Inter have completed a season-long loan deal for Lazio defender Francesco Acerbi.

The Italy international will spend the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign at San Siro, where he will wear the number 15 shirt.

Inter had been targeting Acerbi for several weeks, with Simone Inzaghi keen to strengthen his options in the heart of the Nerazzurri defence.

Club president Steven Zhang reportedly blocked the deal initially due to concerns over increasing the wage bill, but has since given the green light for the 34-year-old to join the ranks.

Acerbi is Inter's seventh signing in a window that has also seen the arrivals of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Andre Onana, and the return of Romelu Lukaku.

The centre-half brings a wealth of experience to the back line, having also appeared for Chievo, Milan and Sassuolo in Serie A, while chalking up over 30 appearances in each of the last eight seasons.

Acerbi, who was yet to feature this term under Maurizio Sarri, was also part of the Italy's victorious squad at Euro 2020, playing in three of the Azzurri's seven matches.

He could make his Inter debut against former side Milan when the rivals lock horns on Saturday.

Milan have confirmed the capture of Barcelona defender Sergino Dest on a season-long loan deal, with a reported €20million option to make it a permanent transfer for the Serie A champions.

United States international Dest makes the move from Camp Nou to San Siro after two seasons with the Blaugrana, where he was a member of their 2021 Copa del Rey triumph under Ronald Koeman.

But opportunities have proved more limited since Xavi succeeded the Dutchman at the helm and a succession of hamstring issues seriously hampered the 21-year-old's progress last term.

Now, he will move to Serie A from LaLiga as he looks to pick up crucial minutes ahead of the USMNT's campaign at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, with the versatile back looking to ensure he is on the plane to the tournament.

He joins as Milan's second recruit of deadline day, with the Serie A champions also landing Aster Kranckx from Wolfsburg - again on loan with an option to purchase.

The Belgian youth international moved to the Bundesliga side in 2020 from KV Mechelen and, alongside Dest, takes the number of signings for Milan in the window to seven.

The defending champions stand undefeated in their opening four matches of their title defence, picking up eight points, and face arch-rivals Inter on Saturday.

Paris Saint-Germain have further bolstered their midfield with the signing of Valencia's Carlos Soler.

Soler, who had spent his entire senior career with his hometown club, has penned a five-year contract with the Ligue 1 champions, who will reportedly pay €18million plus add-ons for his services.

The 25-year-old, who started out as a winger before moving into a more central role, scored 11 goals and added five assists in 32 league appearances for Los Che last term.

"I'm very happy! It’s a new adventure in my career. I feel very proud and I’m looking forward to starting work with my teammates, to meeting them, and giving everything for this shirt," he told the club's official website.

"On Tuesday, we're playing our first Champions League game at the Parc des Princes, and it'll be an opportunity for me to get to know it. I'm certain that it'll be a great party for everyone and for the fans."

The Spain international is the sixth new arrival of a busy transfer window at the Parc des Princes, and the fourth new midfielder signed by PSG after Vitinha, Renato Sanches and Fabian Ruiz.

Christophe Galtier's side saw their perfect start to the new season halted by a 1-1 draw with Monaco last time out, but are still top of the Ligue 1 table with 10 points from their first four games.

Soler's departure means Valencia have lost both of their joint-top goalscorers from the 2021-22 campaign after Goncalo Guedes was sold to Wolves, though James Rodriguez has been touted as a potential replacement for the PSG new boy.

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Julian Draxler has joined Benfica on a season-long loan deal.

The Germany international will spend the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign at Estadio da Luz, where he will wear the number 93 shirt.

Draxler is Roger Schmidt's eighth signing of the window as he seeks regular playing time ahead of the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

The 28-year-old is yet to appear this season for PSG, for whom he has scored 26 goals in 198 appearances across all competitions since arriving from Wolfsburg in 2017.

However, a series of injuries have prevented Draxler securing a regular place in the starting line-up in recent seasons.

Indeed, a knee problem ruled him out for the final weeks of the 2021-22 campaign, in which he made just five league starts under Mauricio Pochettino.

