Transfer round-up: West Ham has stunned the football world with the signings of Argentina internationals Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano from Corinthians on permanent contracts.
The Argentinian duo, who both starred for their country at the World Cup this summer, move to Upton Park for undisclosed fees.
A statement on the West Ham website read: "The transfers represent a massive coup for the Hammers, who have beaten off some of Europe's biggest clubs to secure the services of the duo."
A statement on the club's website, whufc.co.uk, said: "The pair have been signed for an undisclosed fee and put pen to paper on permanent contracts with the Club this afternoon. All other aspects of the transfers will remain confidential and undisclosed."
Tevez, who has 25 caps and four goals for Argentina, issued a statement on his personal website earlier today saying that a move to West Ham for himself and his team-mate Mascherano had been sealed.
Corinthians sent a delegation of officials to London on Tuesday to meet with investment group Media Sports Investment, who own the players' rights, in a bid to negotiate the exit of Tevez, 22, after he signalled his desire to leave the Sao Paulo club following a falling-out with home fans.
London-based MSI, who featured in reports of a takeover at Upton Park last season when £30million was apparently on offer for the recruitment of new players, appear to have decided that Upton Park is the best possible destination for both Tevez and Mascherano - despite the interest of a string of rivals in the Premiership and Europe.
Elsewhere, Ashley Cole's move from Arsenal to Chelsea appeared to be edging closer to completion on transfer-deadline day when Robert Huth's move to Middlesbrough was delayed.
The paperwork for Huth's move from Stamford Bridge needed Peter Kenyon's signature, but the Chelsea chief executive was not available to sign, with his Boro counterpart Keith Lamb hinting at his whereabouts.
"They have told me the deal will be completed and they have told Robert it will as well," Lamb told a press conference to unveil new signing Jonathan Woodgate.
"It's a timing issue, Peter can't be in two places at once - I don't think it would take a genius to work out where he is at the moment. He is going to sign it on his return to Stamford Bridge."
Boro have also completed the signing of Jason Euell from Charlton, while Woodgate's deal was on a one-year loan with an option of a permanent deal.
Elsewhere, Steed Malbranque joined Tottenham from Fulham for an undisclosed fee, with Wayne Routledge moving to Craven Cottage on a one-year loan in the other direction.
Spurs also agreed a fee with Wigan to bring full-back Pascal Chimbonda to White Hart Lane.
Portsmouth completed the signing of former England striker Andy Cole from Manchester City. The 34-year-old passed a Fratton Park medical last night and completed his move this morning in a £500,000 deal which could eventually rise to £1million. Pompey also completed the signing of Croatia midfielder Niko Kranjcar on a four-year deal.
Youngster Chris Eagles left Manchester United for a season-long loan deal with Dutch side NEC Nijmegen, while Sheffield United completed the signing of Brighton's Colin Kazim-Richards for £150,000.
Kevin Kilbane moved from Everton to Barclays Premiership rivals Wigan for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £2million.
Blackburn got Roma's Shabani Nonda on loan for the season, Jan Kromkamp left Liverpool for PSV Eindhoven for an undisclosed sum, while Sporting Lisbon winger Roudolphe Douala Mbela signed a season-long loan deal with Portsmouth.
New Sunderland manager Roy Keane made former Manchester United team-mate Dwight Yorke his first signing - the striker joining from Sydney on a two-year deal worth £200,000. He followed up with the capture of 32-year-old Wigan midfielder Graham Kavanagh and expects to wrap up further deals before the transfer window closes at midnight.
Kavanagh left the Republic training squad along with Everton winger Kevin Kilbane and Blackburn midfielder Jonathan Douglas. Douglas has signed for Leeds.
Aston Villa's proposed swoop for midfielder James Milner - who spent last season on loan at Villa Park - was scuppered when the Magpies pulled the plug on a proposed deal.
