Transfer window slams shut

The transfer window has slammed shut for another four months with a number of deals completed but relatively little money changing hands.

Apart from Chelsea’s capture of Real Madrid midfielder Claude Makelele - most clubs have contented themselves with both short and long-term loan deals.

Everton appear to have been the biggest winners on transfer deadline day, manager David Moyes pulling off a real coup by agreeing a deal to take Scotland’s hottest prospect striker James McFadden, scoring of 32 goals in 58 games for Motherwell, to Goodison Park.

The club were racing against time to complete the signing before the 5pm deadline after only having their bid accepted this afternoon.

Moyes, who followed up an initial enquiry for the 20-year-old with a firm bid late last night only to be rebuffed, followed up with a third approach - believed to be about £1.5m (€2.14m) – and the Scottish club bowed to pressure.

“The club deeply regrets having to sell such an outstanding player as James at this stage in the new season. However, Everton made an offer the club simply could not refuse,” said Motherwell chairman John Boyle.

“The directors and the manager Terry Butcher did everything possible to keep James at Fir Park. It is a great opportunity for the player and we hope our fans understand that it was impossible to stop him going to an English Premiership team willing to match the valuation we put on him.”

Moyes added extra firepower to the ranks by bringing former Blues favourite Francis Jeffers back to Merseyside on a season-long loan from Arsenal.

“This is his chance to put right the things that many people have said about him,” the manager told the club’s website. Www.evertonfc.com.

“I felt though that we needed to add a little bit more so as the season goes on we can have more goals from the squad and adding Francis should help that.”

And Moyes secured cover at the other end of the pitch by signing former England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn from Leeds on a two-year contract for a nominal fee, although he saw Mark Pembridge depart for Fulham.

“We will miss him because he has played well for us in recent weeks but in the long term I feel it is the right decision.”

Chelsea’s long-running attempts to sign France midfielder Makelele were finally completed at 11.30pm last night, less than 12 hours before the Champions League qualifying deadline, and the deal announced early this morning.

The 30-year-old, who has signed a four-year deal taking Chelsea’s spending through the £100m (€143m) barrier, said: “Everybody is talking about Chelsea. Real Madrid is no different to anyone. There’s lots of interest, everybody is talking about the ambition of the London club, Chelsea.”

Leeds boss Peter Reid, after letting Martyn go, has made a further two additions to his new-look squad after Brazilian Roque Junior won his appeal against the rejection of a work permit to make a loan move from AC Milan, with Marseille striker Cyril Chapuis also arriving on a temporary deal.

Leeds boss Reid said of Roque: “He is a World Cup winner and a European Champions League winner and he is a big boost for the squad. He is another quality player at the club.”

However, Ian Harte’s proposed move to Portsmouth collapsed after a misunderstanding about loan rules which saw Pompey boss Harry Redknapp use up his quota of domestic loans with today’s capture of West Brom striker Jason Roberts added to a previous deal for Chelsea’s new Russian midfielder Alexei Smertin.

“It’s a blow because we were all set to bring Ian in and both clubs were extremely happy with the circumstances of the deal,” said chief executive Peter Storrie.

“It was a simple misinterpretation by both Harry and Peter Reid of some fairly confusing rules.”

Pompey did sign former Newcastle goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek on a free transfer from Italian side Brescia, right from under the noses of fellow promoted side Wolves, with whom he had been training.

“I will be renewing my relationship with Shaka (Hislop) after competing with him for the number one spot at Newcastle. I am obviously starting out as Shaka’s deputy and will take things from there,” he told the club’s website, www.pompeyfc.co.uk.

Tottenham have completed the loan signing of Inter Milan midfielder Stephane Dalmat and manager Glenn Hoddle said: “This lad has got a bit of everything and has certainly got two good feet which is unusual nowadays in players.”

Charlton and England left-back Paul Konchesky has also moved to White Hart Lane on a month’s loan, with central defender Chris Perry heading in the opposite direction.

Burnley’s Glen Little has moved to Bolton on a month’s loan with Gareth Farrelly and Delroy Facey moving to Turf Moor on the same basis.

Aston Villa’s Moroccan midfielder Hassan Kachloul – who failed to make a single Premiership appearance last term – has joined Premiership rivals Wolves on loan until January 16.

Ipswich striker Marcus Bent was talking with Leicester about a season-long loan after travelling to the Walkers Stadium this afternoon to discuss terms.

Sunderland defender Michael Gray has completed a four-month loan deal with Celtic, joining former team-mate Stanislav Varga in Glasgow.

“When I first went there he was the captain and he really helped me to settle in. It’ll be nice to return the favour here,” said Varga.

Livingston striker Barry Wilson has joined Inverness on a three-year deal.