Manchester United swooped from nowhere on Monday to make striker Radamel Falcao the surprise big signing on the last day of Europe's record-breaking summer transfer window.
British media said the Colombian would have to pass a medical to seal the move from Monaco in a one-year loan that pushes United's spending since the opening of the transfer market above £150 million.
Teams from the top leagues in England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France have laid out more than $2.1 billion during the transfer window and the frenzied last day was expected to see the figure rise.
United have been the single biggest spenders, ahead of Spain's Real Madrid.
The Reds are buying Daley Blind from Ajax Amsterdam and have also brought in Argentine international Angel di Maria from Real Madrid for £59 million, Spanish international Ander Herrera, England defender Luke Shaw and another Argentine Marcos Rojo.
The arrival of 28-year-old Falcao sparked new moves around United, who have failed to win any of their first three games in the Premier League.
The club's Mexican striker Javier Hernandez joined Real Madrid on a season-long loan. United's Danny Wellbeck was also tipped to move during the day. Their Japanese striker Shinji Kagawa returned to former club Borussia Dortmund.
Manchester City's England defender Micah Richards was in Italy for a medical with Fiorentina, said the Italian side. Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel joined AC Milan.
Italy's World Cup striker Alessio Cerci moved from Torino to Atletico Madrid.
According to Fifa Transfer Matching System, which monitors the global market, the big five leagues have already smashed the $2.02 billion spent on last year's transfer market.
Spending higher in England
Spending is dramatically higher this year in England, Spain and to a lesser degree Germany.
According to Deloitte's sports business group, more than $1.2 billion had been spent by England's 20 Premier League clubs up to Friday. That was already more than $165 million above last year's transfer window.
On top of United's big buys, Liverpool have also spent more than $190 million; Chelsea have laid out more than $125 and Arsenal more than $103.
English clubs have spent about $300 million on Spanish players. But, according to Fifa, Spain's current spending is closing on $600 million and already three times higher than last year's pre-season transfer window.
A spending splurge by Real Madrid and Barcelona has accounted for the buying.
The market has fallen just as dramatically in Italy and France, where the poor economy and Uefa's financial fair play regulations have hit the football business.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 2nd, 2014.
Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.
1735196389-0/Untitled-design-(2)1735196389-0-270x192.webp "watch virat kohli shoulders sam konstas mid pitch during boxing day test")
1735025557-0/Untitled-(96)1735025557-0-270x192.webp "christopher nolan casts zendaya tom holland anne hathaway and more in adaptation of the odyssey")
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