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Transfer deadline day is one that usually has a lot of twists and turns, as well as a lot of drama as well and this summer’s version did not disappoint. People were already expecting a lot of activities as it is usually the tradition on the last day of every transfer window and of course, they were not made to wait in vain as there were so many reasons to have remained glued to transfer news and rumors during the final few hours of the last day of the summer transfer window. While a lot of clubs completed a number of transfers into their squads, some others completed a number of departures and one of those clubs is Spanish La Liga giants Barcelona.

The Catalan giants started their summer businesses quite early this summer after they completed the double signing of Netherlands international attacker Memphis Depay from Olympique Lyon and Argentina international striker Sergio Agüero from English Premier League club Manchester City (both coming in as free agents). The signing of the two players saw them make a huge statement of intent that they were ready to challenge for titles this season but their summer took a new twist after the departure of Lionel Messi.

Messi is not the only player that left the Camp Nou this summer as Barca completed three departures on deadline day. Defenders Emerson Royal and Ilaix Moriba have, alongside attacker Antoine Griezmann, all left the club and have joined Tottenham Hotspur, RB Leipzig, and Atletico Madrid respectively.

Emerson joined Spurs for around €31 million while Moriba joined German outfit, Leipzig, for around €16 million, with Griezmann returning to Atletico Madrid on loan for €4 million with an option to make the deal a permanent one. It was good business from Barca, as they continue to generate income to tackle their current financial problems.