Football transfers: Christian Benteke exits Liverpool after just one season and other deals, rumours

The 2016 summer transfer window closes on September 1 and there are many teams that still look short on numbers and quality. Clubs will be looking to get the players they want and may have to splash the cash in order to get them. Some others will look to just polish their squads with minimal additions and/or subtractions.

The money involved in some of the players might be over-the-top. But in a summer where the transfer record has been broken by Paul Pogba and Manchester United, almost nothing should come as a surprise. There will even be higher-profile loan moves, mostly involving younger players. Let's look at some of the major transfers and rumours from the previous week and more.

Done deals:

1. Christian Benteke: From Liverpool to Crystal Palace for £27 million

When Crystal Palace shell out £27 million on a player, one can imagine the situation they are in. The London club are desperately in search of goals and they have taken their chances with Christian Benteke. The Belgium striker has left Liverpool after just one season. Benteke was brought to Liverpool by Brendan Rodgers, but the manager was soon sacked. Almost as soon as Jurgen Klopp was appointed as the new boss, Benteke's future seemed bleak at Merseyside. Palace seem toothless in attack and Benteke is a proven Premier League goal-scorer. He scored 42 goals in 89 matches for Aston Villa and nine in 29 for Liverpool. He is a striker who doesn't need many chances to score and that could be beneficial for Palace this season. The deal could rise by another £5 million.

2. Ashley Williams: From Swansea City to Everton for £11 million

Everton bolstered their squad by buying Ashley Williams from Premier League rivals Swansea City for £11 million. The accomplished centre-back will add steel and leadership to the Everton defence, which looked bereft of both qualities last season. Williams was the captain of Swansea and also leads the Wales national team. He had a good summer leading the Welsh to the semi-finals of Euro 2016. Everton losing John Stones doesn't look all that bad now. Swansea, however, have been considerably weakened.

3. Mario Gomez: From Fiorentina to Wolfsburg for £6 million

Germany striker Mario Gomez has moved back to his homeland after a switch from Fiorentina to Wolfsburg. The fee is reported to be just above £6 million. Gomez spent last season on loan at Turkish club Besiktas, but decided not to play there anymore after the recent political unrest in the country. Gomez last played in the Bundesliga for Bayern Munich in 2013.

4. Adnan Januzaj: From Manchester United to Sunderland on loan

When David Moyes gave Adnan Januzaj his debut at Manchester United, everyone said that he had one of the brightest futures among the younger footballers in the Premier League. Three years have gone and it seems like Januzaj was a better player back in 2013 than he is in 2016. Moyes trusted him, but Louis van Gaal didn't and now Jose Mourinho doesn't seem too keen on keeping the young Belgian in his squad. United did not want to face a situation like they did with Paul Pogba, so they sent him out on loan to Sunderland. Moyes is in charge of Sunderland now and wanted Januzaj on a permanent deal, but United only agreed to loan.

5. Yannick Bolasie: From Crystal Palace to Everton for £30 million

Everton have been adding a lot of players to their squad and Yannick Bolasie is one of them. The winger has moved to the Merseyside club from Crystal Palace. There are contrasting reports as to the fee involved, but it could rise up to as high as £30 million. Bolaise started the last campaign very well, but then got injured and lost his form. He will look to replicate that with Everton.

6. Martin Demichelis: From Manchester City to Espanyol for free

Experienced Argentina centre-back Martin Demichelis has signed for Spanish club Espanyol on a free after his contract with Manchester City ended. He was ridiculed by fans during his three-year stay at City, but managed to win a Premier League title and two League Cups. Now 35, it seemed his age beyond anything was the reason for his poor treatment by some sections of the fans.

7. Paddy McNair & Donald Love: From Manchester United to Sunderland for £5.5 million

If Sunderland find it difficult to buy the players they want, they turn to Manchester United for help. They manage to get players that United deem surplus to requirements on most occasions. With Paddy McNair and Donald Love moving in the conventional direction, the reason stays the same. Jose Mourinho did not see the duo in his short- or long-term plans at United. But Moyes felt that the two can add the numbers to his depleted squad. The fee for both combined is £5.5 million. While McNair can play in a variety of defensive positions, Love is primarily a right-back.

8. Steven Pienaar: From Everton to Sunderland for free

It seems like Sunderland have been scrambling around to find the players they need more than any other club. Moyes has brought in Steven Pienaar for free after he was released by Everton at the end of last season. The South African midfielder was twice signed by Moyes at Everton and it seems like their association will continue for at least one more season.

9. Joel Campbell: From Arsenal to Sporting Lisbon on loan

With Arsenal struggling in the strikers' department, one would've thought they would use what they had if they weren't going to buy anyone. But they haven't got anyone new and now they have sent forward Joel Campbell on loan to Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon. Conventional wisdom suggests that Arsene Wenger is lining up a deal for a striker. But history suggests that there may not be any new forward walking through Arsenal's front door before the transfer window closes.

