With the transfer market closing for Europe’s top five leagues, there are a number of transfers that went under the radar after a hectic deadline day.
With exchanges still being confirmed, what deals might you have missed out on?
Victor Boniface: Leverkusen -> Werder Bremen (loan)
Some of you reading may have thought that Victor Boniface had completed a move to AC Milan earlier in the window, however that fell through after he failed his medical.
However the Nigerian still completed a move away from Leverkusen, with a domestic loan switch to Werder Bremen.
The striker netted 30 goal contributions as Leverkusen went invincible domestically in 23/24, but an adductor injury early in 2024 plagued his fitness over the rest of his time at Leverkusen.
Concerns over two previous ACL injuries ended his hopes of joining AC Milan, but if he can find fitness at Bremen he’s one of the most dangerous forwards in Europe.
Alexis Sanchez: Udinese -> Sevilla (free)
36-year-old Chilean winger is back in La Liga after 13 years away, joining Sevilla on a one-year deal.
The former Arsenal, Barcelona and Manchester United star has over 350 career goal contributions, and was a shining light for the Gunners during a turbulent decade in the 2010’s.
His most recent successes came particularly at Marseille, in the 22/23 season netting 18 goals and three assists in all competitions.
Last season at Udinese he struggled with a calf injury which left him as a squad player, but if he can replicate some of the stunning form he has shown over his career, it would be a dream return to Spanish football.
Georges Mikautadze: Lyon -> Villarreal (€31m)
One of the bigger deals completed on deadline day that seemed to get limited traction was Georgian forward Georges Mikautadze moving to La Liga with Villarreal.
The Euro 2024 star has been jumping between clubs in recent years, and joined Lyon after the euro tournament that put his name firmly on the map.
Mikautadze scored 17 and assisted 9 in all competitions for Lyon last season, playing 47 games, so it has come as a shock that they have moved him on after just a season.
It remains to be seen how he will perform in Spain, but he joins Villarreal with a reputation of scoring goals.
Fabio Vieira: Arsenal -> Hamburg (loan)
Fabio Vieira’s fourth season at Arsenal will be spent on loan in the Bundesliga, as he has joined newly promoted Hamburg.
He joins former Arsenal teammate Albert Sambi Lokonga who also had a deadline day transfer confirmed to HSV, for a fee of £2.5m.
The Portuguese midfielder, 25, excelled at boyhood club Porto on loan last summer, and will look to take the Bundesliga by storm to force his way back into Mikel Arteta’s plans.
As a creative midfielder, if he can hit form, Arsenal could really utilise his skills in the future against teams that look to sit back and soak up pressure.
Bertrand Traore: Ajax -> Sunderland (£2.5m)
Former Chelsea, Aston Villa and Lyon winger Bertrand Traore is back in the Premier League, joining the ensemble cast of Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
At Villa he scored 10 goals and made seven assists in 62 appearances, and adds experience to a young group, especially in an attacking sense.
His signature cut inside and precision finish into the bottom corner is returning to the Premier League, and the 29 year old Burkinabé winger will be looking to help the Black Cats stay in the Premier League.
Nicolò Zaniolo: Galatasaray -> Udinese (loan)
Once one of the biggest wonderkids in Italy, Zaniolo hasn’t quite gone on to be the next Totti like touted.
Plagued with injuries including separate ACL injuries in each knee that ruled him out for 18 months in total, his attempts at saving his career led him to Galatasaray, Aston Villa, Atalanta and Fiorentina, and now he has just joined Udinese on loan.
The 26-year-old winger/striker hasn’t scored more than five goals in a season since 2022, so it is hard to imagine him recapturing his Roma form anytime soon, but entering the prime of his career could rejuvenate him.
Breel Embolo: Monaco -> Rennes (€13m)
Swiss striker Breel Embolo has made the switch from Monaco to Rennes, having previously been linked to several Italian sides earlier in the window.
Embolo regularly scores goals wherever he goes, with over 100 career goals for club and country.
Rennes underperformed to finish 12th last season, so some much needed firepower with the loss of Arnaud Kalimuendo was a necessity.
The 28-year-old is another on this list where you have to be wary of his injury record however, missing over 180 games in his career through various unfortunate injuries, most recently an ACL in 23/24.
Fotis Ionnaidis: Panathinaikos -> Sporting (€22m)
Sporting needed to replace Danish U21 striker Conrad Harder who made the move to RB Leipzig.
On deadline day they secured the talents of 25-year-old Greek striker Fotis Ionnaidis, arriving from Panathinaikos.
Previously, he was subject to a lot of attention last summer after netting 23 goals and nine assists, however regressed last season.
If Sporting can recapture his form and form a deadly partnership with Colombian Luis Suárez who replaced Viktor Gyökeres, they could be well poised to achieve three consecutive league titles in Portugal.
