The money just keeps on flowing. Record sums are being spent by clubs and we may still see the world transfer record fee broken later in the window. There are only a few days left before the major European leagues start and the clubs want the business done quickly even if it means shelling out more cash.
But there have also been some bargain buys which have gone under the radar. Certain clubs just can't spend the kind of money that is being spent by a select few. So, canny deals are made as well. Let's take a look at which deals and rumours made the headlines in the last week.
Done deals:
1. Gonzalo Higuain: From Napoli to Juventus for £75.3 million
Till now this has been the biggest deal of the summer. A whopping £75.3 million was spent by Juventus to prise Gonzalo Higuain away from Napoli. This is the third-most expensive transfer in history: The Argentinean is behind only Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo in that list. Higuain, 28, scored a record-equalling 36 goals in the Serie A last season for Napoli, as they finished second behind his new club, Juventus. The money for this deal is most likely coming from the imminent world-record transfer of Paul Pogba to Manchester United. Juventus have done excellent business as well. They signed Miralem Pjanic from AS Roma before Higuain and in doing so, weakened their nearest competitors.
2. Joe Allen: From Liverpool to Stoke for £13 million
Joe Allen moved to Stoke City from Liverpool for £13 million. The Welsh midfielder is still only 26 years old and seems a bargain given his talent. He was never really appreciated at Liverpool ever since former manager Brendan Rodgers dubbed him the "Welsh Xavi". Allen is a very good passer, but is not dynamic in play. He is more a player who suits a system rather than suiting any system. Stoke have made some fantastic buys since last summer and Allen will help the flair players do their bit by being the supplier. Stoke boss Mark Hughes has completely changed the way the team plays and is perceived in a short span.
3. Alexandre Pato: From Corinthians to Villarreal for £2.5 million
Claimed as the next big thing in Brazilian football less than a decade ago, Alexandre Pato had fallen by the wayside. His much-hyped loan move to Chelsea in January came to an underwhelming end as he only played two matches. But now it seems he has got his career back on track with a £2.5 million move to Spanish side Villarreal. It is not a straightforward transfer as Villarreal own only 60% of his economic rights and the striker himself owns the remaining 40%.
4. Kevin Gameiro: From Sevilla to Atletico Madrid for £28 million
French forward Kevin Gameiro was bought by Atletico Madrid from Spanish rivals Sevilla for £28 million. That is a lot of money for a 29-year-old, but he did star for Sevilla as they won three back-to-back UEFA Europa League titles. Atletico usually have great success with their forwards and this deal might help enable them to win La Liga for the second time in four years.
5. Alex Song: From Barcelona to Rubin Kazan for free
Cameroon midfielder Alex Song has moved to Russian side Rubin Kazan from Barcelona on a free transfer. The former Arsenal man spent the last two seasons on loan at West Ham United. The 28-year-old is still a quality player and not moving to a bigger European league is a bit of a surprise.
6. Ciro Immobile: From Sevilla to Lazio for £7.1 million
Italian Ciro Immobile has signed for Lazio in a deal reported to be around £7.1 million. He was the top scorer in the Serie A during the 2014-'15 season for Torino. He then switched to Borussia Dortmund, but that didn't work out. Immobile spent the last season on loan at both Sevilla and Torino. The striker, 26, will hope that he gets on the goal trail again in Italy.
7. Adriano: From Barcelona to Besiktas for £500,000 plus add-ons
Full-back and midfielder Adriano has left Barcelona for Besiktas for a mere £500,000 plus add-ons. The versatile player spent the last six seasons at the Catalan side, winning a whole host of titles. Now 31, Adriano will hope to continue on the trophy-laden path in Turkey.
8. Bafetimbi Gomis: From Swansea to Marseille on loan
Eccentric French striker Bafetimbi Gomis has joined Marseille on a season-long loan deal from Swansea. He only scored six goals in 33 matches last season and has fallen down the pecking order for the Welsh side. A move back to his homeland could reignite his career.
