One of the most splendid summer transfer windows has finally come to a close with great transfers and loan deals. Premier League clubs have splashed around £1.04bn on 103 permanent signings for disclosed fees during the summer transfer window.
The clubs had 12 weeks to finalize transfer deals from 9th June to 31st August 2021. The mega-transfers of Lionel Messi to PSG and Cristiano Ronaldo returning to Old Trafford made this summer a historic one.
Deadline day itself was a major talking point this summer that saw Antoine Griezmann's shock return at the Wanda Metropolitano and the completion of Saul Niguez to Chelsea to name a couple. Real Madrid paid big money to acquire rising star Eduardo Camavinga on the deadline day.
This summer also saw many loan deals. A loan deal can be very handy for all involved parties as the player gets much-needed game time at his new temporary club. Few loan deals can be as astute as they get when they have a purchase option added to them as well.
While there were many permanent deals during the window, the loan deals weren't as low in numbers as well. We saw numerous loan deals confirming during the deadline day as well. In this article, we will look at the 5 best loaned out players who could explode this season.
5. Billy Gilmour to Norwich City
One of the stars of Norwich's promotion campaign was Tottenham loanee Oliver Skipp. He missed just 1 game and played nearly 4,000 minutes as the Canaries finished 6 points clear at the top.
So when the Englishman returned to White Hart Lane this summer, Daniel Farke needed a top-class replacement. Norwich have taken a chance on Chelsea youngster Billy Gilmour.
Completing 90-minutes just 6 times for Chelsea, the 20-year old has as many international minutes as club ones. But he has slotted swiftly into the Norwich lineup; with the opening fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester City a stern test of his talent.
While the team was at fault during these matches, Scott has shown himself to be a leader. He has averaged 5 defensive actions and more passes than anyone in the squad in the opening fixtures. Not to mention that he has sustained an impressive 100 percent dribble success rate.
Norwich may be favorites for relegation but the way they play football is simpatico to the big sides. It makes Carrow Road Stadium the perfect place for big sides to loan out their prodigious young talent.
With Kante now 29 and Jorginho approaching 31, Gilmour will be hoping that he can persuade Thomas Tuchel to put away his checkbook next summer.
4. Francisco Trincao to Wolverhampton Wanderers
PSG aren't the only beneficiaries of Barcelona's financial issues this summer. Leeds United have snapped Junior Firpo, Nice have snapped Jean-Clair Todibo and Wolves have loaned Francisco Trincao.
The Portuguese winger joined Blaugrana for a massive £28 million just a year ago. The former Braga attacker broke out in 2019-20 with 16 goal involvements in 27 Primeira Liga games.
Though he found less game time in Catalonia, he impressed when he played. He bagged a goal or an assist every 137 minutes last season. Trincao is a creative spark that Wolves have been crying out for.
With the option of buying the Portuguese international set at £25 million in the loan deal, Wolves can test out the winger at virtually zero risk, making this one a no-brainer.
3. Brahim Diaz to AC Milan
Returning to Milan after a loan last season, reports vary on whether Brahim Diaz's new two-year switch from Real Madrid contains an option to buy. But the 22-year old Spaniard seems set to star for the Rossoneri either way.
He delivered seven goals and assists in 15 starts for the club in 2021. He kicked off the season with the winner against Sampdoria following an assist against Cagliari. He knows that he'll be entrusted with a more central role this season after the departure of Hakan Çalhanoğlu to Inter Milan.
When he got on to the pitch, Diaz was taking a healthy 3.4 shots per 90 minutes. His ball retention is also superb with an 86 percent pass accuracy in the top 2 percent of European forwards.
Due to a significant number of Covid absences, Diaz earned his first senior cap for Spain in June 2021 and scored on his debut to confirm his promise. It'll be exciting to see how he develops alongside fellow youngster Rafael Leao at the sharp end of the Milan stick.
2. Nuno Mendes to PSG
Just when you thought PSG had concluded their remarkable transfer window following the acquisition of one of the world's best Lionel Messi, they captured one of the most sought-after left-backs in Europe on loan on the deadline day.
The highly-rated left-back swapped Portugal for France on the final day of the summer transfer window, moving to the Parc des Princes from Estadio Jose Alvalade. The 19-year-old has joined on a season-long loan that will include a purchase option for the Ligue 1 giants. PSG midfielder Pablo Sarabia went the other way and joined Sporting on loan.
The only position where PSG looked a bit frail was in their left-back spot. With the arrival of Nuno Mendes, they might not need to say this again. The French giants used Abdou Diallo at left-back, where he looked slightly infirm last season.
Nuno Mendes' impressive 5.2 crosses attempted per 90 overshadows Diallo's 0.8. While the former Sporting man is excellent in dribbling and ball retention, his 2.4 interceptions per 90 is well ahead of his compatriot's 1.5.
Mendes was highly in demand among big clubs, including Arsenal and Manchester City, but his loan arrival at the Parc des Princes proves what a dream team they have built now.
1. Antoine Griezmann to Atletico Madrid
This loan move truly came out of the blue during the last hours of the deadline day. Griezmann never settled at Camp Nou. His form kept on being hot and cold, majorly the latter.
The French international left Atlético for Barcelona in a €120m deal in 2019, where he bagged 38 goals in 114 games. Barcelona's structure did not suit the best for the former Real Sociedad man and he struggled to impress.
Though he was in Koeman's plans at the club, the board had different ideas. In a larger view, it might be a good switch for all the related parties. Barcelona have freed up £350,000-a-week from their wage bill while Griezmann playing under Simeone might work wonders for Atletico again.
Atletico Madrid have an obligation to buy in the loan deal the French international for £40 million. Barcelona have given the Spanish champions the option of signing him permanently next summer or in 2023. He can really compliment talents like Angel Correa, Matheus Cunha, Carrasco and Luis Suarez with his build-up play and vision.