Football transfers: Manchester United closes a record deal for Pogba, but it's City who's buying big

Well, there you have it. The deal is done. Paul Pogba is finally a Manchester United player once again. The French midfielder’s transfer has become the most expensive in history after his switch from Juventus on Tuesday. But believe it or not, it was not the only major transfer of the last week.

There have been some marquee signings by the big clubs while some are very surprising. Deals which would not have taken last summer are becoming common fashion this time around. Here is a look at some of the major transfer deals and rumours from the eventful week that has passed us by.

Done deals

1. Paul Pogba: From Juventus to Manchester United for £89 million

It rarely gets bigger than this. Paul Labile Pogba has become the most expensive signing in football history. There are many reports suggesting the final transfer sum is either £89 million or £93 million or even £100 million. These are due to various factors like the agent’s fee, player’s wages and so on. But the transfer alone is supposedly worth £89 million. The 23-year-old French midfielder, irrespective of praise or criticism, was coveted by almost all the big clubs. So, for Pogba to go back to Manchester United after leaving for Juventus for a mere £1.5 million in 2012 is a monumental event.

2. John Stones: From Everton to Manchester City for £47.5 million

Not to be out-spent by United, rivals Manchester City shelled out £47.5 million to sign centre-back John Stones from Everton. The defender had a horrid 2015-16 season, which cost him a place in the England side for Euro 2016. But manager Pep Guardiola has seen something in Stones that he thinks he can work with and improve.

Twenty-two-year old Stones is not the archetypal English centre-half. He likes to play out from the back and can start attacks from defensive positions. Guardiola craves such defenders. But the fee has made Stones the second-most expensive defender – and the second-most expensive English player – in history. Can he cope with the pressure? We will soon find out.

3. Leroy Sane: From Schalke to Manchester City for £37 million

City did not stop there. They bought young German winger Leroy Sane for £37 million from Schalke. The deal could go as high as £46.5 million with performance-related add-ons taking effect. Sane scored eight goals in 33 matches last season in the Bundesliga. For a 20-year-old winger to rack up those numbers is impressive.

4. Jese: From Real Madrid to Paris Saint-Germain for £21.2 million

In a surprising move, Jese has left Real Madrid to join Paris Saint-Germain for £21.2 million. The 23-year-old forward is tactically versatile and can play in a variety of positions in various formations and systems. He seemed the perfect substitute for Madrid’s big three of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema. But Jese probably does not want to be a substitute anymore.

5. Fernando Llorente: From Sevilla to Swansea for an undisclosed fee

This is probably one of the biggest surprises of the past week or so. Fernando Llorente, 31, has signed for Swansea City from Sevilla. The Spanish striker has won the World Cup and European Championship along with three Serie A titles, a Coppa Italia and a Europa League crown in his career so far. At six feet five inches, Llorente’s strongest attribute is his physical presence and extraordinary ability in the air. One can expect a lot of long balls from Swansea this season.

6. Gabriel Jesus: From Palmeiras to Manchester City for £27million

City have been relentless this transfer season. They have signed Gabriel Jesus for £27 million from Brazilian side Palmeiras. The forward has scored 19 goals in 30 matches this season. At just 19, Jesus has a bright future and has joined the revolution that Guardiola is conducting at Manchester City. The squad’s significantly high average age has also been reduced by these signings.

7. Andre Ayew: From Swansea to West Ham for £20.5 million

Ghanaian winger Andre Ayew has switched to West Ham United from Premier League rivals Swansea City for £20.5 million. Ayew, 26, had a very good start to his Premier League career last season, but faded away in the second half. After moving to their new London Stadium, West Ham have been busy in the transfer market and have bought a player who scored 12 goals in 34 league matches in 2015-16.

8. Thomas Vermaelen: From Barcelona to AS Roma on loan

Thomas Vermaelen has completed his loan move to AS Roma from Barcelona. The Belgium defender has only played 11 league games for the Catalan giants since his move in 2014 from Arsenal. This has been on account of injuries rather than anything else. But Barcelona have bought defensive reinforcements this summer and Vermaelen could have become redundant. He can make his move permanent if Roma exercise that option.

