
Biggest signing: Matheus Franca ($33m from Flamengo)
Biggest exit: Wilfried Zaha (free to Galatasaray)
Total spent: $65m
The exit of talismanic Wilfried Zaha was a major blow, especially since he departed for free. You get the feeling Palace didn’t quite manage to replace him in what was a quiet window for the club. Teen playmaker Matheus Franca is a promising signing, while Jefferson Lerma adds value on a free deal from Bournemouth. Dean Henderson (from Man Utd) is a major upgrade between the sticks and was in hot demand, while Rob Holding from Arsenal was a deadline-day deal to bolster their defensive stocks. After Zaha’s exit, keeping a hold of Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise was vital, and they managed to see off the interest from around the league for both players. But coach Roy Hodgson said the squad was about three players lighter than he wanted – and he didn’t get the clinical striker or the fullback he wanted.
Grade: C
Everton
Biggest signing: Beto ($42m from Udinese)
Biggest exit: Moise Kean ($50m to Juventus)
Total spent: $68m
It’s hard to think of this window as anything other than a disaster. After scraping survival last season – again – it was clear that Everton needed reinforcements. That’s especially true after losing Anthony Gordon and Richarlison in back-to-back windows.
They got the striker they desperately needed, landing Beto from Udinese. But elsewhere? Crickets. Their only other permanent signing was a 19-year-old striker Chermiti for $21m, while they added Ashley Young on a free transfer and Arnaut Danjuma and Jack Harrison on loans.
The list of players they were linked to but couldn’t buy was damning. Wilfried Gnonto from Leeds, Harrison Reed, Kamaldeen Sulemana and Maxwell Cornet – all players that had reported Everton bids rejected on deadline day.
Meanwhile, they sold Alex Iwobi (Fulham) and Tom Cannon (Leicester) for a combined total nearing £30m on the final day, but didn’t spend a cent as the hours ticked by and the window slammed shut. Neal Maupay also went back to Brentford on a loan with an option to buy, while Everton couldn’t find a buyer for midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin for even £5m, so ended up terminating his contract on deadline day. Meanwhile, Demarai Gray could still leave to Saudi Arabia this week.
They needed depth in defence and midfield. They got none of it. With a squad that’s weaker than last season, avoiding relegation will be extremely difficult. At least they’re spending money on their new stadium, since it’s clearly not going towards transfers.
Grade: E
Everton boss Sean Dyche didn’t’ get the signings he would have wanted. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Fulham
Biggest signing: Alex Iwobi ($43m from Everton)
Biggest exit: Aleksandar Mitrovic ($87m to Al Hilal)
Total spent: $115m
It was a big overhaul for Fulham this window, though they made just one confirmed sale – star striker Mitrovic opting for a payday in Saudi Arabia. But they also made six free transfers, clearing plenty of space for arrivals. They opted to sign players with plenty of top-flight experience: Alex Iwobi from Everton on deadline day, Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore from Wolves, Timothy Castagne from Leicester. A gifted left-back in Fodé Ballo-Touré arrived extremely late on deadline day on loan from AC Milan with no option to buy. Effectively, Fulham upgraded the quality of their starting line-up, though they didn’t manage to add much depth. But their inability to sign a striker outside of Jimenez, who hasn’t got back to his best after a serious head injury, is a major concern. They’ll hope he can find his shooting boots again, and that their other forwards can pitch in with goals to help them stay up. Defender Tosin Adarabioyo had a move to Monaco fall through, while Joao Palhina had a deal with Bayern Munich collapse after he had travelled to Germany for a medical and even took photos with his new jersey!
Grade: C
Liverpool
Biggest signing: Dominik Szoboszlai ($117m from RB Leipzig)
Biggest exit: Fabinho ($79m to Al Ittihad)
Total spent: $287m
Liverpool was always expected to target midfield reinforcements this summer, although ahead of the transfer deadline it quickly became clear just how big a priority it would be.
That is what losing Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Naby Keita, Fabinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain does to you.
There were a few missed targets along the way, headlined by the failed pursuit for Caicedo as Chelsea broke the British transfer record to sign the 21-year-old from Brighton.
In the end though, Liverpool did end up addressing its glaring need in the midfield after signing Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, who Andy Robertson described as seamless fits at the club.
