Seven Premier League deadline-day deals that could reshape the season

The deadline-day deals with the most upside

Premier League clubs used deadline day to add a mixture of proven top-flight ability and high-ceiling young talent. Among the most intriguing moves were Brighton’s double swoop for Femi Azeez and Chema Andrés, Aston Villa’s £47m investment in Ibrahim Mbaye and Manchester City’s £65m deal for Iliman Ndiaye.

Femi Azeez: Millwall to Brighton, reported £15m

Brighton finally secured a long-standing target in Femi Azeez, agreeing an initial fee of £12.5m that could rise to £15m. The versatile midfielder built an impressive statistical case at Millwall, leading the Championship last season for open-play crosses with 227 and expected assists from crosses with 6.71.

Azeez also ranked highly for dribble attempts, shots and chances created from open play. His 9.12 expected assists compared with seven actual assists suggests Brighton may give him the finishers he lacked at Championship level.

Ibrahim Mbaye: Paris Saint-Germain to Aston Villa, £47m

At 18, Ibrahim Mbaye arrives at Aston Villa with an unusually substantial résumé. He has represented Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup, played in two Ligue 1 title-winning campaigns and won the Champions League in both seasons.

Mbaye’s greatest attraction is his ability to carry the ball. He ranked among Ligue 1’s leading players for carries, progressive carries and take-on-ending carries last season, while contributing 0.45 goals or assists per 90 minutes for Paris Saint-Germain. Aston Villa are paying for both immediate impact and long-term potential.

Kevin Danso: Tottenham to Sunderland, loan with buy obligation

Kevin Danso’s time at Tottenham was disrupted by limited opportunities behind Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, but he showed his value when called upon during the club’s fight against relegation.

The centre-back’s numbers point to a strong fit at Sunderland. Among Premier League players with at least 1,000 minutes last season, Danso ranked first for clearances and headed clearances, and fifth for aerial duels won. Sunderland’s preference for a low block should allow him to focus on the defensive strengths that made him reliable at Tottenham.

Iliman Ndiaye: Everton to Manchester City, £65m

Manchester City have doubled down on dribbling and one-versus-one ability with the signing of Iliman Ndiaye. The Senegal international ranked second in the Premier League last season for both dribbles attempted, with 136, and dribbles completed, with 73.

Those numbers place Ndiaye in a particularly eye-catching attacking group alongside Jérémy Doku, Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki. His arrival gives City another player capable of breaking defensive structures through direct running.

Matias Fernandez-Pardo: Lille to Newcastle, £51m

Matias Fernandez-Pardo’s versatility was central to Newcastle’s decision to spend £51m. He can operate from the left or lead the line, while his pace and purposeful ball-carrying make him a threat in behind.

In Ligue 1 last season, Fernandez-Pardo recorded 122 carries that progressed the ball at least 10 metres, ranked first for carries into the penalty area with 69 and seventh for carries ending in a shot or chance created.

Malick Fofana: Lyon to Sunderland, £30m

Sunderland are taking a calculated gamble on Malick Fofana after an ankle injury interrupted his development. Before that setback, the winger produced five goals and four assists in 1,586 Ligue 1 minutes during 2024-25.

Fofana’s pace and directness were his most compelling qualities. He ranked sixth among Ligue 1 forwards for carries per 90 and third for progressive carries per 90. If he returns to his previous level, Sunderland could have both an exciting attacker and a valuable future asset.

Chema Andrés: Stuttgart to Brighton, £20m

Chema Andrés joined Brighton to strengthen a midfield reshaped by Carlos Baleba’s move to Manchester United. The former Real Madrid academy player is not a like-for-like replacement, but his defensive intelligence gives Brighton a different profile at the base of midfield.

Comparisons with Rodri have focused on Andrés’s physical attributes and holding role rather than his influence in possession. His anticipation is the standout feature: he ranked second among Bundesliga midfielders for interceptions per 90 since the start of last season.

Smart recruitment, different profiles

The seven deals cover a broad range of recruitment strategies. Brighton have targeted technical and defensive potential, Sunderland have added players who suit their tactical identity, and Manchester City have invested in another elite ball-carrier. The common thread is upside: each signing offers a clear footballing fit as well as the possibility of becoming significantly more valuable.