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Transfer deadline day: Five talking points

:Headline: Transfer deadline day: Five talking points: ID:174607: from db_amp
Sports Mole selects the five biggest talking points involving Premier League clubs from transfer deadline day.

So, what is everyone going to talk about for the next few months? The transfer window closed night with a record amount of money having been spent.

As is often the case, clubs in the Premier League outspent many of their European counterparts, even on deadline day.

Here, Sports Mole has picked out five of the biggest talking points to have arisen from yesterday's deals.


1. Revolving door for strikers at Old Trafford

When Manchester United chief executive Ed Woodward told supporters to "watch this space" during an interview earlier this summer, many believed that he must have been talking about Angel di Maria. In turns out, Woodward had another ace up his sleeve in the form of Radamel Falcao, who was confirmed as a United player on a season-long loan at around 1am. It would seem that Louis van Gaal has decided that United will score their way back into the Champions League, rather than be built upon solid foundations.

Falcao's arrival has caused a conundrum for Van Gaal - how does he fit the Colombian in with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Juan Mata, Adnan Januzaj and Di Maria? Some will surely have to give way, which meant that other exits were inevitable. First to depart was Javier Hernandez, who appears to have swapped the bench at Old Trafford for the one at the Bernabeu by agreeing a loan switch to Real Madrid. While fans accepted that the time was right for the Mexican to move on, Danny Welbeck's departure has divided opinion. The truth is, the Longsight-born frontman was struggling for starting appearances before Falcao joined the ranks. What does grate, though, is the fact he has joined Arsenal - a direct rival.


2. Is Welbeck what Arsenal need?

Even before Olivier Giroud suffered a broken leg, many felt that Arsene Wenger needed to bolster his options up front. As well as perhaps requiring an energetic holding midfielder, the Gunners have lacked the clinical striker required to win a league title since Van Persie moved to United in 2012. Giroud's return of 16 goals last term was more than respectable, but it still wasn't enough.

Just as those of a Man United persuasion are split regarding the decision to let Welbeck leave, their Arsenal counterparts have been unable to reach a common consensus where the 23-year-old is concerned. Critics of the England international will point to the fact that he has never scored more than 12 goals in one season, while his supporters will point to the fact that he has not always been played as an out and out centre-forward. Time will tell, but deadly in front of goal is not a characteristic that is often attributed to Welbeck.


3. Hectic Hull earn plaudits

Steve Bruce, quite rightly, has described himself as delighted with the business that Hull City were able to conclude during the final 24 hours of the transfer window. A quartet of players arrived at the KC Stadium, all bringing with them different qualities, while George Boyd, in the knowledge that he was surplus to requirements, headed for Burnley.

Mohamed Diame will provide some steel to the midfield, with Gaston Ramirez and Hatem Ben Arfa sure to add some spark and creativity in the final third of the pitch. If that wasn't enough, the Tigers also smashed their transfer record by bringing in Uruguayan striker Abel Hernandez for a reported £10m from Palermo. The 24-year-old may be an unknown quantity in England, but he comes with a reputation as an exciting frontman with plenty of pace.


4. Leicester bank on youth

Having recruited the experience of Argentine veteran Esteban Cambiasso last week, Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson turned to youth yesterday as he finalised the squad that he believes can keep the Foxes in the Premier League. Nineteen-year-old Kristian Scott signed on from Swansea City, although it is not expected that he will go straight into the first team.

However, the two signings from Man United might just do that. Midfielder Nick Powell, 20, joined on a season-long deal, while Wales international Tom Lawrence, who was given his United debut by interim manager Ryan Giggs towards the end of last season, agreed a permanent switch. The duo have shown their potential in the Football League during loan deals, but now they need to fulfil it in the top fight.


5. Swans hold on to star

It was all about keeping what you have got, rather than adding to it as far as Swansea City manager Garry Monk was concerned. The Swans have started the new Premier League campaign positively and while Wilfried Bony is yet to find the net this term, losing him would have severely dented the team's chances of having a successful campaign.

The likes of Arsenal were linked with the Ivorian, who scored 25 goals in all competitions during his debut season with the Welsh outfit, but Sports Mole learned yesterday afternoon that he would remain at the Liberty Stadium. Supposed late interest from Monaco didn't alter that and if the 25-year-old can rediscover his clinical touch in front of goal shortly, there is no reason why Swansea won't continue to pick up positive results.


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