Rumours

1. Isco: From Real Madrid to Juventus/AC Milan?

Isco’s future at Real Madrid has not been certain for the last one year. He did not start the 2016 UEFA Champions League final, for instance. There is strong speculation that the big Italian clubs want the Spanish attacking midfielder. If Real Madrid decide to sell, then Juventus could land him instead of AC Milan. The lure of Champions League football is something Milan cannot provide. Besides, Juventus have one of the strongest squads in Europe despite losing Paul Pogba.

2. Samir Nasri: From Manchester City to Inter Milan?

Manager Pep Guardiola has already told Samir Nasri that he needs to lose weight before he can train with the first team. But now it seems that the Manchester City boss does not see the French winger in his future plans at all. Nasri has been in and out of City’s first team squad for the last two seasons. His time seems to be up with the Manchester club. Italian Serie A side Inter Milan seem to be interested in him. A move away from England could revive his career.

3. Mario Balotelli: From Liverpool to Chievo?

The enigmatic Balotelli is in the news again. The 26-year-old Italian striker is now wanted by another Serie A club, Chievo. Once touted as the best talent in Italy, Balotelli has fallen way down the pecking order. Chievo finished in ninth position in the Serie A last season and do not exactly have the funds to buy Balotelli’s services unless Liverpool decide to release him for free. As tempting as it can be, the possibility of that happening is very low.

4. Christian Benteke: From Liverpool to Crystal Palace?

Another Liverpool striker who is seemingly heading away from Anfield is Christian Benteke. Crystal Palace have been rumoured to be signing the Belgian. A fee in the region of £32 million has been reported. That is close to the sum Liverpool paid Aston Villa to get Benteke only last year.

5. Wilfried Bony: From Manchester City to Everton/Arsenal?

Wilfried Bony has been linked with a move away to Arsenal or Everton. The Manchester City striker has not found life easy after his switch to City from Swansea in January 2015. After scoring 26 goals in 54 matches for Swansea, the Ivory Coast international has only managed six goals in 36 matches for City. Guardiola has already bought a whole host of attacking players and Bony could leave before the transfer window has closed. Arsenal fans want a striker and while Bony is not what they were hoping for, he may turn out to be a good addition.

6. Eliaquim Mangala: From Manchester City to Valencia?

Guardiola is trying to pilot a full-blown clear-out at City. Eliaquim Mangala has not had the sort of impact one would expect from a £42 million signing. In fact he has been found wanting in too many matches for City. With the club buying John Stones, Mangala could be heading to the exit door. Spanish side Valencia have been reported to be pursuing the 25-year-old French national, either on loan or on a permanent deal. The fee could be around £32 million. If that happens, Mangala will become the most expensive defender in history when all transfer fees have been added.

7. Yann M’Vila: From Rubin Kazan to Sunderland?

Defensive midfielder Yann M’Vila spent last season with Sunderland on loan from Russian club Rubin Kazan, helping the Black Cats survive relegation. Despite there being a managerial change at Sunderland, reports have suggested that the club are lining up a bid to get the Frenchman on a permanent deal.

8. Moussa Sissoko: From Newcastle United to Paris Saint-Germain?

Moussa Sissoko seems destined to leave Newcastle United. His display in the Euro 2016 final drew praise and he is too good to play in the English Championship after Newcastle were relegated from the Premier League last season. After Pogba moved to Manchester United from Juventus, the Italian giants want Blaise Matuidi from Paris Saint-Germain. If they get Matuidi, then PSG will turn their attention to Sissoko.

9. Lamine Kone: From Sunderland to Chelsea?

Sunderland defender Lamine Kone could move to Chelsea if reports are to be believed. Kone was signed by former Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce and he also helped them to remain in the Premier League. The Ivory Coast central defender could be a good option for Chelsea.