Everton lead the way on final day
EVERTON shrugged aside Manchester United’s criticism of Yerry Mina’s agents to sign the Colombian defender from Barcelona for £28.5million. United balked at a deal, privately blaming the 23-yearold’s representatives for escalating commission fees, but Everton completed their summer-long courtship. The fee is an initial £27.2m with a further £1.3m in add-ons, while Barcelona have also inserted a buy-back option, understood to be set at £54m. Everton also took Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes from Barcelona, on a season-long loan for a £2m fee. A loan deal for Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma will also be ratified today after the club filed paperwork before yesterday’s 7pm deadline. Unlike his United counterpart Jose Mourinho, Marco Silva will be happy with the support given to him by Everton’s board as they also confirmed the arrival of exciting Brazilian midfielder Bernard. A deal for Marcos Rojo fell through owing to United’s inability to add another defender. And agents’ fees stalled Mo Besic’s proposed £6m move to Middlesbrough. While Everton were the big dealers, Tottenham became the first Premier League club not to make a signing in a summer window since its introduction in 2003. That was far from the case at Fulham, who became the first side promoted to the Premier League to spend over £100m with the £30m coup of midfielder Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, 22, from Marseille. He was quickly followed by goalkeeper Sergio Rico on loan from Sevilla and left back Joe Bryan from Bristol City. Atletico Madrid striker Luciano Vietto also flew in to sign for Fulham on loan. Although Brighton beat them to the signing of Valencia right back Martin Montoya, Fulham switched sights to snare Timothy Fosu-Mensah on loan from Manchester United.