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.

Chelsea have completed the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona, seeing the forward reunite with his former Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge.

Tuchel's side have been in the market for attacking reinforcements since allowing Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner to return to their respective former clubs, Inter and RB Leipzig, after disappointing spells in west London.

Aubameyang enjoyed a successful half-season in LaLiga after leaving Arsenal in January, scoring 11 goals in 17 league appearances for Barca last term – a tally only bettered by Memphis Depay (12 goals in 28 games).

That form has persuaded Chelsea to agree a deal worth £10.3million (€12m) for the striker, who has signed a two-year contract with the Blues.

It is expected that Marcos Alonso will head in the other direction, though seemingly as a separate deal.

After the signing was announced, Aubameyang told the club's website: "I'm really happy. It's an honour to be part of this team and I can't wait to start. I have some unfinished business with the Premier League so it's good to be back and really exciting."

Aubameyang will hope a reunion with Tuchel allows him to rediscover the goalscoring form that convinced Arsenal to part with a then-club record fee for his services back in 2018.

The Gabon international has scored more league goals (56) and recorded more goal contributions (63) under Tuchel than any other coach in his career to date.

Aubameyang racked up those figures in just 63 games under Tuchel at Dortmund, averaging a goal every 94 minutes in league action during the German's spell as Dortmund boss – also a career-high figure.

Earlier this month, Tuchel insisted he had no concerns about Aubameyang's attitude despite his difficulties at Arsenal.

"We had a very close relationship. Always when we played him here with Arsenal, there was always straight away this close bond," Tuchel said. "They stay your players, in a way, and Auba is one of these guys."

The 33-year-old could make his Chelsea debut against Leicester City on Saturday, with the Blues eyeing a response after suffering a chastening 3-0 loss at Leeds United last time out.

Everton have signed midfielder James Garner from Manchester United in a deal reportedly worth up to £15million.

Garner spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest, scoring four goals and providing 10 assists to help the club win promotion to the Premier League.

He was expected to be given a chance to impress new United manager Erik ten Hag, but he signed a four-year deal with the Toffees on Thursday after completing a transfer apparently worth an initial £9m.

"I'm made up to sign for Everton. It's a huge step in my career and I want to help the team get better while progressing as a player," Garner told Everton's official website.

"I think Everton is the perfect place to do that. I can't wait to get started. The manager [Frank Lampard] has got a real plan for the club and for me.

"Working with him on a daily basis is major for me. Him and his staff can take me and the team to the next level. That's what I'm hoping for."

Garner will have one less midfielder to compete with for a spot in the starting XI after Andre Gomes joined Lille on loan for the remainder of the season.

Meanwhile, there was another exit from United on deadline day, with Tahith Chong joining Championship side Birmingham City on a four-year deal.

Chong spent last season on loan at the Blues, scoring one goal in 20 appearances.  

Barcelona have completed the signing of full-back Hector Bellerin following an agreement with Arsenal to terminate his contract.

The 27-year-old joined the Gunners from Barca's youth ranks in 2011 and graduated from Arsenal's academy to become a regular in the first-team squad.

Named in the PFA Team of the Year in the 2015-16 season, Bellerin won the FA Cup three times with Arsenal, but ultimately fell out of favour under Mikel Arteta.

He joined Real Betis on loan last season, making 23 LaLiga appearances and helping Manuel Pellegrini's team win the Copa del Rey.

Betis were reportedly keen on signing Bellerin on a permanent basis but were unable to do so due to his wage demands, while Sassuolo were eager to bring him to Italy.

However, Barca have completed the move on a free transfer after Arsenal agreed to terminate his contract, which had one year left to run, having done similar to land Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January.

Bellerin adds to what has been a busy transfer period for Xavi at Barcelona, who have signed the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde and Raphinha, with Chelsea full-back Marcos Alonso also on the way.

Arteta told Arsenal's official website: "We say goodbye to Hector and we thank him so much for his loyalty and commitment to Arsenal Football Club. During his 11 years with Arsenal, Hector won three FA Cups and made nearly 250 appearances – such a huge contribution to the club.

"I'm privileged to have played in the same squad as Hector for three seasons, wearing the Arsenal shirt and sharing many great moments on and off the football pitch together. We thank you Hector and wish you and your family all the best for your return to Barcelona."

Memphis Depay has pledged his immediate future to Barcelona and says he is committed to the club's "sporting success."

The Netherlands international has yet to feature for the Catalan giants this season, and had been linked with a move to Serie A side Juventus.

Premier League clubs Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle United were also rumoured to be interested in signing the former Manchester United and Lyon forward.

However, the 28-year-old took to social media on Thursday to confirm he will not be leaving Camp Nou, posting on Twitter: "I have decided to stay at Barca! Fully committed to contribute to the club's sporting success."

One player who did leave Barca on transfer deadline day was Martin Braithwaite, who joined LaLiga rivals Espanyol.

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.

It was confirmed earlier on Thursday that the Denmark striker's contract had been terminated.

