Window of opportunity

Premier League clubs dominated the European transfer window with record spending thanks to the cash generated through their lucrative new TV deals with six clubs featuring amongst the top 10 biggest spenders.

In total £835 million (BD517.67 million) was spent with £590 million (BD365.78 million) going overseas compared to £60 million (BD37.20 million) to lower division clubs. By comparison Spain’s La Liga clubs, boosted by huge spending from the top two, spent £425 million (BD263.5 million) followed by Italy’s Serie A on £260 million (BD161.19 million) and the Bundesliga on £250 million (BD155 million).

Manchester United dominated the headlines with their last-minute acquisition of Radamel Falcao, El Tigris in the process becoming the most expensive loan signing in history.

In total 20 signings were registered after the 2300 deadline on September 1 with six of them not cleared until the following day. The Red Devils were involved in five of them with four players departing, two on loan.

By leaping to the top of the list of most money spent in this transfer window Manchester United also broke the British transfer record (Angel Di Maria) and the costliest teenager (Luke Shaw), although it was the signings of Blind and Rojo that will have pleased supporters the most as they try to stop leaking goals and winning matches.

One of my favourite footy jokes, Q: what’s the difference between Manchester United and a triangle? A: A triangle has three points.

Monaco offered Falcao to many of Europe’s top clubs so it was a surprise to see a team not playing in European competition clinch his signature.

The Colombian is considered to be one of the top strikers and will be playing with two top providers of assists over the last four seasons in Mata and Di Maria (89 assists over the last four seasons). If anyone doubts how good he is, Falcao, scorer of 63 league goals since 2011, kept Diego Costa out of the team while at Atletico Madrid.

The surprise package amidst these moves was Arsenal’s purchase of Danny Welbeck, the 23-year-old England striker.

While many Gunners fans wanted a striker they were not expecting this Manchester native. Although many were apoplectic on social media, finally announcing the demise of Arsene Wenger’s sanity, it is also telling how many United fans showed concern about the damage Welbeck could do their own aspirations.

Fearing he makes a similar impact to the one Daniel Sturridge made on joining Liverpool, the injury to Oliver Giroud should allow Welbeck the opportunity to play in his preferred central attacking role, ahead of one of the most creative midfields in Europe.

Welbeck has developed physically in recent seasons and managed nine goals from 15 starts and has a conversion rate only matched by Aaron Ramsey in his new team.

Arsenal also made the second largest acquisition of the summer when they bought Alexis Sanchez during the World Cup.

It’s easy to forget amidst the last minute furore about some of the best signings made earlier in the summer. By doing their business early teams have allowed new signings to become embedded in the fabric of the team. There is no better example than Chelsea where the Special One identified the weaknesses of his team and rectified it.

Costa (four goals) and Cesc Fabregas (four assists) have hit the ground running with the outlay having been easily covered by the sale of David Luiz and Romelu Lukaku. Costa will be assisted up front by the return of Didier Drogba and the late signing of QPR’s Loic Remy, who was impressive on loan to Newcastle United.

As defending champions, Manchester City, scorers of 102 goals, needed little work up front although moved to find another potential partner for Vincent Kompany and spent £32 million (BD19.84 million) on France’s fourth choice central defender, Eliaquim Mangala. However, he is still learning his trade and combining pace and power could become one of Europe’s most effective stoppers. Fernando has settled quickly, already providing defensive midfield cover despite their home upset against Stoke.

Liverpool was also quiet in the final few days although, having received the largest cheque (although there is a disagreement as to the final amount with Barcelona adamant they only spent £65 million (BD40.3 million)) when selling Luis Suarez, were busy buying a new team.

Their final signing intrigued many with many believing that Brendan Rodgers can be the man to finally tame Mario Balotelli. This has been questioned given the nature of Suarez’s departure although it is worth noting his latest drama came while on national duty.

There is no doubting that Balotelli has genuine quality and will represent an absolute bargain if he plays well for the team. However, in the longer term their most valuable acquisitions could be Lazar Markovic and Emre Can, despite the initial outlay.

Away from the larger clubs Southampton have recovered from being ransacked, although that is perhaps too strong a description given the revenues they generated in the process.

Having lost Lallana, Lovren and Shaw each for in excess of £20 million (BD12.4 million) along with five other members of the first team squad, each has been replaced while netting a surplus of approximately £40 million (BD24.8 million).

Tadic looks to be an excellent addition to the team and has stepped seamlessly into the boots of Lallana for a fraction of the cost. Pelle also looks to be capable of scoring goals while the late signing of Sadio Mane for £10 million (BD6.2 million) also looks to be good business if he can reproduce his goal-scoring form in the Premier League.

The surprise package at the top of the table is Swansea who appear to have done intelligent business, allowing the disillusioned Michu to leave while adding Gomis and retaining Bony. However, the key signing is the return of Gylfi Sigurdsson who was only allowed to show in short bursts his genuine quality at White Hart Lane. With no Europa League to contend with this season they look stronger than last year when they finished mid table.

Hull City saw the highest number of deadline day new recruits on the final day with a quality that reflects the manner in which Steve Bruce led them to the FA Cup Final. Bruce broke the club’s transfer record with the signing of Uruguay striker, Abel Hernandez, while Mo Diame’s arrival from West Ham United will add some steel to the midfield.

However, it was the acquisition on loan of Hatem Ben Arfa and Gaston Ramirez that has raised eyebrows.

Ben Arfa has scored some of the best goals ever seen in the Premier League although has fallen out of favour at Newcastle amidst rumours of a fallout with coach Alan Pardew. Ramirez was considered to be one of the hottest prospects in Italy before his move to Southampton although there are plenty of Saints fans who would willingly pay for his taxi fare up north.

The club’s early exit from Europe that will only aid their league campaign, if Bruce can get his new signings to perform to their optimum then a top half finish is a real possibility.

Harry Redknapp was again active although little went his way on the final day and had to revert to old favourite Niko Kranjcar, while the signing of Sandro from London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, was more vital. This window has also seen Harry invest in the future by signing Jack Robinson and snaring Alex McCarthy from under the nose of Liverpool.

One of the most eye-catching acquisitions away from the elite was Sunderland’s signing on loan of Ricardo Alvarez, the Argentine international creating the most assists last season for Inter Milan. While also being a strong dribbler he also led their midfield with the highest average number of tackles.

The transfer window will not open again until January although clubs are still able to sign free agents.

One of the highest profile players not currently under contract is former Barcelona ’keeper, Victor Valdes, who is interesting Brendan Rodgers at Anfield. Others still available include Florent Malouda and Brazilian forward, Nilmar, who has spent the last two years in the Middle East.