Draxler could make his debut when Benfica welcome Vizela to Estadio da Luz in the Primeira Liga on Friday. Schmidt's side have made a perfect start to their league campaign, winning each of their opening four games.

Deadline day has seen major transfers aplenty, with clubs across Europe pushing to complete final pieces of business before the window slams shut until 2023.

Barcelona have terminated Martin Braithwaite's contract, the forward widely expected to join Espanyol, while in France, Abdou Diallo completed a switch to RB Leipzig to begin an exodus from Paris Saint-Germain.

Further deals for both clubs are also on the cards, with a frantic end to the window expected in the final hours.

Premier League's power push

PSG's exodus was of benefit to English sides, Fulham signing Layvin Kurzawa on loan and Everton bringing Idrissa Gueye back to Merseyside three years after he left for the French capital. Gueye said: "There is no better feeling than coming back home. I've followed the team every week and watched how they play. For me, there is no better place than Everton so that's why I chose to come back here."

Fulham have also signed former Chelsea and Arsenal playmaker Willian on a free transfer.

Nottingham Forest hit number 19 for the window, drafting in Willy Boly from Wolves, while Southampton saw Jack Stephens move across the south coast to join Bournemouth on loan.

Arsenal's quest for a new midfielder has seen attention turn to Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz, though the Gunners face a stern test with bids reportedly rebuffed from the side they defeated 2-1 on Wednesday.

Chelsea look set to bring one of the long-running sagas of the window to a close, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang poised to join from Barcelona. Marcos Alonso is expected to move to Camp Nou as part of that deal and the Blues may sell Billy Gilmour to Brighton and Hove Albion.

One player not on the move, however, was Joao Pedro as he confirmed he would remain at Watford amid reported interest from Newcastle United and Everton.

Europe's eye for business

On the continent, Julian Weigl moved to Borussia Monchengladbach on loan from Benfica. 

Free agent Florian Grillitsch has joined Ajax, who are said to have turned down approaches from Chelsea and Everton for Edson Alvarez and Mohammed Kudus respectively.

Krzysztof Piatek also departed Germany, leaving Hertha Berlin for Serie A side Salertina, and was followed to Italy by Aster Vranckx, joining Milan on loan from Wolfsburg.

The Serie A champions are not yet finished, with an announcement confirming the capture of Sergino Dest from Barcelona expected imminently.

In Spain, Luca Zidane, son of Zinedine Zidane, joined second-tier outfit Eibar on a free transfer following his exit from Rayo Vallecano and Ilaix Moriba joined Valencia on loan from Leipzig, with Gennaro Gattuso's side also closing in on signing Justin Kluivert from Roma following the collapse of a proposed move to the Premier League.

Real Sociedad were also in on the late action, landing forward Umar Sadiq from Tenerife, the Nigerian likely to be a replacement for Alexander Isak.

Manchester United have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Martin Dubravka from Newcastle United.

The 33-year-old joins on an initial one-year loan which United have the option to make permanent, an option they will be obligated to take if he makes a certain number of appearances.

Reports suggest the Red Devils will pay a loan fee of around £2million, with the potential obligation to buy set at £6m.

United had earlier in the day confirmed the capture of Brazil international Antony from Ajax, with the Premier League club expected to pay an £81.3million (€95m) fee for the winger.

Dubravka joined Newcastle in 2018 from Czech side Sparta Prague and has since made 127 Premier League appearances for the Magpies, keeping 37 clean sheets, and was named Newcastle's player of the year in the 2019-20 campaign.

However, the signing of Nick Pope from Burnley this transfer window pushed the Slovakia international down the pecking order and he has now made the switch to Old Trafford.

Dubravka will be back-up to David de Gea, after United loaned out Dean Henderson to Nottingham Forest.

Upon signing, Dubravka told the club's website: "To be joining Manchester United is a special moment in my career and I can't wait to get started, and help the group achieve its ambitions.

"I am joining an excellent group of goalkeepers with lots of experience in the Premier League, and I know that we will push and support each other to keep our standards at the highest levels. The chance to work with David de Gea, alongside Tom Heaton, is one that I am relishing.

"I'd like to sincerely thank everyone at Newcastle United, and especially the fans, for many great experiences over the past four and a half years. I enjoyed every minute of my time there and made amazing memories to look back on.

"My focus is now on helping Manchester United, and we'll see what the future holds after I have given my all this season. I am excited to be here."

Fulham have confirmed the signing of former Chelsea playmaker Willian on a free transfer, as well as completing a loan move for Paris Saint-Germain's Layvin Kurzawa.

Willian, who left Corinthians in August after receiving death threats, had re-joined the Brazilian side last year when he had his contract with Arsenal terminated. 

The 34-year-old only spent a year at Emirates Stadium, having failed to come close to replicating the success he enjoyed in a seven-season stint at Chelsea.

Willian, who has penned a one-year deal, has now made the return to London with Fulham, who have enjoyed a bright start to the Premier League season under Marco Silva.

"I'm happy to be here, I'm happy to be back in the Premier League," Willian told the club's website. "Fulham is a special club, a club that wants to improve, that wants to fight for something bigger, so I'm here to help, and I cant wait to get started."

Willian marked Fulham's second acquisition of the final day of the transfer window, following on from Kurzawa.

The French left-back has signed on loan for the remainder of the season.

"I feel very, very happy to be here. It's a family here, everyone is very cool," said Kurzawa. "I've watched every Fulham game this season, and I can't wait to play with this team."

Fulham are reportedly in talks with Leeds United to sign winger Daniel James before the deadline, while also targeting PSV striker Carlos Vinicius, who spent the 2020-21 season on loan at Tottenham.

Barcelona and Martin Braithwaite have agreed to terminate the contract of the Denmark striker.

The 31-year-old joined the club from Leganes in February 2020, with Barca having been granted an emergency extension to complete the signing outside of the transfer window following an injury to Ousmane Dembele.

Braithwaite made an impact in the 2020-21 season, scoring a brace in the Champions League against Dynamo Kyiv, but an injury last term led to an extended absence.

He returned from fitness to be informed he was no longer required at Camp Nou, with Barcelona pushing to terminate the forward's deal throughout the window in order to free up new recruits to be registered.

Barcelona were unable to do so, however, until the final day of the transfer window, with it widely reported Braithwaite will make the short trip across the city to join rivals Espanyol.

"Barcelona and Martin Braithwaite have reached an agreement to terminate the contract binding the player to the club until the end of the 2023-24 season," a statement read.

"Barcelona publicly expresses its gratitude to Braithwaite for his commitment and dedication and wishes him the best of fortune and every success in the future."

Xavi's side are set for a busy period in the final hours of the transfer window, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Sergino Dest poised to complete departures.

Incoming deals are also on the cards in the form of defenders Hector Bellerin and Marcos Alonso from Arsenal and Chelsea respectively.

Cristiano Ronaldo was on the move on transfer deadline day – but only as a passenger on the Manchester United team bus for the Premier League trip to Leicester City.

The prospect of Ronaldo finding a new club looked certain to come to nothing, despite the 37-year-old forward being linked with the likes of Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Sporting CP and Napoli.

Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic revealed he spoke to Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes about the Portugal great, but there was never any real prospect of him joining the Bundesliga champions.

Ronaldo has been widely reported as being keen to play in this season's Champions League, but doors have repeatedly closed on that possibility with clubs distancing themselves from suggestions they might be keen suitors.

The man who became Real Madrid's record goalscorer during a nine-year stint in Spain is facing up to the prospect of Europa League action with United, a step down from the familiar elite level for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

He was set for Premier League duty on Thursday evening, with Sky Sports News stating Ronaldo was travelling to the Leicester game with his United team-mates.

Salihamidzic said of Ronaldo: "He's an incredibly big personality. A big player who has made his mark on the world of football in recent years.

"It wasn't an option for us because we were doing other things and before that we organised our attack in such a way.

"But you don't have to feel sorry for him. He's a great footballer who has achieved great things in recent years."

Asked if he had spoken to Ronaldo's agent, Salihamidzic told Germany's Sky Sport: "I often talk to Jorge Mendes. Yes, we spoke."

