Everton secured the services of Colombian World Cup star Yerry Mina from Barcelona on an unusually quiet deadline day in the Premier League as Manchester United failed to satisfy manager Jose Mourinho's desire to sign a centre-back.
For the first time the Premier League deadline was moved forward to the day before the season kicks off when United hosts Leicester City on Friday.
Updates: English Transfer Deadline Day 2018
Unlike in England, the window for the rest of Europe's leading leagues doesn't close until later in August, meaning Premier League clubs have faced even more inflated prices when buying from the continent.
Yet, an expected deluge of deadline day deals failed to materialise with Everton the most active after also sealing a season-long loan deal for midfielder Andre Gomes from Barcelona and the capture of Brazilian winger Bernard on a free transfer.
Mina scored three times in three games at the World Cup in Russia, including against Everton's England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with a dramatic stoppage time header to send its last-16 tie to extra-time.
Yet, Mina failed to impress in making just six appearances for Barca after joining from Palmeiras in January and the Catalan giant was keen to cash in on the 23-year-old, who cost just 11.8 million euros seven months ago.
Later, Fulham announced the signing of Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, the Cameroon international joining from Marseille for a reported €30million.
Read: West Ham adds Colombia international Carlos Sanchez
After Chelsea shattered the world record fee for a goalkeeper with an 80-million euro (£71.6 million, $92 million) swoop for Athletic Bilbao's Kepa Arrizabalaga, there was little late movement from the top six clubs with Mourinho in particular frustrated at missing out on a host of targets to bolster his defence.
Harry Maguire, who could face United for Leicester on Friday, Bayern Munich's Jerome Boateng, Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham and Mina were all linked with United, while Atletico Madrid's Diego Godin emerged as a late target on Thursday.
But Mourinho accepted early on Thursday he was unlikely to get his wish.
- Liverpool steal a march -
Liverpool look like the big winners of the window as it has emerged as second favourite for the title behind champion Manchester City after doing its business early in splashing over £170 million on Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker and midfielders Fabinho, Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri.
Also read: Courtois hopes for Hazard reunion at Real Madrid
Despite slashing a club record £60 million on signing Riyad Mahrez, City has enjoyed a quiet window.
Australian teenager Daniel Arzani joined the English champion from sister club Melbourne City on Thursday will be sent out on loan to Celtic.
Tottenham Hotspur became the first Premier League side since the summer window was introduced in 2003 to not make a single signing.
Also read: Goalkeepers strike rich in the transfer window
But manager Mauricio Pochettino insisted he is happy with his squad after tying down the likes of Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-min to new contracts.
“We have a very good squad, with very good players and it is very difficult to add players to that,” he said.
Leicester arguably enjoyed the best deadline day as on top of resisting United's interest in Maguire and tying down Jamie Vardy to a new four-year deal, it snapped up defenders Filip Benkovic and Caglar Soyuncu.
Wolves' impressive summer of dealing on their return to the top flight continued by signing versatile Belgian international Leander Dendoncker from Anderlecht.
Also read: Manchester City striker Nmecha joins Preston on loan
West Ham signed Spanish striker Lucas Perez from Arsenal and Colombian midfielder Carlos Sanchez to complete a near £100 million summer spend.
Fulham secured season-long loan deals for Sevilla goalkeeper Sergio Rico, Atletico Madrid striker Luciano Vietto and Manchester United defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah.
The promoted west Londoners also sealed a permanent deal for Bristol City defender Joe Bryan.
Ghana striker Jordan Ayew has joined Crystal Palace from Swansea on a season-long loan, while Huddersfield brought in Montpellier's Belgium Under-21 winger Isaac Mbenza on a season-long loan.
Southampton made a late bid to sign Liverpool striker Danny Ings with a deal sheet submitted to the Premier League, giving Saints an extra couple of hours to get a loan move finalised.
Meanwhile, Brighton and Hove Albion announced the signing of of fromer Barcelona defender Martin Montoya from Valencia on a four-year deal.
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