Football: the best pictures of transfer-window action

There was little clue to the dramatic events that would later unfold when Roman Pavlyuchenko became deadline day's first major signing by completing his anticipated move from Spartak Moscow to Tottenham Photograph: Andreas Rentz/Getty

Vedran Corluka, who had hinted at his impending departure from Manchester City to Tottenham when he threw his shirt to City fans after the weekend win over Sunderland, became the day's second big signing when he completed an £8.5m switch to White Hart Lane Photograph: Mike Egerton/Empics

Manchester City fans reacted with delight when news broke that the super-rich Abu Dhabi United Group had taken over the club Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA

There was joy around Eastlands and dismay at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea target Robinho signed for Manchester City from Real Madrid for a British-record £32.5m Photograph: Dani Pozo/AFP

For all their newfound wealth City were unable to scupper Dimitar Berbatov's long-awaited move to Manchester United, but after a day of intense speculation Sir Alex Ferguson had to wait until late on Monday night to secure the Bulgarian's signature Photograph: John Peters/Getty

Marouane Fellaini's impressive showing for Standard Liège against city rivals Liverpool last week convinced Everton boss David Moyes to pay a club record £15m for the midfield enforcer Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty

Rafael Benítez is backing Spanish international Albert Riera to strengthen Liverpool's troublesome left flank after the winger completed his move from Espanyol Photograph: Phil Cole/Getty

Days after signing an improved five-year contract with Valencia, David Villa was again linked with a move to the Premier League amid rumours of a bid from Manchester City Photograph: Juan Carlos Cardenas/EPA

Arsenal fans hoping for further additions to their side will have to make do with Samir Nasri and Mikaël Silvestre after the possible late signing that Arsène Wenger had hinted at failed to materialise Photograph: Sean Dempsey/PA

The red card he received after scoring in Sunday's 4-2 win at Celtic proved the final episode in Daniel Cousin's Rangers career as the striker clinched a move to Hull Photograph: Russell Cheyne/Reuters

There were no fresh faces joining James Milner at Aston Villa on deadline day, but after a busy summer in the transfer market boss Martin O'Neill will feel he has a squad to compete with the best Photograph: Reuters

Rumours of Michael Owen's departure proved unfounded, but that didn't stop Newcastle bolstering their forward line with the £5.7m addition of Deportivo hit-man Xisco Photograph: Phil Cole/Getty