3:29 As David Silva says goodbye to Manchester City we take a look back at some of his best moments since arriving ten years ago…
Manchester City said goodbye this summer to David Silva, as well as Sane. El Mago, the magician, has joined Real Sociedad on a free transfer, though his day of unveiling brought an unforseen positive coronavirus test.
Liverpool sold Dejan Lovren to Zenit St Petersburg for £10.9m, while Jan Vertonghen finally left Tottenham for Benfica after opting against a new deal and Pedro swapped Chelsea for Roma – a club at which Manchester United defender Chris Smalling could yet end up on a permanent basis after a successful loan spell.
And, there was closure for the two protagonists in one of the game’s most ill-fated swap deals.
Alexis Sanchez, who scored just five goals in 45 games at Manchester United, joined Inter Milan on a free, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan has stayed put at Roma after terminating his Arsenal contract by mutual consent.
He’s gone where?
Who saw Aaron Mooy – 37 appearances for Brighton last season – trading the south coast for the Chinese Super League? “It’s a good move for all parties,” said Graham Potter after the Australian’s surprise switch to Shanghai SIPG for an undisclosed fee.
Angel Gomes, to Solskjaer’s disappointment, left Manchester United for Lille earlier in the window – and was promptly loaned to Boavista in Portugal – while another Old Trafford youngster, Tahith Chong, will spent this season on loan at Werder Bremen.
And, if you thought Ricardo Fuller had hung up his boots years ago, you would be wrong. The former Stoke striker has just joined non-League Hanley Town – at the age of 40.
Which other deals could still happen?
Five weeks remain for Premier League clubs to do their main business – ample time for transfer twists and turns.
Jack Grealish has finally got his England call-up but could Manchester United yet move for Aston Villa’s talisman? United cooled their interest in a player rated £80m following Villa’s Premier League survival but Solskjaer – who has also been monitoring Kingsley Coman as a potential Sancho alternative – remains an admirer.
Ismaila Sarr has a fan of his own in Gary Neville, while Liverpool have watched the Senegal international, whom Watford value at more than £40m. The Hornets could yet be raided for Abdoulaye Doucoure – Everton are keen – and Troy Deeney, who is interesting West Brom.
Could Kalidou Koulibaly arrive in England’s top flight after repeated transfer links? Manchester City have kept tabs on the Napoli man, while RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano has previously interested both Manchester clubs.
Brentford duo Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma are in demand – Aston Villa, Sheffield United and Fulham are interested in Championship player of the year Watkins, though the Bees are holding out for £25m.
And what next for Gareth Bale? Left out of Real Madrid’s Champions League defeat to Manchester City because he “preferred not to play,” according to Zinedine Zidane, the Wales forward remains on the periphery and at a career crossroads…
Who’s still a free agent?
Plenty of players with pedigree could be lured on a free transfer, even if wages still need to be negotiated.
Edinson Cavani, 33, scored almost 200 goals over seven years at PSG and is looking for a new club, as is 34-year-old Mario Mandzukic following a short spell with Al-Duhail.
Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge told Sky Sports recently he feels he has “unfinished business” in the Premier League, while two other former Reds, Nathaniel Clyne and Jordon Ibe are currently without an employer.
Ryan Fraser, like Ibe, is available for free after his Bournemouth contract expired, while Mario Goetze – still only 28 – is another attacking player looking for a fresh challenge.
Summer transfer window – key dates and times
The summer transfer window will run for 10 weeks from July 27 and close at 11pm on October 5. A domestic-only window for trades between the Premier League and EFL then runs from October 5 and closes on Friday October 16 at 5pm.
Follow all the news and analysis on Sky Sports News and across Sky Sports’ digital platforms, including with our dedicated Transfer Centre blog.
Sourse: skysports.com
