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Marouane Fellaini (Standard Liege to Everton) 31 Aug 2008
One of the trump cards that have defined David Moyes’ managerial career at Everton is the signing of this Belgian playmaker. The afro-haired Fellaini turned down offers from Real Madrid, Manchester United and Bayern Munich to accept a club record fee of £15m only an hour before the transfer window closed. Since then, he has marshalled the Toffees’ midfield and initiated numerous attacks, often doubling up as a second striker. Doubters can take a look at the video of his commanding performance against Manchester United this season. Fellaini has developed quite a fan following for his afro hairdo and aggressive play.
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Robinho (Real Madrid to Manchester City) 1 Sept 2008
That same day, the Al Nahyans of the Abu Dhabi royal family took control of Manchester City and immediately signaled their intentions by outmuscling Chelsea in the pursuit of Robinho. A deal of 32.5 million pounds was agreed on deadline day and penned on Sept 1. Robinho had actually preferred Chelsea, but City’s offer proved unputdownable. This marked the beginning of a new era at Eastlands. The Brazillian boy wonder struck 14 goals that season in England to finish as City’s top scorer. Plagued by injury and a dip in form in the next season, he exited England permanently in 2010 to join AC Milan. Another 14 league goals this time helped the Rossoneri scoop up the Serie A crown.
Andrei Arshavin (Zenit St. Petersburg to Arsenal) 2 Feb 2009
Russia and Arshavin had a glorious 2008 during which Zenit won the UEFA Cup and Russia reached the Euro semis. Noteworthy was their skittling of England in the qualifiers and the 3-0 blanking of Netherlands in the Quarters. Arshavin expectly pined for a move to a big club, but deals with Real, Barca, Juventus and Milan came a cropper. Arshavin had moved into London Colney for a move to the Emirates, but a sufficient bid from Arsenal came only in at the eleventh hour on the final day. In further drama, payment of compensation, passing of a medical and a huge snowstorm held up the deal. Eventually, things fell in place the next morning and Arshavin became a Gunner. The £13.5m switch had an immediate impact. He made history that April by becoming the first player in over 60 years to score 4 goals in a league encounter at Anfield in a scintillating 4-4 draw.
