Partey time for Arsenal while Manchester United busy on deadline day

Arsenal landed the biggest deal on transfer deadline day after meeting the £45million release clause in midfielder Thomas Partey’s Atletico Madrid contract.

The Gunners tweeted “Welcome to the Partey!” shortly after Atletico confirmed they had met the valuation for the Ghana international, meaning “the player has unilaterally terminated his contract with our club”.

Lucas Torreira completed a loan move in the other direction while Matteo Guendouzi joined Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin on a season-long loan deal.

Manchester United signed Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani and Brazil defender Alex Telles as they moved to strengthen their squad in the wake of Sunday’s 6-1 humiliation by Tottenham.

Cavani, who has signed a one-year contract with the option to extend for a further year, moves to Old Trafford on a free transfer following his release from Paris St Germain this summer.

Cavani said on the club website: “Manchester United is one of the greatest clubs in the world, so it is a real honour to be here. I’ve worked really hard during the time off and I feel eager to compete and represent this incredible club.”

United are understood to have agreed a fee for £13.5million plus £1.8million in potential add-ons with Porto for left-back Telles.

Telles told his new club’s website: “To join a club with the prestige of Manchester United is a huge honour.

“You have to work hard to get to this moment in your career and now I am coming to this club, I can promise that I will give everything in my heart to be a success here.”

United have also reached an agreement to sign 18-year-old Atalanta winger Amad Diallo, who will join the Premier League club in January subject to a medical, personal terms and a work permit.

In addition, United have announced the signing from Sochaux of centre-back Willy Kambwala, who will join the Under-18s squad, while Chris Smalling has completed a permanent move to Roma.

Elsewhere, Southampton re-signed Theo Walcott from Everton after the Merseyside club landed Ben Godfrey from Norwich.

Walcott made his senior debut for the south-coast club as a 16-year-old, and has returned almost 15 years after his departure.

A club statement said: “Southampton Football Club is proud to announce that Theo Walcott, one of the most celebrated academy graduates in its history, has returned to St Mary’s.”

Norwich announced they had received a club-record fee for Godfrey, whose deal ties him to Everton until the end of June 2025.

The 22-year-old made 30 appearances for relegated Norwich in the Premier League last season and had been linked to a number of top-flight clubs this transfer window.

The centre-back completed a medical with the Premier League leaders over the weekend before the deal was announced on Monday morning.

Everton also completed the signing of goalkeeper Robin Olsen on loan from AS Roma.

Leeds have signed Brazilian winger Raphinha from Rennes for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around £17million.

Raphinha, 23, who helped Ligue 1 side Rennes secure Champions League football last season, has agreed a four-year deal.

Fulham landed Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek on a season-long loan deal.

After completing a short move across south-west London, Loftus-Cheek told Fulham’s official website: “I’m really happy to come ‘next door,’ if you will!

“I watched Fulham at the start of the season and they looked like they’re playing decent football. With this manager, I think I can get back to my best football. That’s the main thing for me, to find my form and help this team win games.”

The Cottagers had a busy day as they also signed Denmark centre-back Joachim Anderson on loan from Lyon until the end of the season and made a late swoop for for Manchester City centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old agreed a three-year deal at Craven Cottage, with Fulham holding the option to extend by an additional 12 months.

Loftus-Cheek was not the only player departing Stamford Bridge on loan, with midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko moving to Napoli for the rest of the campaign.

Tottenham midfielder Ryan Sessegnon has joined Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim on loan for the rest of the season.

The 20-year-old struggled to make an impact since joining Spurs for £25million last summer and was sent out to get some game-time.

Wolves defender Ruben Vinagre completed a season-long loan move to Olympiacos, with an option for the Greek champions to make the deal permanent.

Southampton allowed Sofiane Boufal and Guido Carrillo to leave on free transfers to Angers and Elche respectively, while defender Wesley Hoedt rejoined his previous club Lazio on loan.

Leicester forward Rachid Ghezzal joined Besiktas on a season-long loan. The Algeria international spent last term on a temporary deal with Fiorentina.