ON LOAN FROM UNITED

Madrid, Sept. 1: Real Madrid have moved to broaden their options in attack by agreeing to sign Mexico striker Javier Hernandez on loan from Manchester United for the 2014- 15 season.

“Real Madrid and Manchester United have reached an agreement for the loan of the player Javier Hernandez, who will be tied to the club for the current season,” Real said in a statement on their website ( www. Realmadrid. Com) on Monday.

Real have an option to buy the 26- year- old, who is valued at 14 million euros ( 18.4 million US dollar) on website trans- fermarkt. Com, and he would be presented to the media at the Bernabeu stadium later on Monday, the European champions added. United also confirmed the move on their Twitter account.

Known as “Chicharito”, or “little pea”, Hernandez will provide backup for Real’s first- choice striker Karim Benzema, a France international, and will be expected to make an impact from the bench. Hernandez joined United from hometown side Guadalajara in July 2010 but after a fine debut season, when he scored 20 goals in all competitions.

According to Deloitte’s sports business group, more than $ 1.2 billion had been spent by England’s 20 EPL clubs up to Friday. That was already more than $ 165 million above last year’s transfer window and British media said the total figure would pass $ 1.33 billion by the end of Monday.