This transfer window was defined by the moves made by Lionel Messi to PSG and Cristiano Ronaldo back to Manchester United, but there were other signings that in their own way will be ones to watch for the clubs and players involved. While clubs have done the best they can to limit spending others like Manchester City and Manchester United have thrown the kitchen sink in order to land their targets.

Here is a review of the last-minute transfers from August 31st, while some names may not be striking, they could very well be huge for the club and player involved. Here are 7 last minute transfer window signings to take notice this season.

7. Emerson Royal – Barcelona to Tottenham, €25 million

22-year-old Brazilian, Emerson Royal made an unexpected and interesting move to Spurs on the final day of the transfer window. Royal who was involved in a strange operation in 2019 which saw him move from Atlético Mineiro in Brazil to Spain in a joint transfer between Real Betis and Barcelona. Royal played two seasons for Betis and later Barcelona exercised their buy option and bought 100% of the player for €9 million from Betis. Two months later Barcelona sold Royal to Spurs for €25 million, in need of cash Barcelona made a good deal off a player who has had a modest career in Europe. For Royal, a chance to play at Spurs and be away from all the Barcelona drama can help him get back on the Brazilian national team.

6. Tiemoue Bakayoko – Chelsea to AC Milan, Loan

Tiemoue Bakayoko is just one of those Chelsea players stuck in limbo and has been loaned out yet again this time for a second stint at AC Milan. The French midfielder has good pace and dribbling and now back at Milan will hopefully impress and live up to his potential.

5. Luuk de Jong – Barcelona, Loan

Despite being 1 billion euros in debt, Barcelona is still a destination for players. Netherland’s striker Luuk de Jong moved to Barcelona on a loan from Sevilla. For de Jong he is entering a good situation personally as he is highly rated by Ronald Koeman. Barcelona is in rebuild mode and Koeman’s job will depend on getting the most from “his” players.

4. Matthew Hoppe – Real Mallorca, € 3.3 million

An American cracks the list, Matthew Hoppe was the subject of a lot of transfer rumors this offseason and the young American kept a cool head. The 20-year-old striker jumps from Schalke 04 and all their issues to Real Mallorca of La Liga for € 3.3 million. Hoppe has a huge upside due to his age, in Germany he was the first American player to ever score a hat-trick in the Bundesliga.

3. Nuno Mendes – Sporting CP to Paris Saint-Germain, Loan

Nothing is going to stop PSG from making a push for this season’s Champions League and 19-year-old Nuno Mendes will be along for the ride. The left back played very well for Sporting CP on their way to the title last season and will be a good helping hand for the long season at PSG. PSG is the place to be right now, and Mendes is in great company.

2. Saúl Ñíguez – Chelsea, Loan

Spanish midfielder Saúl Ñíguez is just another top player on an already stacked Chelsea side that will look to win the Premier League and defend their Champions League title. Ñíguez is a central midfielder that has good passing ability and will hope to link up well with the Chelsea attack when called upon.

1. Antoine Griezmann – Atlético Madrid, Loan

Maybe the biggest move on the last day of the transfer window, French World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann returns to Atlético Madrid after an up and down stint at Barcelona which saw him score 22 goals in 74 La Liga games. Barcelona needed to clear Griezmann’s salary and once again sent a player to a direct rival, while for the French star it’s a chance to get back to the top of his game.

The United States National Team hasbeen exporting many of its talents to the Europeantop five leagues over the last few years, and two of them could be starring significant moves in the next few days.

The 2021 Gold Cup triumph with a “B-squad” without the likes of Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, and more, has proven how many bright players the USA have and teams in Europe may have taken note.

Matt Miazga

Matt Miazga is set to make his sixth loan move sincejoiningChelsea from the New York Red Bulls in 2016. According to Goal, the American center-back is close to signing for Spanish club Alaves on loan.

However, the report also states that the Blues want to extend his contract before he leaves, as Miazga’s contract runs out next summer. The 26-year-old has already been on loan at Dutch side Vitesse for two years, at Ligue 1 team Nantes, at Championship outfit Reading for two seasons, and went to Belgian giants Anderlecht for the 2020-2021 season.

Matthew Hoppe

The 2021 Gold Cup-winning player is reportedly on the radar of several Premier League and European clubs. Football Insider have revealed that Newcastle, Brentford, and Wolves are interested in landing Matthew Hoppe.

The Schalke 04 sensation has made a name for himself in the Bundesliga, even though his team was relegated last season. Now, the 20-year-old seems ready to chase a new challenge in his career as the German club is also in a delicate financial situation.

When it was all set and done the USMNT and Gregg Berhalter can add the Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup to their list of honors. Berhalter can even boast that he won a title on his birthday and increased his depth chart.

While many of these players may not be in the squad come qualifying, their stock has risen and has caught the eye of many teams in Europe, here is a list of some of the Gold Cup winning squad members that could be changing teams before the start of the European season.

Sam Vines

The USMNT left-back and current Colorado Rapids player Sam Vines is set to make a move to Belgium according to reports. The club in question is Royal Antwerp and they are set to pay a $2 million transfer fee for Vines. Vines has 8 caps and 1 goal for the USMNT.

Reggie Cannon

Currently at Boavista in Portugal, Reggie Cannon may be on the move to the French league and if you want to believe teammate Gianluca Busio, who let it slip on an Instagram live, that Cannon will move to OGC Nice. Boavista’s economic problems are well known, and Cannon has been rumored to either move to France or FC Porto.

Gianluca Busio

According to various sources Gianluca Busio is close to a 4 million Euro transfer to Italian side Venezia FC. Other teams in Italy were reportedly interested in the young midfielder but Venezia FC is ready to pull the trigger.

Daryl Dike

Daryl Dike has been the subject of many rumors since his stint in England, from Leeds to Manchester United, Everton made a serious bid for his services, what is scaring teams away is the $20 million price tag the player has. MLS and Orlando City may need to lower their expectations a bit if Dike is to move to Europe.

Matthew Hoppe

Up and coming forward Matthew Hoppe is rumored to be on the move to Germany team Bayer Leverkusen. Hoppe made a huge splash at both club and country in recent months and a move to Leverkusen would only raise his stock in a thin forward line for the USMNT.