The dust is settling from last night’s frantic end to the transfer window.
Arsenal made the most eye-catching move with the capture of Mezut Ozil from Real Madrid for a club record €50 million.
Manchester United signed Marouane Fellaini from Everton. The midfielder cost the champions £27.5 million pounds – £5 million more than the buyout clause that expired little over a month ago.
Fellaini’s departure from Everton opened the door for Roberto Martinez to bring Ireland’s James McCarthy to Goodison Park. The 22 year old is thought to have cost £13 million. The Toffees also signed Romelo Lukaku and Gareth Barry on loan.
McCarthy’s fellow Irish internationals Shane Long and Kevin Doyle were both left disappointed however. Long appeared poised to join Hull City for a club record 5 million pounds, but West Brom blocked the move at the last minute. And Doyle has been left languising in League One after Wolves failed to find a buyer.
Former Irish international Stephen Ireland moved from Aston Villa to Stoke on loan, but Shay Given will spend the season in the Villa reserves after Liverpool didn’t follow-up on their interest in him.