Busy deadline day sees some major moves

As always the summer transfer deadline day was frantic as teams attempted to strengthen their squad.

Before the transfer window closed last at 11PM some really big deals were completed.

In a very busy day English champions Manchester City was one of the busiest clubs in the market.

The biggest arrival of deadline day was that of Spanish midfielder Javi Garcia, who joined the Citizens from Portuguese giants Benfica for an initial fee of £16million.

His arrival was preceded by City’s capture of Inter and Brazil full-back Maicon for an undisclosed fee.

City strengthened their defence further with the signing of young defender Matija Nastasic from Fiorentina for a fee in the region of £12million. City have also allowed defender Stefan Savic to join the Viola as part of the deal. City also signed former-England keeper Richard Wright on a free transfer.

City also sold Holland international midfielder Nigel De Jong to AC Milan for an undisclosed fee and allowed striker Roque Santa Cruz to join La Liga club Malaga on a season-long loan deal.

Tottenham were another team busy wheeling and dealing on deadline day. Spurs signed French international keeper Hugo Lloris from French Ligue One club Lyon for a fee in the region of £12million.

In a shock move Spurs also moved to bring in USA international Clint Dempsey for a fee of £6million from Fulham. Dempsey had previously stated his desire to move to Liverpool, but the Reds were unwilling to pay the asking price.

Dempsey may be seen as a replacement for Rafael Van der Vaart, who returned to former-club Hamburg in a £10million move. A club record £22million move for FC Porto’s midfield playmaker Joao Moutinho broke down over personal terms.

Another London club who were busy on transfer deadline day were QPR. The Hoops have brought in 12 new players in this summers transfer window. The Hoops signed midfielder Stephane Mbia from Marseille for an undisclosed fee.

Controversial Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has moved in the opposite direction on a season-long loan deal. Barton has been replaced by midfielder Esteban Granero, who arrived at Loftus Road from Real Madrid for an undisclosed fee.

Elsewhere, newly promoted Southampton pulled off something of a coup in the transfer market. The Saints completed the club record £12million signing of Uruguayan winger Gaston Ramirez from Serie A club Bologna.

In a surprise move Real Madrid signed Michael Essien from Chelsea on a season-long deal. Another player who completed a season-long loan move was Chelsea midfielder Yossi Benayoun. The 32 year-old has returned to West Ham.

Stoke City were also busy in the transfer market. The Potters completed a £4million move for midfielder Charlie Adam, who joined from Liverpool and also snapped up USA international Maurice Edu on a free transfer. The pair was joined by French midfielder Steven N’Zonzi, who joined the club from Blackburn for an initial fee of £3.5million, potentially rising to £5million.

Fulham managed to spend some of the cash made by the sale of Moussa Dembele to Tottenham with the £4million signing of Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov from Manchester United. Berbatov’s arrival was followed the arrival of Iranian ace Ashkan Dejagah from Wolfsburg for an undisclosed fee.

Aston Villa strengthened their attack with the signing of young striker Christian Benteke from Genk for a fee of £7million. Villa also signed Crewe’s star midfielder Ashley Westwood and promising young striker Jordan Bowery from Chesterfield.

Everton were busy on deadline day. The Toffee’s paid £5million for Costa Rica full-back Bryan Oviedo, who arrived from Danish club FC Copenhagen. His arrival was followed by that of promising young Kilmarnock attacker Johnny Russell for an undisclosed fee.

Everton are also awaiting international clearance for Belgian midfielder Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe. The Toffee’s are hoping that a season-long deal will be rubber-stamped by FIFA. The midfielder is currently at Belgian side Club Bruges.

Excitement

The last day of the transfer window is always exciting and this years transfer deadline day didn’t disappoint. The moves made on transfer deadline day could can a major effect on which teams are successful this season. The big moves have just added an extra element of excitement to the season.

Are you excited by the transfer deadline day moves?