Dubai: The transfer window will slam shut on Wednesday night in Europe’s big five leagues — the Premier League, La Liga, the Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1.
Premier League clubs are expected to surpass 1 billion pounds (Dh4.8 billion) in collective spending when the window closes at 2.30am UAE time (11.30pm Wednesday in the UK) on Thursday.
A record 859 million pounds (Dh4.1 billion) was spent by Premier League clubs this time last year but, following a new broadcasting deal, teams have already spent 800 million pounds between them this summer and are now expected to break the billion mark for the first time.
Paul Pogba’s move from Juventus to Manchester United earlier this month was not only the biggest transfer of the summer but also the highest fee ever paid for a player at 89 million pounds.
That’s highly unlikely to be rivalled in the remaining hours of business but there could still be plenty of drama.
Eyes will be on Arsenal to see whether they will finally get a striker, while Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas and Man United’s Bastian Schweinsteiger have been linked with moves. But they are just a few of the many storylines that could unfold throughout the course of the day.
The transfer window of many other European leagues, such as the Dutch league and the Scottish Premiership, close a day or two into September.