Ronaldo, James and Niguez: Premier League transfer window round-up

Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Manchester United was confirmed on Tuesday as Premier League clubs scrambled to strengthen before the close of the transfer window.

United announced on Friday a deal had been struck with Juventus to bring the five-time Ballon d'Or winner back to Old Trafford for a fee that could rise to £20 million ($27m) for the 36-year-old.

The Portugal captain scored 118 goals in 292 games during his first spell at United, winning his first Ballon d'Or and Champions League title, as well as three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and two League Cups.

“This is absolutely 100 per cent the stuff that dreams are made of,” Ronaldo posted on Instagram.

Ronaldo's return has already had a knock-on effect with United winger Daniel James joining Leeds United for a reported £25m.

The Wales winger has started two of United's three Premier League games so far this season, but was expected to struggle for game time once Ronaldo arrived and Marcus Rashford and Edinson Cavani returned to full fitness.

James was on the verge of joining Leeds in January 2019 from Swansea before a deadline day deal collapsed.

“It's all happened in the last day or two,” said James. “ I got my head around it and this is where I wanted to be moving forward.”

Chelsea were active late on Tuesday, securing the long anticipated loan signing of Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez despite a last minute technical glitch which meant the transfer had not been confirmed by either club before the midnight CET deadline.

Local media said the delay was caused by a problem with with LaLiga's transfer registration system, however, and the documentation had been correctly submitted in time.

The Spain international, who came through the Atleti academy after joining aged 13 and made 340 appearances for the club, joins Chelsea until the end of the season.

Local media reports said the European champions had paid a 5 million euro ($5.90 million) loan fee to secure his services, with a 40 million euro option to buy included in the deal.

Chelsea had also been linked with a move for Sevilla's Jules Kounde which didn't materialise.

Manchester City made no further additions to their squad.

Liverpool did not add to their only signing of the window, centre-back Ibrahima Konate, but secured the future of captain Jordan Henderson on a long-term contract that runs till 2025.

Top-of-the-table Tottenham Hotspur helped ease Barcelona's financial woes by forking out €30m deal for Brazilian right-back Emerson Royal.

At the other end of the table, rock bottom Arsenal took their summer spending to £150m after agreeing a £20m fee with Bologna for Japanese international defender Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Hector Bellerin left the Gunners to join Real Betis on loan, while Reiss Nelson joined Feyenoord on a season-long deal.

West Ham have strengthened before a busy season which will take in Europa League football with the signing of Croatia midfielder Nikola Vlasic.

The 23-year-old, who previously had an unsuccessful stint in England at Everton, joins from CSKA Moscow for a reported initial fee of £26.8m having been named Russian Premier League player of the year in 2020.

“I was really impressed with how determined Nikola was to become a West Ham player,” said Hammers manager David Moyes. “It's that hunger and ambition that fits with what we are trying to build here at the club.”

West Ham went back to the Czech Republic a short time later to sign midfielder Alex Kral from Spartak Moscow.

Leicester have bolstered their attacking options with the arrival of Ademola Lookman on loan from RB Leipzig.

Everton manager Rafael Benitez was reunited at a third different club with Venezuelan striker Salomon Rondon.

The 31-year-oldjoined the Toffees from Dalian, having been brought to China by Benitez in 2019 and previously worked with the Spaniard at Newcastle United.

Rondon will replace Moise Kean, who rejoined Juventus on a two-year loan with an obligation to buy.

Brighton signed Spain left-back Marc Cucurella for £15m after paying his buyout clause from La Liga side Getafe.

And Crystal Palace completed a deal for Celtic's French under-21 striker Odsonne Edouard for an initial £15m.