Manchester United competed the signing of Marouane Fellaini just in time, after agreeing a fee of £27.5m with Everton.
The Belgium midfielder has been chased by David Moyes all summer, and is one of three new arrivals at Old Trafford, along with Uruguay U20 defender Guillermo Varela, and highly rated Swiss teenager Saidy Janko.
Fellaini has been assigned the number 31 shirt, which was recently vacated by defender Scott Wootton following his move to Leeds United.
Meanwhile, the club failed in a bid to sign Real Madrid left-back Fabio Coentrao due to paperwork not being completed in time, the Mirror understands, while the Express have reported that the Premier League champions failed with last minute attempts to bring in Wesley Sjneider of Galatasary and Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira.
The club were also unsuccessful with a bid to sign Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrara, amid suggestions that imposters had posed as United officials, Sky Sports understands.
Two players that left Old Trafford yesterday, albeit temporarily, were Portuguese forward Bebe who has moved to Pacos de Ferreira, and Nick Powell, who is set to gain further European experience with Championship side Wigan Athletic.