The Christmas morning for football fans arrived on 2nd September.
Jim White let loose on Sky Sports, Harry Redknapp conducting an interview through his car window, and speculation aplenty. Yes, it was transfer deadline day.
It started predictably enough with the confirmation that Gareth Bale would become a Real Madrid player for a fee of £85million, earning an astonishing £300,000 a week.
The beginning of Sky Sports News’ Deadline Day coverage focused on Bale’s introduction to the Madrid fans at the Bernabeu, where Gareth demonstrated how the most expensive footballer in the world couldn’t do more than five kick-ups for his new, adoring public.
Once all the pomp and ceremony in Madrid was dealt with, the attention turned to the news that was emerging from Arsenal.
Incredibly, Arsenal was paying more than £15million for a player, a lot more. They were smashing their record transfer fee to try and pull off an astounding £42.5 million transfer for Real Madrid and Germany playmaker Mesut Ozil.
The North London Club was the favourite to complete the deal, and a rumour that Manchester United were planning to bid for the German did not materialise.
Late into Monday night, with only 30 minutes to spare, the official announcement came through that Ozil would indeed become an Arsenal player.
Some would say that of all the positions Arsenal could have strengthened, attacking midfielder was not priority. Ozil will certainly improve their squad, but the suggestion is that they haven’t really strengthened where they needed to.
A centre back and another attacker are probably needed for them to really challenge for the title, but the signing of Ozil is certainly a start.
Other stories on Deadline Day included the reported attempts to bring Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini to Manchester United.
United were reportedly willing to meet the release clause in Herrera’s contract, but with only hours remaining, it emerged that it was imposters who had apparently tried to get in on the transfer.
It emerged that United had tried to negotiate the transfer fee, but had not reached an agreement.
Fellaini however, successfully signed for the Premier League champions.
Confirmation came after the deadline, but it was announced that for £27.5 million, Moyes had got his man.
However, from reported targets Thiago, Fabregas and Herrera, United would appear to have signed a slightly different type of player than was expected.
It also looked liked Coentrao would join United, but Real Madrid pulled the plug at the last minute.
The fee paid to Everton for Fellaini allowed them to splash the cash, eventually forcing a deal for Wigan midfielder James McCarthy. This news came despite Dave Whelan having said earlier in the night that Everton had not met the valuation.
That wasn’t all for Everton, as they signed Gareth Barry and Romelu Lukaku for season long loans, also retaining the services of Leighton Baines.
Liverpool completed the signings of three players very early on during Deadline Day. Sakho and Ilori both joined on long-term deals, with Moses joining on loan from Chelsea.
Look out for Liverpool this season. They have done shrewd business this window and looking at their efficient performances so far this year, they could shock a few people.
Shane Long became one of the main talking points of the night. It seemed like Long was set for a move to Hull City, smashing their club transfer record in the process, but Steve Clarke halted the deal after his efforts to bring Lukaku back to West Brom failed.
The Deadline Day madness continued right up until Big Ben had signalled 11 o’clock, and deadline day had proved as exciting as ever.
Roll on January, when the great transfer circus once again rolls into town.