While Liverpool may have lost Fabinho after struggling to match the spending powers of Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, the Reds may have picked up a bargain in Wataru Endo.
“He is a late bloomer,” Klopp said of the 30-year-old, who Liverpool signed from Stuttgart for around 19 million euros.
He is a late bloomer in his career and he was definitely underestimated for a long time,” Klopp said.
“It is clear he has improved every year since he was on the proper football screen. On the pitch, he turns into a real monster.”
Klopp tipped Endo to have a “similar impact” to Milner, who joined Brighton as a free agent.
Liverpool was not finished there either, later signing Netherlands midfielder Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich before the deadline.
Speaking ahead of the deadline, Klopp said the team’s midfield is “completely new” after the summer signings which totalled £150 million.
“I think we have much more goal threat in midfield now but the workrate these guys put in, the stability they gave us was second-to-none and that is what we have to create as well,” Klopp added.
The Reds rejected a monster £150 million offer for Mohamed Salah to move to Saudi Arabia, but that country’s transfer window is still open for another few days. Al-Ittihad will reportedly return with a £200m bid – a staggering amount of money for anyone, let alone a 31-year-old – which will test Liverpool’s mettle. If they want to achieve a top four finish, they’ll need to keep the Egyptian superstar, especially with no chance to replace him with new signings now the Premier League window has slammed shut. Losing him could prove disastrous.
But with four new midfielders, Liverpool got the overhaul they badly needed – though it was 12 months too late.
Grade: A-
Szoboszlai is the big midfield signing Liverpool needed to make. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Luton Town
Biggest signing: Ryan Giles ($10m from Wolves)
Biggest exit: Luke Freeman (released)
Total spent: $38m
Luton’s remarkable rise throughout he divisions in recent years has been founded on a sustainable transfer policy founded on young and affordable players who can develop at the club (and potentially earn large fees if sold on). They didn’t throw that strategy out despite having more cash to play with after their promotion to the top flight. The six signings with disclosed transfer fees each cost less than six million euros. Ryan Giles from Wolves is one of the steals of the season at just €5.85m, while they brought back Marvelous Nakamba after a season on loan from Aston Villa – his permanent deal a very smart piece of business at just €2.9m. They added experience in the form of veteran keeper Tim Krul, and former Everton and Chelsea player Ross Barkley on a free transfer. There’s plenty of potential in their young signings, particularly former Manchester United academy product Tahith Chong. But their midfield stocks at times haven’t looked up to Premier League standard, and Luton were keen to add another, only for a loan move for Newcastle midfielder Isaac Hayden to collapse. The newcomers spent pennies compared to plenty of their rivals, and quite simply might not have the quality to stay up. You have to respect their dedication to the squad-building approach that has served them well for so long – but they might come to regret not splashing just a little more cash.
Grade: C
Manchester City
Biggest signing: Josko Gvardiol ($151m from RB Leipzig)
Biggest exit: Riyad Mahrez ($59m to Al Ahli)
Total spent: $403m
The champions have done it again. Pep Guardiola was sad to lose Mahrez to Saudi Arabia, the winger having been a key member of his multiple title-winning team. But they replaced him well with 21-year-old Jeremy Doku from Stade Rennais in France – a sensational dribbler with a particular ability to get to the byline and cut the ball back, which seems a perfect fit for Erling Haaland. They added Josko Gvardiol in a bid-money deal to boost their centre defence, allowing them to offload Aymeric Laporte to Saudi Arabia. Mateo Kovacic came from Chelsea to boost their midfield after Ilkay Gundogan’s exit, but when superstar Kevin de Bruyne went down with a serious injury they responded swiftly to poach 25-year-old Matheus Nunes from Wolves. Their elite squad didn’t need too much, but City opted for quality over quantity and were happy to let players go as well – with Cole Palmer off to Chelsea for a more than handy €47m, and Joao Cancelo (Barcelona, loan) and Benjamin Mendy (Lorient) also out the door.
