From the Tevez-Mascherano saga to Ronaldo’s return: The most dramatic Premier League deadline day deals ever

With transfer deadline day upon us, we look back at the most memorable and dramatic last-gasp summer signings in Premier League history.

Wayne Rooney – Everton to Man United (2004)

Wayne Rooney was football's hottest property in the summer of 2004. Fresh from starring at that summer's European Championship with England, the 18-year-old had the Premier League's top teams in a tug-of-war. Newcastle and Chelsea both had interest, but it was Manchester United who won the race.

The £27m fee made Rooney the most expensive teenager of all time, but he proved worth every penny. A hat-trick on debut was a sign of things to come as Rooney racked up a record 256 goals for Manchester United, hoovering up trophies along the way.

Carlos Tevez & Javier Mascherano – Corinthians to West Ham (2006)

A double deal that's etched intoPremier League folklore. There was more than a hint of confusion when Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez pitched up alongside Alan Pardew at West Ham. Two of the most talked about talents in South American football arriving, out of nowhere, in East London.

That was just the start of the saga. As it turned out, West Ham had broken Premier League rules to sign the pair, as offshore companies owned the ‘economic rights' to the Argentina internationals.

While Mascherano struggled to make an impact and left forLiverpool in January, Tevez became a cult hero. The forward's run of goals helped West Ham avoid relegation, including a last-day winner at Manchester United. Sheffield United, relegated at West Ham's expense, were furious and a bitter court case resulted in the Hammers paying around £20m in compensation for their rule break.

Robinho - Real Madrid to Manchester City (2008)

Manchester City sent shockwaves through the Premier League after making a statement signing in 2008.

On the day that the club's Abu Dhabi takeover was announced, City shattered the British transfer record to sign Robinho from Real Madrid, right under the noses of Chelsea. A £32.5m deal saw Robinho head to the Etihad as a new era was ushered in. The superstar signing faded after a promising first season, but this was undoubtedly the club's watershed moment.

Mesut Ozil – Real Madrid to Arsenal (2013)

WithArsenal struggling to compete at the top end of the table, the Gunners sought to make a statement signing. Arsene Wenger had teased the arrival of a big name, and so it transpired, as Mesut Ozil joined from Real Madrid.

The gifted German became Arsenal's record signing at £42.5m and sprinkled stardust on the side across his time in North London. A three-time FA Cup winner, his best season saw Ozil lead the Premier League with 19 assists in 2015/16.

Cristiano Ronaldo – Juventus to Manchester United (2021)

Rarely has a transfer created such hysteria as this one.

Cristiano Ronaldo might have been 36 when he made his return to Manchester United, but the excitement and announcement was like little seen before.

More than a decade on from his world-record exit, Ronaldo returned home to Old Trafford. Though not quite the record-breaker of his Real Madrid peak, he scored 24 goals in his first season back to earn inclusion in the PFA Team of the Year. Things soon went south amid power struggles, but Ronaldo's return was one of the most memorable deadline deals ever.

Alexander Isak - Newcastle United to Liverpool (2025)

The saga of the 2025 summer transfer window went right down to the wire. Alexander Isak's insistence that he wanted out at Newcastle saw the sulking star strike throughout the summer. Isak refused to return for pre-season as he angled for a move to Liverpool, though Newcastle refused to budge.

That was, until, the final hours of the window.

A British transfer record bid from Liverpool was eventually enough to get the deal done, with Isak heading to Anfield for a mammoth £125m fee.