Africa's greatest Deadline Day deals

Without even getting into the impact he made at Southampton, the fact that Mane eventually made the Saints a £22.2 million profit when he eventually moved on to Liverpool tells you all you need to know about this deadline day deal.

He was an absolute bargain when he arrived for £11.8 million in 2014, and went on to score 21 goals across two campaigns with Southampton before moving on to further glory at Anfield.

Gyan’s stay in English football was brief but memorable, as he spent just 13 months at Sunderland, troubling defences with his direct running and ability to carve open a defence.

There was the stoppage-time equaliser in the North East Derby against Newcastle United, a brace against Stoke City on his debut, and a goal in the 3-0 victory at Chelsea as he built on his fine form at the 2010 World Cup on Wearside.

£13 million was a decent fee for Gyan as he made a deadline-day arrival from Stade Rennais, but it’s just a shame that his stint in England was so brief.

An £8 million steal by Watford when he signed from Stade Rennais in 2016, Doucoure was immediately loaned to Granada after putting pen to paper, and was made to wait for his Hornets debut.

He excelled during the 2016-17 season, however, and went on to win the club’s Player of the Year award, helped them to the FA Cup final, and secured a move to Everton…netting Watford a £12 million profit in the process.

Pienaar lost his way at Tottenham Hotspur after moving to North London from Everton, but rediscovered his top form—and then some—after returning to Goodison Park on deadline day in January 2012.

He rekindled his dynamic partnership with Leighton Baines down Spurs’ left flank, and, just under a year after leaving Tottenham, scored Everton’s 1000th Premier League goal.

Finally ended his underwhelming stay at Manchester United in February 2015, when he returned to Crystal Palace on a permanent basis.

A year earlier, Zaha had left Old Trafford on loan to Cardiff City, but the switch back to Selhurst Park signalled the definitive end of his United career.

The £3 million outlay represented an absolute steal for Palace, who have six years of service since, although while Zaha certainly has affection for the Eagles, he’s made no secret of his desire to depart in recent transfer windows.

Admittedly, it’s been a difficult year for Aubameyang, but whatever happens from here, there’s no doubt he’s been a massive success since signing for Arsenal.

The Gunners bagged him on transfer deadline day in 2018, when they broke a then-club record of £56 million to snare him from Borussia Dortmund.

54 Premier League goals have followed, and Arsenal fans will hope for many more.