Arthur has swapped Juventus for Liverpool in a surprising season-long loan deal on transfer deadline day as Jurgen Klopp bolstered his midfield options.

Reports suggested the deal for the 26-year-old did not include an option to buy, but Juve confirmed that there is indeed a possibility for Liverpool to make the move permanent.

Arthur spent two years at Barcelona before moving to Serie A in 2020 in a €72million deal, but he made just 11 league starts in Italy last season and has not yet featured this term.

The Brazilian had previously been linked with Everton but instead joins the Toffees' city rivals for the rest of the season.

The deal follows Juventus signing Leandro Paredes on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, and means a fringe figure can be shuffled out of Massimiliano Allegri's large squad.

Liverpool have been struggling with injuries in midfield, and Arthur, albeit no stranger to an injury himself, adds to their options in that department.

The former Gremio player is a Brazil international who will be hoping to impress at club level to earn a place in Tite's World Cup squad.

Speaking to the club's website after the announcement, Arthur, who will wear the number 29, said: "I'm really, really happy to be here wearing this great shirt with this famous badge that represents so much in world football, it's a dream.

"We talked a lot, and our ideas and visions were a good fit so I'm sure it was the right choice. I'm really happy and highly motivated to continue living my dream on the pitch and giving my all in a Liverpool shirt."

He will be expected to add bite as much as flair to the Liverpool midfield, where he will provide cover for an area where Klopp has seen several players fall to injury already this season.

Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remain sidelined, while Jordan Henderson came off with a hamstring issue in Wednesday's 2-1 win against Newcastle United.

Arthur has swapped Juventus for Liverpool in a surprising season-long loan deal on transfer deadline day as Jurgen Klopp bolstered his midfield options.

Reports suggest the deal for the 26-year-old does not include an option to buy.

Arthur spent two years at Barcelona before moving to Serie A in 2020 in a €72million deal, but he made just 11 league starts in Italy last season and has not yet featured this term.

The Brazilian had previously been linked with Everton but instead joins the Toffees' city rivals for the rest of the season.

The deal follows Juventus signing Leandro Paredes on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, and means a fringe figure can be shuffled out of Massimiliano Allegri's large squad.

Liverpool have been struggling with injuries in midfield, and Arthur, albeit no stranger to an injury himself, adds to their options in that department.

The former Gremio player is a Brazil international who will be hoping to impress at club level to earn a place in Tite's World Cup squad.

Speaking to the club's website after the announcement, Arthur - who will wear the number 29 - said: "I'm really, really happy to be here wearing this great shirt with this famous badge that represents so much in world football, it's a dream.

"We talked a lot, and our ideas and visions were a good fit so I'm sure it was the right choice. I'm really happy and highly motivated to continue living my dream on the pitch and giving my all in a Liverpool shirt."

He will be expected to add bite as much as flair to the Liverpool midfield, where he will provide cover for an area where Klopp has seen several players fall to injury already this season.

Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remain sidelined, while Jordan Henderson came off with a hamstring issue in Wednesday's 2-1 win against Newcastle United.

Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani has told fans on social media the club has "been screwed up" following the collapse of a proposed transfer.

The Premier League side were negotiating to bring Bamba Dieng in from Marseille, with Radrizzani having earlier taken to Twitter to confirm a move was set to go ahead.

Replying to a fan, Radrizzani also acknowledged the intention to sign Cody Gakpo from PSV as Leeds pushed to bolster their attacking ranks before the transfer window shut on Thursday evening.

"Let's welcome Bamba Diang and we will continue to work on Gakpo. Now it's time to focus on the pitch and support our new project and the great job Jesse [Marsch] and the staff are doing," he posted.

However, Leeds' desire to land Diang from the Ligue 1 side fell flat following the emergence of Nice as rivals for the player's signature, leaving the deal at a crossroads.

Diang was reported to have been waiting at an airport while he decided whether he wanted to move to Elland Road or the French Riviera, then apparently electing for the latter option.

Radrizzani then returned to social media to address the situation and claimed they had been "screwed up".

"Part of the madness of deadline day. We have been screwed up, it happens even to the best ones," he said.

"We have done a great market, planned and executed our targets at a very early stage. Keep going."

Leeds have lost just one of their opening five Premier League matches this season and face Brentford on Saturday.

Aston Villa have announced the signing of Leander Dendoncker from Wolves amid rumours Douglas Luiz will join Arsenal before the transfer window closes.

Dendoncker initially joined Wolves on loan from Anderlecht ahead of the 2018-19 season, before making the move permanent ahead of the following campaign.

The 27-year-old, who has been capped 29 times by Belgium, scored 12 goals in 159 appearances across all competitions for Wolves.

He arrives at Villa Park for a reported fee of £13million.

His signature could be a sign that Villa boss Steven Gerrard is prepared to let Douglas Luiz join Arsenal.

The Gunners, who beat Villa 2-1 in the Premier League on Wednesday, have reportedly had multiple bids for the 24-year-old turned down, but they are expected to make at least one more before the window shuts on Thursday.

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."