Saints pull off the coup of the day

Bad day for:

Given the high-profile departures of Robin van Persie and Alex Song, Arsenal fans had a right to expect some excitement on transfer deadline day; but instead all they got was a day of radio silence and a nagging sensation that this could be a tough season. Nicklas Bendtner departed, rumours of a move for Chelsea crock Michael Essien were dismissed; and then Arsenal barely featured in the endless hours of coverage that had fans of other clubs inexplicably unable to take their eyes off Sky Sports News. Unless Arsene Wenger was saving the best for last, it was frustration personified.

It didn’t take a genius to work out that Liverpool’s biggest problem last season was they didn't score enough goals; you only had to be present at one of several goalless draws at Anfield or witness Luis Suarez hitting the post and scraping a succession of efforts wide before the penny dropped. So what do they do on transfer deadline day? Allow £35m man Andy Carroll to leave on loan to West Ham and struggle painfully to bring in a replacement. Stand by for more of the same at Anfield.

Did anyone mention Manchester United? There wasn’t a peep from Old Trafford as the biggest club in the world sat by and watched the action on transfer deadline day having put all their eggs in the van Persie basket. And there will be many United fans wondering if that was wise. Having the Dutchman on board is a big asset, but what about the age-old problems in central midfield? What about back-up for Nemanja Vidic? United have taken a big gamble on a day when rivals City made five signings — and it may prove costly.

Good day for:

The signing of Uruguayan winger Gaston Ramirez, a player who has been seriously chased by clubs the stature of Manchester City, Liverpool, Juventus and Inter Milan, is a remarkable coup; and although Southampton paid a club record £12m to get their man, he could still prove to be a steal, given he is only 21 years old and has the kind of potential that has intrigued so many well-respected scouts. It is a significant transfer, too, for a club that has jumped two divisions in two years, hasn’t won a league game this season and has already been labelled favourites for relegation. There is room for a new hero.

Fans of west London club Fulham always knew they could lose Clint Dempsey this summer; but the arrival of Dimitar Berbatov is possibly the most interesting and significant of transfer deadline day. The former Manchester United man will give Fulham both goals and glamour, adding to the feeling that chairman Mohamed Al Fayed, who has suffered plenty of sneers and withering asides from pundits over the years, has turned his club into one of the most well-run and progressive in the top flight. Manchester United of the south? Not quite; but Fulham are certainly a club on the up.

After years playing in a more defensive league in Italy, the attacking Brazilian full-back is in for a treat in the Premier League as part of a Manchester City side that could now turn to three-at-the-back and really turn on the style in a bid to retain their championship. At the age of 31 it may well be his last big move — so no doubt the wages (rumoured to be heading towards €200,000) will come in handy too — but the real joy will be seeing the Brazilian fly forward in a league where pace is king. He should be a sensation.