Manchester United swoop on Radamel Falcao as Europe splash the cash
Colombian becomes the latest big signing on a frenzied last day of summer transfer window
Manchester United swooped from nowhere yesterday 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 move from Monaco in a one-year loan that pushes United's spending since the opening of the transfer market on June 9 above £150 million (HK$1.16 billion).
United will pay Monaco a fee of €10 million (HK$101.7 million) for the loan and will have an option to make the deal permanent for €55 million at the end of the season, sources at Monaco said.
There is not a player in the world who can say they haven't dreamed about playing for Real Madrid
Teams from the top leagues in England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France have laid out more than US$2.1 billion during the transfer window and the frenzied last day is likely to see the figure rise substantially.
Manchester United have been the single biggest spenders, ahead of Spain's Real Madrid.
United 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.
Real Madrid late yesterday confirmed the signing of Mexican international striker Javier Hernandez on a season-long loan from United.