Manchester United dominated Europe’s transfer activity as the transfer deadline window slammed shut late Monday, manager Louis van Gaal taking his summer spending spree to more than £150 million pounds.
The former Netherlands coach, without a Premier League win this season and hammered 4-0 by third tier MK Dons in a League Cup match last week, signed versatile Dutch international Daley Blind for 14 million pounds from Ajax.
Rumours swirled that the move for Radamel Falcao had gone awry over a failed medical exam as the deadline closed but the Colombian striker’s one-year loan deal with an option to buy was finally announced some 90 minutes later.
“I am delighted to be joining Manchester United on loan this season,” 28-year-old Falcao, who scored 11 goals in 20 appearances for Monaco, said.
“Manchester United is the biggest club in the world and is clearly determined to get back to the top. I am looking forward to working with Louis van Gaal and contributing to the team’s success at this very exciting period in the club’s history.”
Last week, United broke the British transfer record in signing Angel Di Maria for £59.7 million and started their summer dealings with the £29 million capture of midfielder Ander Herrera.
United will recoup some of the fortune spent after selling England forward Danny Welbeck to Arsenal, while Mexico striker Javier Hernandez has also departed on a season-long loan to Real Madrid.
Arsenal did not disclose details, but British media reported the transfer fee for 26-cap England forward Welbeck at £16 million.
“Everyone at Arsenal welcomes Danny to the club and looks forward to his contribution in an Arsenal shirt this season,” the team said of the 23-year-old, expected to make his Gunners debut at home to Manchester City on September 13.
Hernandez joins Real after spending four years at United, scoring 37 times in 102 Premier League appearances.
Blind, 24, signed a four-year deal and reunites with Van Gaal after working with the Dutchman at Ajax and the Netherlands national team.
“I am delighted Daley has signed. He is a very intelligent and versatile footballer,” Van Gaal said.
“Daley is a great reader of the game, he has played under my philosophy over a number of years and he will be a great addition to the team.”
Frenzied deals
Most of Europe’s top sides had done their big money deals before deadline day but a host of clubs took advantage of the frenzy that usually accompanies the end of the window.
Hull City broke their club record fee in completing the signing of 24-year-old Uruguay striker Abel Hernandez from Italian club Palermo on a three-year deal, with the option of a fourth year.
The exact fee was not revealed, but Hull confirmed it was more than the £7 million paid to Tottenham for Jake Livermore in June.
Hull also landed a trio of midfielders on loan – Mohamed Diame from West Ham United, Gaston Ramirez from Southampton and France midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa from Newcastle United.
Crystal Palace’s new manager Neil Warnock took Scottish international James McArthur from Championship side Wigan Athletic on a three-year deal, shortly after snapping up Tottenham reserve defender Zeki Fryers.
Newly-promoted Queens Park Rangers, whose veteran manager Harry Redknapp is known for his extensive deadline day dealings, signed Brazilian international Sandro from Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed fee.
Tottenham, under new manager Mauricio Pochettino, were also active in acquiring former France under-21 international midfielder Benjamin Stambouli and loaning Lewis Holtby to Hamburg.
Manchester City, big spenders on transfers in the past, released England defender Micah Richards to Serie A Fiorentina on loan.
“Now there are no more doubts. The wait is over,” the Italian side announced on their website.
Elsewhere, Sunderland signed 26-year-old Argentine playmaker Ricky Alvarez, capped seven times for his country, from Inter and Uruguay international defender Sebastian Coates from Liverpool on season-long loans.