10. James Wilson: From Manchester United to Derby County on loan

Another promising player has left Manchester United on loan for the season. James Wilson has joined Derby County in the English Championship after falling further down the pecking order since Mourinho's arrival. He is only 20 years old, so he could still have a future at United. But as of now the young striker is behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford. Blessed with blistering pace, Wilson should be a good fit for Derby.

Rumours:

1. Joe Hart: From Manchester City to Everton/Sevilla?

Ever since Pep Guardiola selected Willy Caballero in goal for Manchester City's opening Premier League match this season, the spotlight has been on Joe Hart. Guardiola then opted for the veteran Argentine over England's No. 1 for City's next two games as well. Now Barcelona have revealed that a principal deal is in place with City for Claudio Bravo, 33, to move to Manchester. Bravo is an all-round goalkeeper who has good ball-playing skills – a trait coveted by Guardiola in his goalkeepers. For all of Hart's positives, this is a major negative. The culture in England does not require the man with the gloves to play football as good as an outfield player. But Guardiola doesn't care about that. Now it seems like Everton are the only real option for Hart. Whether the move is a loan deal or not, we will have to wait and see. Sevilla have expressed an interest, but a move to Spain seems unlikely.

2. Jasper Cillessen: From Ajax to Barcelona?

The knock-on effect from Bravo's seeming departure is that Barcelona will want a replacement. Ajax Amsterdam's Jasper Cillessen has been touted as the man for the job. He is also the Netherland's No. 1. But many in Barcelona see Marc-Andre Ter Stegen as their main goalkeeper, so, Cillessen may have to play second fiddle. Ter Stegen, 24, was usually used in the UEFA Champions League, while Bravo was selected in La Liga matches. A dual system of two No. 1s could still be used by Barcelona if Cillessen makes the move.

3. Jose Fonte: From Southampton to Manchester United/Arsenal?

Despite spending £30 million on Eric Bailly, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho wants to add another centre-back to his squad. Southampton captain Jose Fonte has emerged as a potential target. Fonte is 32 years old, but is well-respected amongst his peers. Mourinho wants more leadership in his team and Fonte will certainly provide that. Arsenal too have been reported to be interested in the Portugal international.

4. Jonny Evans: From West Brom to Arsenal?

Arsenal are reportedly interested in West Bromwich Albion's Jonny Evans as well. The long-term injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista have made Arsenal look for options in the centre of defence. Shkodran Mustafi remains the main target, but his asking price is around £50 million. That is a figure Arsene Wenger will most-probably not agree to, especially for a defender. Evans has Premier League title-winning experience during his time at Manchester United and could be a good stop-gap option for Arsenal.

5. Mario Mandzukic: From Juventus to Chelsea?

Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic has been linked with a move to Chelsea. The Croatian has only been with the Old Lady for one season, but he doesn't tend to stay at his clubs for long periods. He was at Wolfsburg for two years and then a couple more at Bayern Munich. Mandzukic then signed for Atletico Madrid in 2014, but left them for Juventus in 2015. He is a strong presence in the penalty box and tends to score important goals. There is still speculation about Diego Costa's future at Chelsea and Mandzukic could be a good replacement if the former leaves.

6. Kalidou Koulibaly: From Napoli to Chelsea?

Chelsea are also in the market for a central defender. Kalidou Koulibaly is one who has been strongly linked with the west London club. Chelsea have an aging defence and Kurt Zouma is still recuperating from a bad knee injury. Despite not being involved in any European competition this season, it seems that getting a commanding centre-back isn't a bad idea for Chelsea. But the deal seems a bit off at the moment, yet could still happen.

7. Jeffrey Schlupp: From Leicester City to West Brom?

Leicester City don't want to lose title winner Jeffrey Schlupp amid interest from West Brom. But the Ghana winger/full-back is seeking first-team football after mostly being used from the bench last season. He is a fast and powerful runner with the ball and has the ability to deliver good crosses.

8. Loic Remy: From Chelsea to Crystal Palace/Lyon?

Chelsea forward Loic Remy has further fallen down the pecking order this season. He is now wanted by Crystal Palace and Lyon. Despite getting in Benteke, Palace do look like they need another goal-scorer. Remy can play as the main striker or even as the second forward.

9. Carlos Tevez: From Boca Juniors to Napoli?

This is a little speculative, but it seems like Carlos Tevez has attracted interest from Italian Serie A side Napoli. The club sold Gonzalo Higuain to Juventus and are looking for an experienced striker to fill the void in their attack. Tevez spent two years at Juventus and helped them win the title in both seasons. Tevez is currently playing for Argentinean side Boca Juniors. A move seems unlikely for the highly homesick forward. But stranger things have happened.

10. Diego Lopez: From AC Milan to Chelsea?

Spanish goalkeeper Diego Lopez finds himself linked to Chelsea as well. He was the second choice to Italian sensation Gianluigi Donnarumma last season. The experienced goalkeeper would not have found it easy to see a then 16-year-old to take his place in the AC Milan starting XI. While he would be expected to play as second choice behind Thibaut Courtois at Chelsea, it is not that likely for the deal to go through.