The English Premier League (EPL) dominated as Europe’s top clubs spent more than $3 billion on new players in the two month transfer market that ended with a frantic burst of deals.
The 20 Premier League clubs spent about £835 million ($1.38 billion, €1 billion) on players, with Manchester United accounting for about £150 million of that, according to business consultants Deloitte.
Spain’s La Liga clubs laid out just over $700 million (€530 million) on players, with Real Madrid and Barcelona the big spenders on the likes of Luis Suarez and James Rodriguez.
We look at the 10 most eye-catching transfers to have taken place over the course of the transfer window in EPL:
Angel Di Maria – Real Madrid (Spain) to Manchester United; £59.7 millionÂ
Desperate to halt the slide that saw them finish seventh in the Premier League last season, United signed Angel Di Maria for a British-record fee of almost £60 million. The skillful Argentina winger, voted man of the match in May’s Champions League final, made his debut in United’s 0-0 draw at Burnley on Saturday.
Diego Costa – Atletico Madrid (Spain) to Chelsea; £32 million
Brazil-born striker Diego Costa, 25, joined Chelsea after firing Atletico Madrid to the La Liga title last season with 27 goals. Had a chastening experience at the World Cup with adopted country Spain, but has scored four goals in his first three appearances for Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea.
Eliaquim Mangala – Porto (Portugal) to Manchester City; £32 million
Despite a spending cap imposed on them by UEFA for contravening Financial Fair Play regulations, Manchester City found the funds to bring France centre-back Eliaquim Mangala to the Etihad Stadium. The 23-year-old spent three years at Porto, winning two league titles, and has played three times for France.
Alexis Sanchez – Barcelona (Spain) to Arsenal; £30 million
Twelve months after smashing their transfer record to sign Mesut Ozil, Arsenal flexed their financial muscles again with a move for Chile’s star forward Alexis Sanchez. The 25-year-old provided the first return on the investment when he scored the goal against Besiktas that took Arsenal into the Champions’ League group phase.
Cesc Fabregas – Barcelona (Spain) to Chelsea; £30 million
After a mixed three years with Barcelona, 27-year-old former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has returned to the Premier League with Chelsea. The Spain midfielder has been quick to settle, notably producing an exquisite assist for Andre Schuerrle in Chelsea’s opening 3-1 victory at Burnley.
Romelu Lukaku – Chelsea to Everton; £28 million
Amid renewed competition for places at Chelsea, 21-year-old Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku elected to join Everton on a permanent basis, having scored 16 goals while on loan at Goodison Park last season. Everton broke their club record to sign him, but manager Roberto Martinez said he was “worth every pennyâ€.
Luke Shaw – Southampton to Manchester United; £27 million (rising to £31 million)
After a fine 2013-14 campaign, which saw him supplant Ashley Cole in the England squad, 19-year-old left-back Luke Shaw joined United in a move that made him become the fourth-most expensive defender in history. Currently, he is sidelined by a hamstring injury.
Adam Lallana – Southampton to Liverpool; £25 million
Another Southampton player who sought pastures new after breaking into the England squad, attacking midfielder Adam Lallana left St Mary’s after eight years of service. The versatile, two-footed 26-year-old is yet to make his debut after injuring his knee in pre-season.
Mario Balotelli – AC Milan (Italy) to Liverpool; £16 million
Following a challenging two-year spell in Milan, maverick striker Mario Balotelli returned to England, where he previously played for Manchester City. Renowned as much for his erratic off-pitch behavior as for his goal scoring ability, the 24-year old Italy striker has been signed to help fill the void created by the departure of Luis Suarez.
Radamel Falcao – Monaco (France) to Manchester United; £6 million (loan)
United pulled off a stunning coup on the last day of the transfer window by signing prolific Colombia striker Radamel Falcao on a season-long loan with an option for a permanent £43 million transfer. The 28-year-old could form a devastating three-pronged attack alongside Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie