You could almost hear the tumbleweed blow through Premier League HQ on Thursday night as Armando Broja completed his anticipated move from Chelsea to Fulham.
The window did not slam shut, it was delicately put back on the latch to end one of the most underwhelming transfer periods in recent memory after spending barely tickled £100million.
Broja’s trundle across west London represented the most high-profile deal and will cost Fulham an initial £750,000, and up to £4m depending on how many games the striker starts.
It was a significant climbdown from Chelsea as they had quoted Wolves and Fulham up to £50m for the 22-year-old earlier this week. Their hope is that the Albania international boosts his value by the summer so he can be sold and the cash reinvested in a striker such as Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
There was little other big-name action, typical of a sedentary month which will leave many demanding reform to the Profit and Sustainability Rules that have cast a shadow across the window. Initially brought in to protect clubs from self-destructing financially, there is a growing concern they are proving little more than a handicap.
Armando Broja’s move across west London was the biggest deal on a quiet deadline day – while Forest brought in keeper Matz Sels
Forest were one of the busiest sides – as midfielder Orel Mangala joined Lyon on loan
Nottingham Forest, who face potential sanction for their spending, still showed a penchant to wheel and deal. They made so many moves for goalkeepers on deadline day that even Peter Shilton must have thought he had a chance of a comeback.
After exhausting talks with Crystal Palace for Sam Johnstone, they had a £15m bid for liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher rejected before trying Rui Silva of Real Betis and Koen Casteels of Wolfsburg. Ultimately, they brought in Belgium’s Matz Sels, 31, for £5million.
Forest allowed keeper Ethan Horvath to join Cardiff while Orel Mangala joined Lyon, Joe Worrall set off to speak to Sheffield United and Serge Aurier joined Galatasaray.
Forest tried and failed to land Ajax forward Chuba Akpom but added Gio Reyna on loan from Borussia Dortmund and Ruben Ribeiro from Sporting Lisbon.
Pablo Fornals joined Real Betis from West Ham for £7m. There was late drama surrounding Said Benrahma, who headed off to Lyon in the morning only to find out on the deadline that his move was in jeopardy as the French club claimed West Ham had failed to fill in the Transfer Matching System form correctly.
There was late drama as Said Benrahma’s proposed move to Lyon from West Ham collapsed
Bournemouth signed Getafe’s former Manchester City striker Enes Unal on an initial loan
Crystal Palace signed midfielder Adam Wharton (pictured) for £22.5m from Blackburn
Bournemouth signed Getafe’s former Manchester City striker Enes Unal on an initial loan which includes an obligation to buy for £14m. That allowed Kieffer Moore to join Ipswich on loan. aston villa completed the £15m signing of Morgan Rogers from Middlesbrough.
Crystal Palace signed midfielder Adam Wharton for £22.5m from Blackburn who moved to add Liverpool defender Billy Koumetio on loan.
Tottenham convinced 17-year-old Sweden midfielder Lucas Bergvall to join them instead of Barcelona from Djurgardens. Spurs striker Alejo Veliz joined Sevilla on loan.
Newcastle had hoped for grander deals but still signed midfielder Alfie Harrison, 18, from manchester city and allowed Isaac Hayden to join qpr on loan. City youngster Josh Wilson-Esbrand joined Cardiff on loan.
Manchester United sold midfielder Isak Hansen-Aaroen, 19, to Werder Bremen but will retain a sell-on clause and matching rights.
Tottenham convinced Sweden midfielder Lucas Bergvall to join them instead of Barcelona
Mason Holgate curtailed his loan at Southampton to move from Everton to Sheffield United
Mason Holgate curtailed his loan at Southampton to move from Everton to Sheffield United until the end of the season.
Burnley confirmed the arrival of centre back Maxime Esteve from Montpellier and signed right back Lorenz Assignon on loan from Rennes. The Clarets sent right back Connor Roberts on loan to Leeds, who sent Ian Poveda to Sheffield Wednesday till the summer.
Brighton added Caylan Vickers, 19, from reading and sunderland’s Josh Robertson, 18. Jesse Lingard agreed a surprise two-year deal with FC Seoul.
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