Rumours:
1. Romelu Lukaku: From Everton to Chelsea?
This is a rumour that just doesn't go away. Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is a rare manager who plays with two strikers and he has set his sights on Romelu Lukaku. The Everton No 9 left Chelsea for Everton in 2013 and has excelled with the Merseysiders. There is no buy-back option on the deal and Chelsea will have to pay around £65 million according to reports to bring him back.
2. Leonardo Bonucci: From Juventus to Manchester City?
Another transfer rumour that refuses to vanish is of Leonardo Bonucci moving away from Juventus. Manchester City are always rumoured to be interested in signing the centre-back. A deal in the region of £50 million is being reported, but it is highly unlikely that the Italian will leave the Serie A champions.
3. Bastian Schweinsteiger: From Manchester United to Bayern Munich?
Just after one season away from Bayern Munich, Bastian Schweinsteiger is reported to be heading back to the German champions. Reports suggest Jose Mourinho does not see Schweinsteiger in his plans for Manchester United and would rather not select him at all if there is no deal at the table. But Bayern could help him resume his club career back in Germany. Schweinsteiger recently retired from international duty and is still seen as a legend among Bayern fans. A move back could be a good option.
4. Blaise Matuidi: From PSG to Juventus?
French midfielder Blaise Matuidi is a transfer target for Juventus, if reports are to be believed. Matuidi is a versatile player who can play in an attacking and defensive midfield role. It is hard to see how Juventus can tempt Paris Saint-Germain to part company with one of their most influential players though.
5. Adnan Januzaj and Marouane Fellaini: From Manchester United to Sunderland?
Ever since Sunderland appointed David Moyes as their new manager, reports have linked Manchester United duo Adnan Januzaj and Marouane Fellaini to join their former manager. Fellaini was signed twice by Moyes – at Everton and United – and Januzaj was given his first-team debut at by the Scotsman with the Red Devils. While reports suggest that current United boss Mourinho feels Fellaini could be important in his plans, Januzaj is welcome to leave.
6. Marko Arnautovic: From Stoke to Everton?
Austrian forward Marko Arnautovic has been linked with a move to Everton. The Toffees were willing to match his release clause of £12.5 million, but reports claim that he is thinking of rejecting the switch and signing a new deal with Stoke City.
7. Alexandre Lacazette: From Lyon to Arsenal/PSG?
Alexandre Lacazette is again linked with Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain. The forward is seen as an important player at Lyon and a deal to sign him could involve a fee around £40 million. That would suggest that Arsenal are out of the running, but according to reports they are front-runners to sign him if Lyon agree to sell.
8. Leonardo Ulloa: From Leicester to Swansea?
Leicester City striker Leonardo Ulloa is a transfer target for Swansea City. The Argentinean was crucial for Leicester in their quest to Premier League glory last season. He was mostly used as a substitute, but delivered almost every single time. But according to reports, Ulloa wants more starts and could consider a move away from the Premier League champions.
9. Shkodran Mustafi: From Valencia to Arsenal?
The German central defender is rumoured to join Arsenal for a fee of around £25.3 million in addition to a further £8.4 million in add-ons. The German World Cup winner is currently playing for Spanish side Valencia. Arsenal's Per Mertesacker has been ruled out for a few months and Shkodran Mustafi could be an ideal replacement.
10. Jonny Evans: From West Brom to Arsenal?
This is probably the most unlikely transfer to occur, but stranger things have happened before. West Brom's Jonny Evans has been linked with a move to Arsenal for a fee of £16 million. This is also a knock-on effect from Mertesacker's injury. Evans is a three-time Premier League winner with Manchester United and his experience could be important for the Gunners in the coming season. West Brom head coach Tony Pulis sees Evans as a key player for the team and hence the high price tag for the 28-year-old Northern Irish international.