Madrid: Spanish giants Real Madrid’s failure to sign English club Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea was the biggest story on the last day of the transfer market in Spain but several other important deals were completed on time.
De Gea’s transfer, one of the most anticipated moves of the season, collapsed because the necessary paperwork was not submitted in time. However, no official announcement has yet been made by either club.
It is still not clear whether additional time will be given to the clubs to complete the deal. But there is no precedent for Spanish clubs being given additional time to conclude transfers as there is in England.
The most noteworthy deal completed on Monday saw winger Joaquin Sanchez return to Real Betis, where he began his career, from Italian club Fiorentina.
The capture of Joaquin was consolation for Betis fans who nevertheless saw how fellow Spanish club Villarreal were quicker off the mark to sign their other transfer target, Adrian Lopez. Adrian moves to Villarreal on a loan deal from Portuguese side Porto.
Madrid based outfit Rayo Vallecano were also active on the last day of the transfer window, landing the signatures of winger Pablo Hernandez and striker Javi Guerra.
Former Spain international Hernandez returns to Spain following a brief spell in Qatar, while Guerra, who spent part of last season on loan from Malaga, joins from British club Cardiff City.
Midfielder Izat Hajrovic arrived on loan at Eibar, who have signed him for a year from German side Werder Bremen, while the Basque club saw Javi Erraso leave to go and play in Italy.
Granada signed left back Neuton on loan from Udinese, who have the same owners as the Spanish club, while Sevilla brought in Marco Andreolli from Italian heavyweights Inter Milan.
These last minute deals helped to lift the total summer spending in Spain to 558 million euros (around $610 million).
The biggest spenders were Atletico Madrid, who spent 120 million euros ($134.9 million), Valencia 137 million euros ($154 million) and Real Madrid 81 million euros ($91 million).