Tottenham's Harry Kane was also linked with Bayern during the transfer window, albeit without any apparent genuine prospect of a deal being done.

England captain Kane is said to have admirers within the Bayern ranks, but Salihamidzic would not be drawn on whether the Bavarian giants would consider a move for him next year.

"It's too early to talk about it," said Salihamidzic. "If you look at our attack now: we have eight players for four positions. If you look at the training sessions, it's great fun to watch.

"Some training games are better than Bundesliga games. That's why it's much too early to talk about it. The way we played offensively and scored so many goals, I'm very happy about that."

Jamal Musiala is "not for sale", says Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic, adding they would be "crazy" to let him go, even in the face of a hypothetical nine-figure bid for the Germany international.

The attacking midfielder has made a fine start to the new campaign for the Bundesliga champions and is almost a lock for former boss Hansi Flick when it comes to the national team selection ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

In a window that has seen German football raided for key talents though - with both Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski and Borussia Dortmund frontman Erling Haaland departing - questions have been asked about his future.

Speaking ahead of the final transfer deadline day of the year though, Salihamidzic has played down any suggestion the club would be forced into a sale for the 19-year-old, citing it as "important" that he remains with them.

"We brought him to Munich three years ago and we saw great qualities in him," he told Sky Sport Germany. "The fact he has developed like this is due to our staff, oir players.

"He is doing excellently. It's fun to watchh him. He is a big win for our team. It is important that he stays with Bayern for a long time."

Questioned whether the club would even entertain an eye-watering €100million-plus bid for Musiala, Salihamidzic doubled down on his statements, adding: "We want to offer our players attactive football.

"It is important that Jamal plays for Bayern for a long time. Of course he is not for sale. He's an amazing boy, a Germany international.

"We need a guy like that. If I were to think about giving this boy away somehow, I'd be crazy. He will play for Bayern for a long time."

Musiala netted in Bayern's 5-0 demolition job against Viktoria Koln earlier this week in the DFB-Pokal and is expected to feature in their Bundesliga clash with Union Berlin this weekend.

Senegal defender Abdou Diallo has confirmed his exit from Paris Saint-Germain to join Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig.

The African Cup of Nations winner has moved to Germany on loan for the forthcoming season, with Leipzig having an option to make a permanent move for a fee reported to stand at €20m.

Taking to social media, the defender wrote to PSG: "I wish you the best for this season. Dream, achieve and celebrate because you deserve it."

In a separate post, he added: "Come on RB Leipzig."

Diallo previously played for Borussia Dortmund, the 27-year-old joining PSG in 2019, and is expected to feature in the heart of defence alongside Josko Gvardiol, who has penned a contract extension. 

PSG have seen a wealth of departures ahead of the 2022 season, with Alphonse Areola, Georginio Wijnaldum, Ander Herrera and Leandro Paredes among those leaving Parc des Princes.

Diallo becomes Leipzig's fifth recruit of the window, following the signings of David Raum, Timo Werner, Xaver Schlager and Janis Blaswich.

Manchester United and Manchester City got deals over the line early on deadline day – but there was plenty of time still to go before the transfer market closed.

The Premier League north-west giants strengthened, with United sealing the big-money signing of Ajax winger Antony and City adding another asset in Manuel Akanji from Borussia Dortmund.

Many others were looking to do business in the market before time ran out.

Premier League teams race to wrap up big deals

As well as Antony moving to United for a fee thought to be around £81.3million (€95m), and Akanji fortifying City's defensive ranks, a host of their English rivals were also pushing to bring in new faces.

Liverpool looked set to bring in Brazil midfielder Arthur from Juventus on loan for the season.

With Wesley Fofana having made the leap to Chelsea, Leicester City found a replacement in Belgian defender Wout Faes who arrived from Reims on a five-year deal.

That will be a move that sets the Foxes back around £15million, but manager Brendan Rodgers will hope the 24-year-old can help to revive their struggling season.

Southampton had been pursuing a move for PSV Eindhoven's Cody Gakpo, but while their approach has been reportedly rebuffed, Saints have parted company with Oriol Romeu.

