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.

But far from being satisfied with their continental glory a few months ago, expectations at Stamford Bridge are even higher for 2021-2022 and there’s not room for anyone in the squad. That’s why they offloaded Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori, among others.

Chelsea, meanwhile, completed the return of Belgian superstar Romelu Lukaku to give a huge upgrade to their attack, and they wouldn’t stop there. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues could go back into the transfer market to sign these two players:

Jules Kounde

Tuchel would welcome the arrival of a dependable center-back to have more depth and competition for the starting role. Sevilla center-back Jules Kounde seems to be Chelsea’s target for the defense.

At 22 years of age, the Frenchman has a bright future ahead of him and that’s why the Blues would be eager to land him. According to Transfermarkt, his market value is $66 million, so the English side might need to spend a huge fee again.

Saul Niguez

The Spanish midfielder has been linked with a move away from Atletico Madrid over the summer, with the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool heavily linked with him.

But now it might be Chelsea who set their sights on Saul Niguez, whom the Colchoneros would be open to selling. In the meantime, he has started for Diego Simeone‘s side in La Liga opener against Celta.

It may have come as a surprise to see Saul making the headlines due to a possible transfer, given his long history with the club and his significant contribution to the team. Atletico, however, are struggling to land a striker for next season due to a salary cap in La Liga, and selling Saul emerged as an option to fix that issue.

Besides, Atletico feel they could offload Saul after completing the signing of Rodrigo De Paul. Needless to say, the 26-year-old’s situation has caught the eye of the most prominent European teams and, according to As,these three would be in the front row to sign him:

Manchester United

The Red Devils are once again linked with a possible move for the Spanish midfielder. Manchester United are not lacking in players at his position at all, with the likes of Paul Pogba, Fred, Scott McTominay, and Donny van de Beek, yet Saul could mean an upgrade in the middle of the park.

But most importantly, United’s interest in him would be related to Pogba’s uncertain situation with the club, as the French international is heading to the final year of his contract and they might sell him now before he leaves for free. Manchester United would have to meet Atletico’s demands, though, which could be high as they expect to use that money to signa world-class forward.

Liverpool

Liverpoolhave joined the race to bring Saul to the Premier League. The Reds have recently suffered Georginio Wijnaldum‘s departure to PSG as a free agent and are already considering options to replace him.

The Merseyside club is reportedly preparing a $40 million bid but, with Atleticoasking for at least $50 million, they would propose swapping players as well. According to reports from England, Liverpool would offerXherdan Shaqiri as an option and the Daily Express added that Divock Origi would be also included. However, it seems unlikely that Atletico will consider those two players as the boost they’re looking for their attack.

Barcelona

And last but not least, Barcelonawould be frontrunners in the pursuit of Saul. The Blaugranas and Atletico have been all over the news in the last few days due to a possibleswap of players that would see Antoine Griezmann returning to the Colchoneros in exchangeforSaul’s move to Barca.

That deal seems to be the perfect one for Atletico so far, as they would be landing the forward they need while offloading Saul’s contract to meet with La Liga’s salary cap. Still, they have to reach an agreement with Griezmann in terms of his salary, which would be too high for Atleti right now. Meanwhile, Barcelona will have to decide if they are willing to make this trade.

According to the Mirror in England, the French World Cup winner’s agent will meet with Manchester United executives to negotiate a contract extension, the offer is set to be an estimated £400,000-per-week contract, but if Pogba turns down the offer the heads at ManU would try to sell the 28-year-old midfielder rather than have him leave on a free transfer next season.

Nonetheless the report indicates that Manchester United have a list of three players to replace Paul Pogba if he does not resign with the club and is sold in the summer. Here are the three names on Manchester United’s shortlist to replace Pogba.

Declan Rice

The 22-year-old from West Ham United has been capped 19 times by England, and has over 100 appearances for West Ham. Considered by many to be one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League, Rice would cost Manchester United an over the top £100 million transfer fee.

Wilfred Ndidi

Nigerian Wilfred Ndidi is 24 years old and is at Leicester City, where he has played over 120 games for the Foxes. Ndidi could also be a cheaper buy than Rice and that could push his signing past the finish line.

Saul Niguez

United’s third option comes from Spain and it is Saul Niguez who is currently at Atletico Madrid. At 26, Niguez has been a mainstay at Atletico since 2012, and has been capped 19 times by Spain.

Ndidi and Niguez are said to be the two most affordable options for Manchester United, although Pogba has found a home in Manchester and is one of the teams’ leaders, it would be shocking if he was to move on.