United seal Falcao deal on last day of transfers

Manchester United swooped from nowhere on Monday to make striker Radamel Falcao the surprise big signing on the last day of Europe's record-breaking summer transfer window.

The move, subject to the Columbian passing a medical, is expected to take the club’s spending since the opening of the transfer market $250 million.  The deal is likely to be a one-year loan signing. 

The deal had a domino effect at the club as their Mexican striker Javier Hernandez joined Real Madrid on a season long loan. 

"Real Madrid and Manchester United have reached an agreement for the loan of Javier Hernandez, who will be tied to the club for this season," the Spanish club said in a statement.

"Real Madrid reserves the option to buy the player." Hernandez becomes Real's fourth signing of the transfer window after the arrivals of World Cup stars James Rodriguez, Toni Kroos and Keylor Navas.

"I am delighted and I want to thank everyone at this great institution for the effort they showed in bringing me here," he said.

The 26-year-old scored 59 goals in 154 appearances for United over the past four seasons, but had fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford even before the English side reportedly sealed a sensational loan deal for Colombian hitman Radamel Falcao on Monday.

He is expected to provide cover for first-choice centre forward Karim Benzema after the departure of the Frenchman's previous understudy Alvaro Morata to Juventus in June.

Some of the other notable moves on a frenzied last day of transfer activity saw Englishman Micah Richards arrive in Florence for a medical with Fiorentina, while Chelsea’s Marco Van Ginkel joined Italian giants AC Milan. 

Meanwhile, La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, who were looking to strengthen their forward line after selling Diego Costa to Chelsea, announced the signing of Alessio Cerci from Torino.