Jamie Vardy is now a striker for Cremonese. © US Cremonese

Prominent competition for Manuel De Luca

A lot happened on deadline day. Among other things, Manuel De Luca got a prominent teammate. Here's an overview.

September 02, 2025

From: dl

Just on Friday, Manuel De Luca scored his very first Serie A goal. Nevertheless, various media outlets linked him with a transfer on Monday. Serie B clubs Catanzaro and Sampdoria (where he was already under contract) were among those keen to sign the 27-year-old South Tyrolean at the last minute. But this failed – partly because De Luca wanted to stay at Cremonese.

In Cremona, however, he faces clear competition up front: a total of six attackers are battling for the top two spots in Davide Nicola's 3-5-2 system. The most prominent of these is undoubtedly Jamie Vardy. The 38-year-old Englishman became De Luca's teammate on deadline day. Both Leicester City and Vardy's contracts expired at the end of the season. The eccentric striker sensationally won the league title with the Foxes in 2016.

This is what else happened on Deadline Day

Inter signed the Swiss Manuel Akanji (30) loaned another top-class defender from Manchester City. Instead, they sent the capricious Benjamin Pavard home to Olympique Marseille. Because Romelu Lukaku will be out until the end of the year, Napoli Rasmus Hojlund On loan from Manchester United. There is an option to buy afterward. Andrea Belotti seeks his fortune in Cagliari.

Benjamin Pavard is moving from Inter to Marseille. © APA/afp / FRANCK FIFE

Bayern Munich has finally signed Chelsea's striker Nicholas Jackson on loan. Manchester United have signed the Belgian goalkeeper Seine Lammens (23) from Royal Antwerp for 21 million. Werder Bremen, on the other hand, snapped up Victor Boniface from Bayer Leverkusen.