• Saturday, September 28, 2024
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Manchester United sign four on transfer deadline day

Edinson Cavani-2

Uruguayan striker, Edinson Cavani

Manchester United were the busiest Premier League club on deadline day, signing four players including Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani on a free transfer.

The Red Devils signed Brazilian left-back Alex Telles from Porto for a fee of 15m euros (£13.6m) plus 2m euros (£1.8m) in add-ons.

United also spent £9m on winger Facundo Pellistri, 18, who joins from Uruguayan side Penarol and has a five-year deal, while Atalanta winger Amad Diallo will join the club in January.

The club say he will move to Old Trafford “subject to medical, personal terms and work permit”.

United have agreed to pay 21m euros (£19m) for 18-year-old Diallo with another 20m euros (£18.2m) in add-ons.

There was also an outgoing at Old Trafford, with defender Chris Smalling returning to Roma on a three-year deal worth 15m euros (£13.6m), rising to 20m euros (£18.1m) with add-ons.

Cavani has been without a club since leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of June.

The 33-year-old is PSG’s all-time top scorer, scoring 200 goals in seven seasons at the Parc des Princes.

Cavani could even make his debut against his former club as United open their Champions League campaign away to PSG on October 20.

“Manchester United is one of the greatest clubs in the world, so it is a real honour to be here,” said Cavani. “I’ve worked really hard during the time off and I feel eager to compete and represent this incredible club.”

United also signed Brazilian international left-back Alex Telles from Porto for £13.5 million ($19 million, 15 million euros) and agreed a deal with Atalanta for the future transfer of teenage winger Amad Diallo.

The English giants were under the spotlight after a humiliating 6-1 home defeat to Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday after making just one signing all window before Monday in Dutch international midfielder Donny van de Beek.

Cavani will bring experience to a talented young frontline formed by Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood.

However, it is at the other end of the field that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are badly in need of fresh blood after conceding 13 goals in their opening three Premier League games.

“The opportunity for our young players to learn from one of Europe’s top goalscorers over the last 10 years is fantastic and it will really benefit them going forward,” said Solskjaer.

“He’ll bring energy, power, leadership and a great mentality to the squad but, most importantly, he’ll bring goals.

“He has had a brilliant career so far, winning trophies at almost every club he has played for, and he still has so much more to give at the highest level.”

Cavani won six Ligue 1 titles during his time with PSG and lifted the Copa America in 2011 with Uruguay.

“I have played in front of some of the most passionate supporters in football during my career and I know that it will be the same in Manchester,” added Cavani. “I cannot wait to experience the Old Trafford atmosphere, when it is safe for the fans to return.”

There was also a departure from Old Trafford on Monday as Chris Smalling secured a permanent move to Roma for 15 million euros after impressing for the Italians during a loan spell last season.