# Seven smart deadline day deals reshaping the Premier League > From a Championship crosser to a teenage World Cup star, these transfers show clubs thinking beyond the obvious. - Title: Seven smart deadline day deals reshaping the Premier League - Summary: From a Championship crosser to a teenage World Cup star, these transfers show clubs thinking beyond the obvious. The best deadline day signings aren't always… - Keywords: premier league, transfer window, femi azeez, ibrahim mbaye, kevin danso, iliman ndiaye, matias fernandez-pardo, malick fofana, chema andrés, deadline day, football transfers, tactical analysis - Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/03/deadline-day-deals-premier-league-transfers - Author: Ali Tweedale and Ryan Benson - Published: 2026-09-03T09:00:49+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: premier league, transfer window, femi azeez, ibrahim mbaye, kevin danso, iliman ndiaye, matias fernandez-pardo, malick fofana, chema andrés, deadline day, football transfers, tactical analysis ## Azeez brings Championship crossing threat Brighton signed Millwall's Femi Azeez for £12.5m rising to £15m. The 22-year-old led the Championship with 227 open-play crosses and 6.71 expected assists from crosses last season. > If he can make the step up and produce anything like his second-tier form, he'll be a steal. ## Mbaye's World Cup pedigree at just 18 Aston Villa paid PSG £47m for Ibrahim Mbaye, an 18-year-old who started in PSG's Champions League-winning campaign and appeared at the World Cup this summer. > he became the youngest player in PSG's history to start a game ## Mbaye's dribbling and end product shine Among Ligue 1 players with 900+ minutes, Mbaye ranked 11th for carries per 90 and 3rd for take-on-ending carries. He scored at the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup despite limited minutes. ## Danso excels as a deep defender Tottenham loaned Kevin Danso to Sunderland with a buy obligation. The centre-back ranked first in the Premier League for clearances (8.2 per 90) and headed clearances (6.3 per 90) last season. > he is an excellent deep defender ## Danso fits Sunderland's low-block style Sunderland spent 25% of their out-of-possession time in a low block last season, more than any other Premier League team. Danso will pair with Dan Ballard, the player he beat for clearances. ## Ndiaye adds dribbling to City's attack Manchester City signed Iliman Ndiaye from Everton for £65m. The Senegal winger ranked second in the Premier League for dribbles attempted (136) and completed (73) last season. ## City doubling down on dribbling ability Under Enzo Maresca, Manchester City has prioritized dribbling. Jérémy Doku and Antoine Semenyo ranked 1st and 2nd for dribbles attempted in the Premier League last season. ## Fernandez-Pardo's versatile attacking threat Newcastle paid Lille £51m for Matias Fernandez-Pardo, a Belgium international comfortable on the left wing or as a striker. His 122 progressive carries in Ligue 1 were bettered by only seven players. > he is arguably at his most threatening when running with the ball ## Fernandez-Pardo creates from carries Fernandez-Pardo ranked top for carries into the penalty area (69) and 7th for carries ending with a shot or chance created (39) in Ligue 1 last season. ## Fofana returns from injury to Sunderland Sunderland signed Malick Fofana from Lyon for £30m. The winger contributed nine goal involvements in 1,586 minutes in Ligue 1 in 2024-25, averaging one every 176 minutes. ## Fofana's pace and dynamism stand out Among Ligue 1 forwards with 900+ minutes, Fofana ranked 6th for carries per 90 (16.6) and 3rd for progressive carries per 90 (11.5). A serious ankle injury disrupted his 2025-26 season. > Fofana is direct, exciting and has significant potential ## Andrés brings defensive intelligence Brighton signed Chema Andrés from Stuttgart for £20m to replace Carlos Baleba. The Real Madrid academy product ranked 2nd among Bundesliga midfielders for interceptions per 90 (2.3). > Comparisons have been made to Rodri because of his physical attributes ## Key takeaway The best deadline day signings aren't always the biggest names, but players with specific skills that fill tactical gaps.