'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Premier League has witnessed several high-profile transfers in the last few weeks. With superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane all joining English clubs this summer, it wouldn't be far-fetched to say this has been one of the biggest transfer windows in the division in the last decade.
Meanwhile, it doesn't look like Premier League clubs have concluded their business yet. The transfer window shuts tomorrow, but several players are still being linked with moves to the division. With teams moving swiftly as they look to wrap up a few deals in the coming hours, there could be couple of transfers going through on deadline day.
Over the years, there have been some iconic deadline-day transfers in the English top flight over the years. Although spoiled with options, we think the names listed below make up the five greatest last-gasp signings the Premier League has ever witnessed:
Trending
#5 Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez to West Ham (August 31, 2006)
West Ham played a huge move by signing Argentine duo Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez from Brazilian club Corinthians on deadline day of the 2006 summer transfer window. They spent €15 million and €18 million, respectively, on the two players.
Tevez would go on to become a hero at the club, single-handedly saving them from relegation during the 2006-07 season. The striker bagged an amazing seven goals in the last ten games of the campaign to ensure West Ham finished three points above the relegation zone.
West Ham first raised €12 million from loaning the Argentine to Manchester United at the end of the term before selling him permanently to Manchester City for €29 million in the summer of 2009.
Mascherano, meanwhile, didn't have much success at the London Stadium. But his investment yielded profit too, as he left for Liverpool in a €2 million loan deal that was later made permanent for €23 million in July 2008.
#4 Claude Makelele to Chelsea ( August 31, 2003)
Claude Makelele was a vital figure in Real Madrid's star-studded lineup in the early 2000s before the Spanish giants made the mistake of selling him to Chelsea for €20 million in the summer of 2003. The Los Blancos faithful frowned at the move back then, but they were proven right as Makelele became a huge success at Stamford Bridge.
During his five-year stint with the Blues, the defensive midfielder made 217 appearances across all competitions, bagging two goals and six assists to his name. He won two Premier League titles, two Carling Cups and one FA Cup with the London-based club.
#3 Ashley Cole to Chelsea (August 31, 2006)
On deadline day in the summer of 2006, Chelsea pulled off one of the best transfers in their history by luring Ashley Cole away from their bitter rivals Arsenal. The defender went on to establish himself as one of the finest left-backs in Europe during an eight-year stint at Stamford Bridge.
Ashley Cole made 338 appearances for the Blues across competitions, recording seven goals and 38 assists to his name. He also won three Premier League titles, one Champions League crown, four FA Cups and one Carling Cup before leaving for AS Roma in the summer of 2014.
#2 Luis Suarez to Liverpool (January 31, 2011)
Luis Suarez's €27 million deadline move from Ajax to Liverpool in January 2011 proved to be a huge success. The Uruguayan became an instant hit at Anfield, bagging four goals and five assists in 13 Premier League appearances in the second half of the campaign before following that up with 17 goals and ten assists in 39 games in the subsequent season.
Suarez won the hearts of Liverpool fans with his potency in front of goal. He almost led the Reds to the Premier League title in the 2013-14 campaign, when he recorded 31 goals and 17 assists in 33 appearances. He won the prestigious Golden Shoe that season.
The Uruguayan eventually left for Barcelona for a massive €81 million in the summer of 2014, fetching Liverpool a profit of €54 million. Suarez concluded his Anfield stint with 84 goals and 47 assists across three-and-a-half seasons.
#1 Wayne Rooney to Manchester United (August 31, 2004)
Wayne Rooney joined Manchester United as an 18-year-old youngster on a deadline-day transfer on August 31, 2004.
The attacker got off to an electrifying start, scoring an incredible hat-trick against Fenerbache in front of the Old Trafford faithful on September 28, 2004. The rest, as they say, is history.
Wayne Rooney moved forward to become the all-time top scorer for Manchester United, with an unbelievable 253 goals and 146 assists in 559 appearances across all competitions. The Englishman won five Premier League titles, four Carling Cups, one FA Cup and four Community Shields during his time at the Old Trafford club.
He also won the Champions League, the Europa League and the Club World Cup once apiece with the Red Devils before leaving for Everton on a free transfer on July 9, 2017.
