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Premier League transfer deadline looms

Clubs in the the British Premier League scrambled to make last-minute signings to secure the best players, before a transfer window deadline came to a close at 23:00 BST on Wednesday. Critics argue the costly wheelings and dealings defy the purpose of a transfer window.

Manchester City's Joe Hart and Samir Nasri celebrate after the match Football Soccer Britain - Manchester City v West Ham United - Premier League - Etihad Stadium - 28/8/16
Manchester City's Joe Hart and Samir Nasri celebrate after the match Football Soccer Britain - Manchester City v West Ham United - Premier League - Etihad Stadium - 28/8/16 Reuters / Darren Staples Livepic
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Even before Wednesday's transfer deadline, twelve of the top twenty English Premier League clubs had already spent over one billion euros.

Manchester United set the stakes high, when they signed French striker Paul Pogba for over one hundred million euros earlier this month, fuelling frantic activity across the continent.

But the fact that clubs now have new TV rights has also sent prices through the roof.

"They're having to spend far more over the odds," Pat Nevin, a football consultant told RFI by phone from England.

"However, the history of this transfer window was to stop clubs overspending. That was why it was brought in, but it hasn't worked has it? It definitely hasn't worked."

The pressure is high for clubs to get their recruitment right, a wrong move and they could scupper their chances for premier league glory.

"But Leicester City also proved that to be complete rubbish last season," reckons Nevin, "which was great news for everybody who believes in real competition."

Toing and froing

International stars Mario Balotelli, Moussa Sissoko and Jack Wilshere are all poised for moves by the close of business.

But there have been lots of outgoings already, particularly from Manchester City.

Striker Wilfried Bony is headed for Stoke City, whilst English goal keeper Joe Hart confirmed his transfer to Torino, and fellow player French midfielder Samir Nasri now joins La Liga side Sevilla. All players on a season long loan.

Both Hart and Nasri struggled under new City manager Pep Guardiola, who preferred the likes of Willy Caballero and Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to Hart, whilst Nasri faced stiff competition from David Silva or Kevin de Bruyne for a place in Guardiola's new-look side.

Elsewhere, Mario Balotelli is hoping to prove to French club Nice he has what it takes as negotiations continue to see whether he will transfer from Liverpool.

Balotelli had a disappointing last season, scoring just four goals in 28 appearances since joining the club on loan from AC Milan.

The Italian star flew to Nice on Wednesday morning for a medical checkup 'to be on the safe side' according to reports.

Chelsea-PSG clash

Meanwhile, English champions Leicester City have agreed to sign Algerian striker Islam Slimani for a fee of about 34 million euros.

But negotiations are tense between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain over David Luiz.

The Blues have offered the French club 35 million euros for the Brazilian defender to return to Stamford Bridge.

But PSG -- who bought him from Chelsea for 55 million -- don't want to lose 20 million on the player.

Distracting

For some players, all of these talks are proving distracting. Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier has hit out at the timing of the transfer deadline -- which coincides with the start of the Premier league season -- insisting it distracts players.

Euro champion star Moussa Sissoko was certainly distracted by his negotiations with Newcastle United on Wednesday. The French midfielder-- who stunned the world by his performance at the European championships -- had to cut his training short to finalise a last-minute transfer before France's friendly match in Italy on Thursday.

The 27 year old has made it clear he wants bigger and better things than staying on at Newcastle, after they were relegated last season.

As yet, no firm offers have materialised with potential buyers put off by Newcastle's 40 million euro price tag for the powerful midfielder.

But anything could happen between now and the deadline.

"There's a phrase often used that I despise," says Nevin. "Speculate to accumulate, which means gamble, and we all know what happens to gamblers, they lose out in the end. In England, so many big clubs which were once big names find themselves now floundering outside the top league," he said.

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