A record $1.3 billion was spent by English Premier league clubs in the summer transfer window.
But the most intriguing moments at the end of the frenzied trading period centered on the deals that never went through and the public quarrels between clubs. None more so perhaps than Spain goalkeeper David de Gea.
STOPPER STAYS
Manchester United knew for months that Real Madrid wanted to sign De Gea, but the Spanish giants ran out of time to get the deal done.
The collapse of the transfer late on Monday, when Spain's transfer window closed, sparked a day of public quarreling between two of football's wealthiest clubs over who was at fault.
STANDING FIRM
In England, Everton would not even get round the table with Chelsea to consider selling defender John Stones and Tottenham was similarly rebuffed in its pursuit of West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino.
Chelsea's failure to persuade Everton to sell Stones — even for $60 million — led to the london club reinforcing its leaky defense with Papy Djilobodji from Nantes.
BIG SPENDERS
In its bid to regain the title from Chelsea, the Abu-Dhabi-owned club lavished 160 million pounds ($245 million) in the summer, a record for a Premier league club, according to accountancy firm Deloitte.
England's four Champions league participants — Manchester rivals United and City, Chelsea and Arsenal — spent around $520 million in the summer. But Arsenal only accounted for 3 percent of that with Petr Cech being the london club's solitary signing.
COUNTRY CONTRASTS
Deloitte reported that Premier league clubs were Europe's biggest topflight spenders by doing 870 million pounds ($1.3 billion) of business — up 4 percent on the previous record — followed by Italy ($620 million), Spain ($612 million), Germany($444 million) and France ($337 million).