The summer transfer window is now over, closing one of the busiest and most unexpected periods in European soccer history. Mega names such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have changed clubs with the Portuguese superstar's move from Juventus to Manchester United occurring in the final hours. The other superstar featured in rumors, Kylian Mbappe of PSG, ended up staying put despite heavy interest from Real Madrid.
Once more, the final 24 hours did not disappoint with some big deals going through -- including a few that looked like they might fall apart at the 11th hour. Here's a look at the notable moves from deadline day:
And now let's run through some of the winners and losers on what is traditionally one of the busiest days of the year for soccer business.
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Kylian Mbappe dominated the final month of this summer through Real Madrid's pursuit of the France international to PSG's stubborn refusal to even entertain his departure. The fact that the French giants were rejecting the best part of $250 million by the end of the window means that there are ways to see both as winners.
For PSG, who are chasing UEFA Champions League success this season, the benefit is obvious: they keep a player who can make the difference in a title tilt for at least one more campaign. On top of that, he is part of a retooled Parisien outfit which now features Lionel Messi, Achraf Hakimi, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos and Georginio Wijnaldum -- not bad. Sporting director Leonardo was also able to pull off a late move for Nuno Mendes to complete a possible transformation to a 3-4-3 formation under Mauricio Pochettino.
Real also win as PSG's refusal saved them from potential financial annihilation and their consolation prize is one of the top young midfielders in the world in Eduardo Camavinga -- a first step toward rejuvenating an aging squad. The money Real could have splashed on Mbappe now will go toward rebuilding the squad in the future and the 22-year-old may still end up at Santiago Bernabeu as a free agent next summer.
However, there are negatives to the situation as well. Real were obviously desperate to compensate for the losses of Raphael Varane and Ramos, among others, this summer to offer up that sort of money. In that pursuit of their main target, Real failed and will instead argue that they did everything to land their man -- apart from making him their main target from the beginning of the summer instead of coming to life toward the end of the transfer window.
For PSG, they might never be able to cash in on Mbappe again (a January move for a player of his ability is a non-starter) while there is no guarantee of Champions League success, and a contract extension still appears to be a long way off.
Ronaldo and Varane represents a strong transfer window haul with the legendary Portuguese player returning to Old Trafford for a second stint to boost the feel-good factor created by a good start to the season. It might not quite put Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men in the reckoning for UCL glory, but domestic silverware will be targeted with the veteran now on board.
There is no way to paint Antoine Griezmann returning to defending champions Atleti on loan with an option to buy, Emerson Royal joining Tottenham Hotspur just months after his arrival at Camp Nou and Luuk De Jong arriving from Sevilla positively. An absolute disaster class of a final 24 hours for the Catalans -- even if it eases their financial woes -- on top of an acrimonious summer of business.
Monchi pulled off a masterclass by taking a hardline stance with Chelsea over star defender Jules Kounde and then preyed on Barca's desperation to offload De Jong. There are levels to this game and Monchi, despite criticism in recent years, has proved once more that he remains in that upper echelon.
It has been a few forgettable final few days of the transfer window for Pep Guardiola and his men, who saw Harry Kane remain with Spurs, Messi join PSG and Ronaldo return to United with nowhere left to turn at such short notice in their search for attacking reinforcements. Jack Grealish was an important get, but City were clear that he was not their only target this summer.
While Moise Kean's return and the arrival of Mohamed Ihattaren are not bad moves, the loss of Ronaldo that late in the day for relatively little still feels like a loss -- just not as big a loss as some of their European rivals.
Completed deals so far:
A wild transfer window has closed. There is still a chance some moves may be announced and not all leagues have closed their windows, but the big dominoes have surely fallen. Thanks for joining us today and be sure to stick with CBSSports.com for our coverage of World Cup qualifying this week and next.
OFFICIAL: Antoine Griezmann has been registered as a player for this season with Atletico Madrid on loan from Barcelona! The clubs haven't confirmed the move yet, but that is as official as it gets. A stunning transfer deadline day move with Griezmann going back to where he became a household name in world soccer.
Rumors circulating in Spain that the deals of Griezmann back to Atletico and de Jong to Barca have fallen apart...
Matthew Hope, the American striker from Schalke, has joined La Liga club Mallorca.
"FC Schalke 04 and RCD Mallorca have agreed a deal for the permanent transfer of Matthew Hoppe, with the Spanish first-division side signing the American on a four-year deal. All parties wish to keep all further details of this transfer undisclosed," Schalke said in a statement.
The move is a significant one for the talented striker as he look for minutes in the first division to further his development. He was a member of the Gold Cup winning USMNT this summer but is not with the team during its September World Cup qualifiers.
