LONDON: Manchester United made four signings on transfer deadline day, including Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani while European champions Bayern Munich strengthened with two new arrivals.

But the biggest single move of the final day of deal-making was midfielder Thomas Partey making a 45 million pound ($58.46 million) switch from Atletico Madrid to Arsenal.

United signed Cavani on a free transfer, Brazilian left back Alex Telles from Porto, Uruguayan 18-year-old winger Facundo Pellistri and reached an agreement to sign Atalanta’s teenage winger Amad Diallo.

European champions Bayern signed right back Bouna Sarr from Olympique de Marseille and brought back Brazilian winger Douglas Costa on loan from Juventus.

Arsenal met the 45 million pound ($58.40 million) release clause for the 27-year-old Ghana international Partey who should add some steel to their midfield.

Partey has made 188 appearances for the Spanish giants and was part of the Atletico sides that reached the 2016 Champions League final and beat Arsenal on the way to winning the Europa League in 2018.

“We have been watching Thomas for a while, so we’re now delighted to add such a high quality player to our squad,” said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. “He is a dynamic midfielder with great energy.”

Uruguayan international Lucas Torreira has gone the other way from Arsenal to Atletico on a season-long loan deal, while another frozen out midfielder at the Emirates, Matteo Guendouzi, joined Hertha Berlin on loan.

United’s 6-1 thrashing at home by Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday has increased the pressure on chief executive Ed Woodward to give manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer some new options. 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 thats 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.

Solskjaer said he was hoping Cavani could add to the team’s fire power.

“He’ll bring energy, power, leadership and a great mentality to the squad but, most importantly, he’ll bring goals,” said the Norwegian.

Pellistri joined United from Club Atletico Penarol on a five-year contract, with an option to extend for a further year.

The speedy teenager has already featured 37 times for the Uruguayan Primera Division clubs first team.

Highly-rated Ivorian Diallo, 18, whose signing could cost United up to 37 million pounds including add-ons, is not expected to join until January due to work-permit issues.

Everton, who have had a 100% start to the season and lead the Premier League, added another defender to their squad with centre-back Ben Godfrey joining from Norwich City.

Carlo Ancelotti’s team also brought in Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen on a season-long loan from AS Roma.

BAYERN MAKE DOUBLE MOVE

According to a report by the Centre for Economics Business Research, Premier League clubs were on course for an astonishing 95 percent of the net spend in Europe’s big five leagues this transfer window.

Barcelona’s accounts for the 2019-20 season showed the drastic impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on even the world’s richest clubs as the Catalans revealed 97 million euro losses on Monday.

Barca’s financial problems meant they could not agree deals for Lyon’s Memphis Depay or Manchester City defender Eric Garcia, but Rafinha left the Camp Nou in a cut-price deal to join Paris St Germain.

Bayern Munich added two new players as Douglas Costa returned to the Allianz Arena for a second spell on loan from Juventus.

The right back position had long been a focus for Bayern, who won the Bundesliga and Champions League last season and the 28-year-old Sarr joins from Marseille on a four year contract.

In Italy, the biggest move of the day was Juventus signing Fiorentina winger Federico Chiesa in a 50 million euro ($58.92 million) deal.

The 22-year-old 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. They have also signed Alvaro Morata from Atletico Madrid and US midfielder Weston McKennie from Schalke 04.

Napoli signed French midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko from Chelsea on loan, re-uniting with manager Gennaro Gattuso, who was at AC Milan when the Frenchman spent a spell on loan at the San Siro.

English defender Chris Smalling returned to Roma on a permanent deal from Manchester United for 15 million euros after impressing during a loan spell last season.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2020