adminLONDON. — Radamel Falcao’s loan move to Manchester United was the major deadline day signing as English Premier League summer spending hit a record £835m.
The Colombian striker’s £6m switch, Daley Blind’s £13.8m move to United and their sale of Danny Welbeck to Arsenal for £16m helped set the new landmark.Overall deadline day spending was down £55m to £85m compared to 2013.
But earlier deals, such as United’s £59.7m British record signing of Angel Di Maria, contributed to the record.
Financial analysts Deloitte said Louis van Gaal’s near £150m spree was the highest gross transfer spend in a single window by any club. On deadline day, most of the major transfers were announced after the 11pm cut-off – with clubs given an hour’s grace to finish deals they had started.
Falcao’s surprise move was announced at 01:30am yesterday, 32 minutes after Welbeck’s move was confirmed. Manchester City revealed Alvaro Negredo had been sent on loan to Valencia at 11:28pm. City also allowed England international Micah Richards to go on loan to Italian side Fiorentina, with United striker Javier Hernandez going on loan to Real Madrid.
Hull were the busiest English Premier League side on transfer deadline day, signing four players, including Palermo striker Abel Hernandez for a reported club-record £10m and Premier League trio Hatem Ben Arfa, Gaston Ramirez and Mo Diame.— BBC Sport
Online Reporter