Saudi Arabia's mind-boggling spending means there has been lasting intrigue in this summer's transfer window, but which deals avoided the limelight?
The extended Saudi and Turkish windows and frenetic business across the planet have made this feel like one of the longest transfer periods on record. Billions have been shelled out, with the Pro League's sudden push for exponential growth certain to propel the overall outlay to unimaginable heights.
Finally, though, the end is in sight; Saudi clubs completed their business late last week, and the window creaks shut in Turkey on September 15. From now until January, each club will have to make do with what they've got.
It will go down as one of the most dramatic, thriftless windows of all time, characterised by multiple players commanding nine-figure transfer fees. But away from the Declan Rices, Moises Caicedos and Harry Kanes, which transfers have gone under the radar?
GOAL runs through the deals you might have missed from the 2023 summer transfer window…
Alan Varela (Boca Juniors to Porto)
Highly-rated midfielder Alan Varela has followed the well-trodden path from South America to Portugal, joining Porto from Boca Juniors for what could be a bargain fee of €11 million (£9m/$12m). It certainly won't be the last we've heard of him.
AdvertisementAlex Grimaldo (Benfica to Bayer Leverkusen)
One of Benfica's longest-serving players, the attacking left-back – a Barcelona academy product – finally left Lisbon this summer after seven years to join up with compatriot Xabi Alonso in the Bundesliga.
GettyAlex Telles (Man Utd to Al-Nassr)
The Manchester United flop brought his time at Old Trafford to a permanent end this summer as the full-back joined up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr. The Saudi club paid just £4m ($5m) to land him.
GettyAllan Saint-Maximin (Newcastle to Al-Ahli)
Saint-Maximin was a fan favourite at St. James' Park, but his spell on Tyneside came to a somewhat subdued end as the tricky winger joined the Saudi exodus, signing with Al-Ahli for £25m ($32m).