Grade: A+
Manchester United
Biggest signing: Rasmus Hojlund ($126m from Atalanta)
Biggest exit: Anthony Elanga ($29m to Nottingham Forest)
Total spent: $345m
It was a solid window for United after a rocky start. There was chaos as veteran keeper David de Gea was not handed a new contract – despite all indications pointing to a new deal for the Spaniard. He departed and Andre Onana was brought in, before United made a big statement by bringing in Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount and striker Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund for big money. Then they finally got the ball-playing midfielder they desperately needed by landing Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat on deadline day – one of FOUR signings before the window closed. Amrabat starred for Morocco at the 2022 World Cup and should stop the Red Devils from being cut apart by opposition teams through the midfield channels. They added goalkeeper Altay Bayindir from Fenerbache, Tottenham left-back Sergio Reguilon on loan and free agent Jonny Evans on the final day, making it seven transfers in total and adding depth across the park.
Grade: B
Will Rasmus Hojlund be the Red Devils’ saviour up front? (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP)Source: AFP
Newcastle United
Biggest signing: Sandro Tonali ($107m from AC Milan)
Biggest exit: Allan Saint-Maximin ($45m to Al Ahli)
Total spent: $257m
Midfielder Sandro Tonali arrived early in the window from AC Milan for a club-record £55m, and Newcastle didn’t slow down there. They picked up winger Harvey Barnes (£39m from Leicester), and a pair of fullbacks in Tino Livramento (£36m from Southampton) and Lewis Hall (loan from Chelsea). There’s plenty of depth in the squad now, which will be needed as they return to the Champions League for the first time in two decades. A brutal group draw in that competition will sorely test them. There are big questions, however, over their lack of a clinical striker – it burned them badly against Liverpool and could prove costly this campaign. Callum Wilson has plenty of experience in the top flight and Alexander Isak lots of promise, but Eddie Howe will need one or both to show more cutting edge in the box if Newcastle is to push on this season. Teen winger Yakuba Minteh is one for the future, but Newcastle could have done with some more depth in their back line. And they also saw a deal collapse for exiled player Isaac Hayden to leave on loan to Luton Town.
Grade: B
Nottingham Forest
Biggest signing: Ibrahim Sangare ($59m from PSV)
Biggest exit: Brennan Johnson ($93m to Tottenham)
Total spent: $203m
Forest went wild on deadline day, signing a whopping seven players – including plenty that were announced after the 11pm closing of the transfer window. The highlight was Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi for an absolute bargain fee under £5m – especially when you consider the Blues once rejected a £70m offer for the 22-year-old.
Selling Brennan Johnson was never what Forest wanted, but they held out for a sizeable fee nearing £50m and used that cash very wisely to overhaul the squad and provide plenty of depth and balance around the park.
Former Liverpool striker Divock Origi returns to the Premier League on loan with an option to buy from AC Milan, while their deadline day moves included a fullback, a midfielder, and a strong keeper, in addition to their earlier signings. Anthony Elanga at 21 years old is another gifted attacker that could easily rise in re-sell value, like Hudson-Odoi, while they picked up a veteran attacker in Chris Wood who has already delivered in the scoring department. With a balance of youth and experience in their signings, they made the most of the money they received and traded one extremely good player for a host of valuable signings.
One to watch will definitely be Ibrahim Sangare, a defensive midfielder who always looks for a long ball – which could be perfect to feed their quick new wingers on the counter-attack. He was linked to Bayern Munich earlier in the window and is a massive deadline-day coup for Forest.
Grade: A+
Steve Cooper has overseen yet another big transfer window at Nottingham Forest. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP)Source: AFP
Sheffield United
Biggest signing: Cameron Archer ($35m from Aston Villa)
Biggest exit: Iliman Ndiaye ($28m to Marseille)
Total spent: $107m
The Blades always deliver solid signings for reasonable prices – and this time they went fishing across Europe for bargains. They picked up players from Sweden, Denmark, and Belgium, before bagging a big name in Villa’s gifted striker Cameron Archer. Losing Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge was a blow, especially the latter’s grit in the midfield, but Sheffield United did well to add Gustavo Hamer from Coventry City in the Championship. The 26-year-old is a defensive-minded midfield warrior but has already delivered a Premier League goal and has started the new season well. They’ll need 21-year-old Archer to find his feet, as well as their other young signings (average age 22.6). But there’s plenty of room for optimism, and the Blades did it all on a shoestring budget.
Grade: B
Tottenham Hotspur
Biggest signing: Brennan Johnson ($92m from Nottingham Forest)
Biggest exit: Harry Kane ($168m to Bayern Munich)
Total spent: $415m.
