Manchester City failed in their quest to replace Sergio Aguero this summer, but they still set the benchmark for a 'crazy' window across Europe.
That's according to talkSPORT pundit and former Aston Villa striker, Gabby Agbonlahor, who has dished out praise to elite clubs for delivering a market that supporters craved.
In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, it had been predicted that big-money moves would be at a premium.
However, after getting the ball rolling with a £100million deal for England playmaker Jack Grealish - on the back of his swashbuckling displays for Aston Villa - City and their rivals across the continent had other ideas by striking up a number of eye-catching transfers.
Over at Old Trafford, neighbours Manchester United signed Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and returning Portugal superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo - himself a momentary target for key figures at the Etihad Stadium.
City also missed out on Harry Kane from Tottenham, but there was further high-profile movement as Chelsea spent £97.5million on Romelu Lukaku and Barcelona great Lionel Messi switched to Paris Saint-Germain.
Ultimately, though, it was City new boy Grealish who set the tone after his Euro 2020 exploits.
Agbonlahor said: "I just thought it was crazy. It was a window that football fans wanted to see, even with the big signings around Europe; Messi and even the story about Mbappe maybe leaving. Then you hear Ronaldo is coming back. It was just crazy.
"It was like each club in the top leagues just wanted to make big transfers and make big statements.
"It started off, really, with the Jack Grealish one. I think that set the standard for clubs to go mental. The pandemic was there, but clubs still went and spent the money."
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