This archive report was first published on 9 August 2019.
On a busy final day of the Premier League transfer window, Tottenham and Arsenal made significant signings to strengthen their squads.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has been under pressure from manager Mauricio Pochettino to build on the progress made on and off the field, and the club responded by signing French international midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, as well as Giovani Lo Celso and Ryan Sessegnon.
Lo Celso joined on a season-long loan deal from Real Betis with an option to make the transfer permanent next summer, while Sessegnon signed from Fulham in a £25 million deal that could rise to £30 million in performance-related add-ons.
"I think it is the right time for me to come here," said Sessegnon. "It's a young, eager, exciting team for me to join and I think this team is not far off winning big things in the future."
However, a sensational swoop for Juventus' Paulo Dybala broke down, leaving Spurs short on support for Harry Kane up front.
Arsenal, meanwhile, were badly in need of defensive recruits to shore up a backline that conceded 51 Premier League goals last season, and they finally secured the signings of Kieran Tierney and David Luiz.
Tierney joined from Celtic in a £25-million move, while Luiz signed from Manchester United in an £8 million deal.
"I've lived my dream and I've loved every single minute of it," said Tierney of leaving his boyhood club. "Now I just feel was the right time to take a step on. I feel this is a great opportunity for me."
Other top clubs were less active on deadline day, with Manchester City and Liverpool making few signings. Manchester City brought in veteran goalkeeper Scott Carson on loan from Derby, while Liverpool made just three low-key additions in teenagers Sepp van den Berg and Harvey Elliott and back-up goalkeeper Adrian.