James Maddison might have seemed expensive at $77m, but his creativity in midfield has revolutionised Spurs and he might just end up being one of the signings of the season. Spurs have undergone a rebuild under Ange Postecoglou, but by far the biggest move was the departure of England captain Harry Kane – the will-he-won’t-he drama finally coming to an end this year. It pocketed Spurs a heap of cash, which they spread around on a number of players, with nine arrivals in all. Brennan Johnson came in late, the Nottingham Forest attacker perfectly fitting the mould of a versatile Postecoglou forward that can play anywhere across the front line. There are some areas where Spurs are lacking, though. Postecoglou wanted another centre-back or two after the arrival of Micky van de Ven but didn’t get them, especially with the club unable to offload a couple of defenders. And there’s a lack of creative depth if Maddison cops an injury – besides Giovani Lo Celso, there’s not much playmaking or creative incision. And there was also a failure to ship out Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who rejected a move to Fulham. It looked like a move could happen on deadline day, but Spanish side Atletico Madrid was only looking for a loan deal while Spurs wanted a permanent buyer. Their failure to sell may have stopped them from sealing a move for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher. Spurs reportedly tabled an offer of £40m for the midfielder, but couldn’t convince the Blues to sell. Nevertheless, a new back-line, more depth in midfield, and an attacker is a solid return – though it doesn’t quite mask the hole in attack left by Kane’s exit.
Grade: B+
James Maddison has adapted quickly to life at Tottenham. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
West Ham United
Biggest signing: Mohammed Kudus ($72m from Ajax)
Biggest exit: Declan Rice ($195m to Arsenal)
Total spent: $230m
Manager David Moyes called it a ‘difficult’ transfer window, which sums things up nicely. They were always going to lose Declan Rice, but got plenty of money for their star man. The problem was signing the players that they wanted!
It started well as they brought in Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse as well as the exceptional Kudus, but were frustrated in their attempts to sign a striker after selling Gianluca Scamacca to Atalanta.
Negotiations failed over a deal for Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto, as well as Sevilla over Youssef En-Nesyri and Paris Saint-Germain over Hugo Ekitike. They also saw Juventus reject a move for wing-back Filip Kostic, who chose the Italian club over West Ham a year ago but fell down the pecking order.
With hopes high that they would land a striker and Kostic on deadline day, it ended in frustration. But they ended up with a profit, and they’re top of the table with a nice European trophy in their cabinet already this season. It could be worse!
Grade: C+
Wolves
Biggest signing: Matheus Cunha ($84m from Atletico Madrid, loan made permanent)
Biggest exit: Matheus Nunes ($101m to Manchester City)
Total spent: $157m
Wolves were a club in crisis when the window opened, stricken by huge losses (and transfer spending) over the last two seasons that left them desperately needing to sell players to balance their books.
So bad was the situation that manager Julen Lopetegui left the club just days before the start of the season, frustrated that he was blocked from signing any players to add to a squad that he believed was not capable of survival.
It was all about the departures this window – midfield star Ruben Neves to Saudi Arabia, defender Nathan Collins to Brentford, and then midfielder Matheus Nunes to the champions on deadline day for £52m. They also offloaded Conor Coady, Raúl Jiménez and Ryan Giles to name a few.
In one sense, Wolves will be very happy at the money they raked in. But the players they signed as replacements – all for cheap – are clearly a class below the stars they let go.
They made January’s loan arrival Matheus Cunha into a permanent move for €50m, but that deal had already been effectively locked in last window.
Luckily, they managed to pick up a midfielder in Jean-Ricner Bellegarde from Strasbourg on the final day, their second midfield arrival from the French league this window after bagging Boubacar Traoré earlier. Santiago Bueno, a centre-back, arrived from Girona on yet another cut-price deal.
Financially, this window was much-needed for Wolves. But they must feel like they’ve been absolutely gutted of their top talent.
Al Hilal are reported to have negotiated a £50 million ($AUD99 million deal for the 28-year-old.
“The club can confirm that Aleksandar Mitrovic has this evening left to join Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League for a club record transfer fee,” Fulham said in a statement.
“The club had reluctantly accepted a revised offer as the player had consistently made his desire to leave known.”
Mitrovic pushed for a move in order to join the growing list of players swapping Europe for a lucrative switch to the Gulf state.
He will be Al Hilal’s latest high-profile signing after their swoops for Neymar, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Ruben Neves and Malcom.
