Partey time for Arsenal on transfer deadline day
MANCHESTER: Manchester United made four signings on transfer deadline day, including Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani, while European champion Bayern Munich strengthened with two new arrivals.
But the biggest single move of the final day of dealmaking was Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey making a £45 million ($NZ88 million) switch from Atletico Madrid to Arsenal.
United signed Cavani on a free transfer, Brazilian left back Alex Telles from Porto, Uruguayan 18yearold winger Facundo Pellistri and reached an agreement to sign Atalanta’s teenage winger Amad Diallo.
European champion Bayern signed right back Bouna Sarr (28) from Olympique de Marseille and brought back Brazilian winger Douglas Costa on loan from Juventus.
Arsenal’s signing of 27yearold Partey should add some steel to its midfield. Arsenal’s Uruguay midfielder, Lucas Torreira, moved in the opposite direction on loan.
At United, attacking full back Telles and experienced former PSG forward Cavani now join Netherlands midfielder Donny van de Beek, who moved to United from Ajax last month.
Cavani was a free agent after leaving Paris St Germain and said he was looking forward to the challenge at Old Trafford.
‘‘I look forward to continuing to write my little story inside the book of football and I know that’s why my focus has to remain the same as always — work, work, work. I have had a conversation with the manager and this has increased my desire to wear this beautiful shirt,’’ he said. Pellistri joined United from Club Atletico Penarol on a fiveyear contract, with an option to extend for a further year.
The speedy teenager has already featured 37 times for the Uruguayan Primera Division club’s first team.
Highlyrated Ivorian Diallo (18), whose signing could cost United up to £37 million pounds including addons, is not expected to join until January due to workpermit issues.
Everton, which has had a 100% start to the season and leads the English Premier League, added another defender to its squad with centreback Ben Godfrey joining from Norwich City.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team also brought in Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen on a seasonlong loan from AS Roma.
Paris Saint Germain signed 27yearold Brazilian midfielder Rafinha from Barcelona on a threeyear deal.
In Italy, the biggest move of the day was Juventus signing Fiorentina winger Federico Chiesa in a ¤50 million ($NZ89 million) deal.
The 22yearold was raised at Fiorentina and is the son of former player Enrico Chiesa, who was in the team which won Fiorentina’s last major trophy, the Coppa Italia in 2001.
Juve’s major signing for this season was Brazilian midfielder Arthur from Barcelona. It has also signed Alvaro Morata from Atletico Madrid and US midfielder Weston McKennie from Schalke 04.
Napoli signed striker Tiemoue Bakayoko from Chelsea on loan, reuniting with manager Gennaro Gattuso, who was at AC Milan when the Frenchman spent a spell on loan at the San Siro.