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Bale is a record acquisition for Real Madrid
The summer football transfer market is now officially closed.
With Monday, September 2, being the deadline, clubs moved at a frentic pace to make last-ditch signings.
High profile clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal, having been dormant all summer , were desperate in the last couple of days. While they managed to make a marquee signing, they failed to add to it.
On the other hand, the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur will be extremely happy with their efforts in the market.
Even as the action now shifts entirely to the field, Bikash Mohapatra analyses the top 10 transfers.
Gareth Bale
(Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid)
85 million pounds (100 million euros)
The most protracted, and most expensive, transfer deal of the summer; Real's desperation to land Bale made them offer Tottenham Hotspur a record amount.
The North London club was expectedly hesitant, delaying the deal in a bid to ensure adequate reinforcements.
However, eventually, they had to give the 25-year-old the go-ahead.
Bale became the first Welshman ever to sign at the Santiago Bernebeu, and the first British player at Real since Jonathan Woodgate in 2004.
With many questioning the sum involved, he will have a tough time proving his worth, though.
From Naples to Paris
Edinson Cavani
(Napoli to Paris Saint-Germain)
55 million pounds (64.5 million euros)
He was poised to surpass Diego Maradona's all-time record of 115 goals for Napoli and thereby cement his place as a legend in Naples.
Edinson Cavani instead opted to move to Paris.
The fact that he scored a staggering 36 goals for Napoli in all competitions last season ensured PSG didn't baulk at offering him an 8.5 million pounds-a-season salary.
The Uruguayan has already started paying his new club back.
Champions League? Who cares
Radamel Falcao
(Atletico Madrid to AS Monaco)
52 million pounds (60 million euros)
Why would a striker miss out on the opportunity of playing in the Champions League to join a newly-promoted club?
For Radamel Falcao, the cash offered by big-spending Moncao proved good enough motivation.
The Colombian has already impressed the principality club with what he does best - scoring goals!
In partnership with Messi
Neymar
(Santos to Barcelona)
48.6 million pounds (57 million euros)
Barcelona fought off interest from Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich to land Neymar.
The player, on his part, was excited about the prospect of teaming up with Lionel Messi.
The end result was the second biggest deal in the Nou Camp club's history (after Zlatan Ibrahimovic) and the formation of a partnership to look forward to.
The record German signing
Mesut Ozil
(Real Madrid to Arsenal)
42.4 million pounds (50 million euros)
Arsenal, having not made a single signing in the summer, were desperate to make one.
The problem, no one was available.
Arsene Wenger's pursuit of Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez had come up to naught.
However, with Gareth Bale signing a record deal with Real, Ozil became surplus to their requirement.
Arsenal seized the opportunity and signed the German playmaker on deadline day.
Two Colombians, one combined deal
James Rodriguez
(FC Porto to AS Monaco)
38.5 million pounds (45 million euros)
The 21-year-old Colombian is one of the most-highly rated wingers.
James Rodriguez was an integral part of FC Porto's title-winning squad last season.
He was also one of Monaco's earliest signings, coming in as a package deal along with teammate Joao Moutinho for a combined fee of 70 million euros.
Monaco have already started benefiting from his signature.
This Argentine can score goals
Gonzalo Higuain
(Real Madrid to Napoli)
34.5 million pounds (39 million euros)
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis had handed new coach Rafa Benitez a 60 million euros purse.
Another 65 million came from the sale of Cavani.
Benitez, after buying a slew of players, was on the look-out for a striker to replace the Uruguayan.
The Spaniard found his man in Gonzalo Higuain.
The Argentine's reputation as a goal-scorer - with more than 100 strikes for Real Madrid - prompted the Naples club to pen him down to a five-year deal.
Higuain has already found the net for Napoli.
Is Fernandinho worth 34 million pounds?
Fernandinho
(Shakhtar Donetsk to Manchester City)
34 million pounds (40 million euros)
Fernandinho grabbed eyeballs after his strong midfield display for Shakhtar in the Champions League last season.
So impressed were Manchester City by the 28-year-old that they did not hesitate paying a whopping amount for his signature.
Whether he is worth the price only time will tell.
Ditching Dortmund for Munich
Mario Gotze
(Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich)
31.5 million pounds (37 million euros)
One of the lynchpins in Borussia Dortmund's resurgence, Mario Gotze didn't hesitate a bit in joining their arch-rivals.
In fact, Bayern Munich activated the German international's release clause to expedite the process.
While the Dortmund faithful may never forgive him, Bayern fans have already lapped up the attacking midfielder.
Moving twice over in a year
Willian
(Anzhi Makhachkala to Chelsea)
30 million pounds (35.4 million euros)
In January this year, Willian left Shakhtar Donetsk and moved to Anzhi Makhachkala for a fee of 35 million euros.
However, the Russian club's sudden decision to cut costs ensured he was on his way out earlier than expected.
Tottenham Hotspur had almost signed the Brazilian - he even had a medical with them - when rivals Chelsea made a late bid, eventually penning him down to a five-year contract.