The Spaniard returns home to LaLiga, joining Girona for an undisclosed fee after seven years at St Mary's.

European markets busy in early trading

Barcelona were expected to be busy later in the day, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looking set to join Chelsea and Martin Braithwaite reportedly close to signing for Espanyol.

Sevilla secured a loan move for Kasper Dolberg from Nice, with the Denmark forward looking to secure his place in the national squad ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. That followed Sevilla loaning Lucas Ocampos to Ajax on Wednesday, and the LaLiga side signing free agent Adnan Januzaj.

Ligue 1 side Troyes announced the signing of Manchester City's Colombian forward Marlos Moreno on a two-year deal.

Josko Gvardiol landed a contract extension with RB Leipzig on Thursday and insisted he never wanted to leave.

Chelsea were strongly linked this week with Gvardiol and were said to be targeting a €90million (£77m) move for the defender.

That has not come off and the 20-year-old former Dinamo Zagreb player has extended his contract with Leipzig by a year to run until 2027 instead.

He moved to Leipzig in July last year, after a deal was agreed in the previous September.

Gvardiol was one of only four defenders in the Bundesliga last season to make at least 50 interceptions and 200 recoveries while also committing no errors that led to a goal.

Croatia international Gvardiol said: "I really enjoy being here and I wanted to stay here. We have a lot of work to do and a lot to achieve here. We have a good team and we're ready.

"We're in the Champions League and won the DFB-Pokal last season. We want to compete for trophies once again.

"I'm grateful to the club for counting on me and planning with me long-term."

Manchester City have completed the signing of defender Manuel Akanji from Borussia Dortmund for a reported fee of £15.1million (€17.4m)

The Switzerland international has put pen to paper on a five-year deal for the Premier League champions, and will wear the number 25 shirt at the Etihad Stadium.

Akanji will provide further competition for a place in the heart of Pep Guardiola's defence, with Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake injured.

The 27-year-old, who was into the final year of his contract at Signal Iduna Park, is the second player to swap Dortmund for City during this window after Erling Haaland, alongside whom he won the German Cup in 2021.

Akanji played 158 times for BVB across all competitions after arriving from Basel in 2018, scoring four goals, but had not appeared under new head coach Edin Terzic at the start of this season.

"I am delighted to be here, and can’t wait to get started," Akanji told the club's official website. "City have been one of the best teams in Europe over the last few seasons.

"They are brilliant to watch, play an exciting brand of football and compete for trophies year in, year out, so coming here feels like the perfect next step in my career.  

"Pep Guardiola is an exceptional manager, and this is an exceptional squad of players, so this is an exciting opportunity for me. 

"I am really looking forward to testing myself in the Premier League and I will do everything I can to help this club be successful."

Akanji could make his City debut on Saturday when Guardiola's men travel to struggling Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Manchester City have completed the signing of defender Manuel Akanji from Borussia Dortmund for a reported fee of £15.1million (€17.4m)

The Switzerland international has put pen to paper on a five-year deal for the Premier League champions, and will wear the number 25 shirt at the Etihad Stadium.

Akanji will provide further competition for a place in the heart of Pep Guardiola's defence, with Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake injured.

The 27-year-old, who was into the final year of his contract at Signal Iduna Park, is the second player to swap Dortmund for City during this window after Erling Haaland, alongside whom he won the German Cup in 2021.

Akanji played 158 times for BVB across all competitions after arriving from Basel in 2018, scoring four goals, but had not appeared under new head coach Edin Terzic at the start of this season.

"I am delighted to be here, and can’t wait to get started," Akanji told the club's official website. "City have been one of the best teams in Europe over the last few seasons.

"They are brilliant to watch, play an exciting brand of football and compete for trophies year in, year out, so coming here feels like the perfect next step in my career.  

"Pep Guardiola is an exceptional manager, and this is an exceptional squad of players, so this is an exciting opportunity for me. 

"I am really looking forward to testing myself in the Premier League and I will do everything I can to help this club be successful."

Akanji could make his City debut on Saturday when Guardiola's men travel to struggling Aston Villa in the Premier League.