But West Ham’s best business of the window went somewhat under the radar.
That was not only keeping Jarrod Bowen at the club but making him captain.
There was speculation the Hammers would have to sell one of their prized assets this summer.
The spectre of strict PSR rules and West Ham being denied the opportunity to raise £85m with the sale of Lucas Paqueta the reasons for such rumours.
Over the summer Northern Echo journalist Scott Wilson claimed Newcastle United were ‘confident’ of signing Bowen from West Ham.
Wilson reported that Bowen was Eddie Howe’s number one target for their right-attacking role.
The report claimed a big money move would be sent to West Ham by Newcastle’s Saudi owners ‘late in the transfer window’.
You won’t believe what top West Ham star Bowen is about to do
Wilson stated at the time: “There is a belief within the corridors of power at St James’ Park that a deal could be possible.”
Julen Lopetegui then made the Prague hero captain with Kurt Zouma departing.
Bown is already a legend in the eyes of many Hammers fans.
Many felt his goal in the Europa Conference League final – as well as his consistently brilliant, hardworking performances in the last four years – had earned that.
But you won’t believe what top West Ham star Bowen is about to do and it will seal his legend status.
Bowen West Ham tattoo will seal legend status
Bowen has been speaking to singer and big Hammers fan Chesney Hawkes for TNT Sport.
In the interview Bowen says he calls himself an ‘adopted West Ham boy’.
He ranks Paolo Di Canio as the former West Ham legend he’d most like to play with.
And he has revealed he is now thinking about getting a West Ham tattoo on the foot with which he scored that last gasp European winner.
“My kids were born two weeks before the final and that (scoring the winner for West Ham) trumped it!” Bowen said.
“(As I was running through) I thought ‘this is probably one of the biggest moments of my life’ and when I hit it I just see it bobbling over his leg (and it was).
“I do call myself the adopted West Ham boy. I hope so (to stay at West Ham the rest of his career), I hope so. I love it here, on the pitch, off the pitch everything.
“I’m 27 now, still got a lot of football to play and I’m going to enjoy my best years here…
“I’m going to get one for the final, I’m going to get it on my left foot, though. Something here (points to his left foot) to do with the goal and the moment.”
West Ham fans will absolutely love that idea. Bowen has loved it in east London from the very start. The fact he is marrying into a family of diehard Hammers just makes it a match made in heaven.
Now West Ham fans can truly say of Bowen – captain, leader, legend.