Mitrovic has gone to Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Chris Wood clinched Nottingham Forest’s first Premier League win this season as the New Zealand striker’s last-gasp header sealed a 2-1 win against Sheffield United on Friday.
Wood netted in the 89th minute at the City Ground to ensure Forest bounced back from their 2-1 defeat at Arsenal in their season opener last weekend.
Steve Cooper’s side had taken the lead early in the first half thanks to Taiwo Awoniyi’s header.
Gustavo Hamer equalised before the break on his Blades debut. The midfielder arrived last week from second tier Coventry.
Wood’s dramatic late contribution made it successive defeats for United on their return to the top-flight after last season’s promotion as Championship runners-up.
The Blades lost 1-0 at home to Crystal Palace last weekend.
Dating back to last season, Forest have won four in a row at the City Ground as a top-flight side for the first time since 1996.
In the first top-flight meeting between these sides since the maiden Premier League season in 1992-93, Forest took just three minutes to seize the initiative.
Serge Aurier’s cross was perfectly placed for Awoniyi to muscle between two defenders and power a bullet header past United keeper Wes Foderingham.
In the last 15 years, only two players other than Awoniyi have scored six of their club’s goals in a row — Christian Benteke for Aston Villa in 2015 and Erling Haaland for Manchester City last season.
Taiwo Awoniyi of Nottingham Forest celebrates with teammate Neco Williams after the first goal.Source: Getty Images
Morgan Gibbs-White’s low drive from the edge of the area was Forest by Foderingham as Forest poured forward in search of a second goal.
Awoniyi and Aurier threatened again, with the Nigeria forward only denied another goal by Anel Ahmedhodzic’s last-ditch clearance.
After a wretched start, United finally mustered a shot when Vini Souza’s 25-yard curler drew a good save from Matt Turner.
Turner had to save again when John Egan scuffed a close-range effort goalwards from Hamer’s corner.
The Blades’ pressure was rewarded in the 48th minute as Hamer curled a sublime finish into the far corner from the edge of the area.
Awoniyi thought he had restored Forest’s lead but his dinked finish was disallowed for off-side.
Willy Boly’s close-range strike from a corner was repelled by Foderingham before Turner came to Forest’s rescue with a good save from Beni Traore.
Both sides pushed hard for the winner but it was Forest who hit the jackpot in the 89th minute.
Once again it was Aurier who provided the assist with a telling cross that Wood flicked past Foderingham to the delight of the raucous City Ground crowd.
Brentford goalkeeper David Raya could reportedly be an Arsenal player within the next two days.
It was recently stated that the Gunners had lodged an opening £20million bid plus £3m in add-ons for the 27-year-old.
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Arsenal are keen to bring in Raya to provide competition for Aaron RamsdaleCredit: Getty
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Raya has starred between the sticks for Brentford in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
talkSPORT revealed on Friday how their offer was set to be knocked back by the Bees, who have been holding out for a fee nearer to £40m.
And it now appears that the two clubs are edging closer to an agreement with Aaron Ramsdale’s back-up Matt Turner poised to depart the Emirates.
According to Italian reporter Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have never been closer to the signing of Raya.
It has been claimed that the potential transfer could be wrapped up within the next ’24/48 hours’.
Raya is believed to have already agreed personal terms with the north London outfit having snubbed a switch to Bayern Munich.
Brentford have been keen to offload the Spaniard with the shot-stopper refusing to extend his stay beyond 2024.
Should he join Arsenal, he would become Mikel Arteta‘s fourth major acquisition this summer following the arrivals of Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz.
As one player looks to be heading to Arsenal, another is set to leave, as USA international Turner closes in on a switch to Nottingham Forest.
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Turner looks to be on his way to join ForestCredit: Getty
talkSPORT revealed last month how the 29-year-old was in talks to join Steve Cooper’s side.
And Romano has now declared that Turner has agreed personal terms with the Reds, with Forest and Arsenal reaching a verbal agreement over the transfer.
Turner only joined Arsenal from MLS outfit New England Revolution last year, where he featured in just seven games in all competitions – with none coming in the Premier League.
Arteta is keen to bring in a goalkeeper who can provide genuine competition for Ramsdale.
And with Arsenal now back in the Champions League, Arteta knows he must have a world class squad if he wishes to challenge for Europe’s premier competition.
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