Man City signs trio on deadline day

LONDON - Agence France-Presse

AFP PHOTO

Manchester City completed a trio of signings on Aug. 31, the deadline for the transfer window.

City paid six millions for Swansea winger Scott Sinclair, three million pounds for Inter’s right back Maicon and splashed out 22 million pounds for Benfica midfielder Javi Garcia as the Premier League champions set the pace in the frantic final hours before the transfer window closed.

With only a few hours left to bring in new players before the window shuts until January, England’s top-flight clubs were engaged in a frenzy of last-minute wheeling and dealing that saw a host of top stars on the move.

City boss Roberto Mancini has endured a frustrating time in the transfer market since the end of last season, but his move for the highly-rated Sinclair could trigger a late flurry of action at Eastlands.
“I’m just glad everything is settled and that I’m now a City player,” Sinclair said. “There were times when I thought it might not happen so I’m relieved that I’m here and I can’t wait to get started.”

To make room for his fresh recruits, Mancini sold Nigel de Jong to AC Milan, while Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz could be on the move to Malaga.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers continued his Anfield clear-out as Scotland international Charlie Adam was sold to Stoke for 4 million, while fellow midfielder Jay Spearing joined Bolton on a season-long loan.

Rodgers has been looking to bring in American forward Clint Dempsey from Fulham and that deal was close to be completed on Aug. 31.

“We’re hopeful of adding to the squad. There are a number of players we’re looking at,” Rodgers said.
Across Merseyside, Everton signed Bryan Oviedo from FC Copenhagen after agreeing a fee for the Costa Rica defender.

Tottenham also had a busy day after Holland midfielder Rafael van der Vaart headed to Germany to return to his former club Hamburg.

That prompted a significant spending spree from Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas, who signed Porto midfielder Joao Moutinho and Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. However, another Spurs target, Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov, went to Fulham.

Fulham also signed former England left back Kieran Richardson from Sunderland, who then landed Tottenham defender Danny Rose on loan as a replacement.

Swansea, needing a replacement for Sinclair, signed Valencia winger Pablo Hernandez for 5.5 millions.