After two months, the transfer window has today slammed shut. What a transfer window, eh?

Obviously the big spenders in the Premier League were Manchester City, spending over £115 million. Mark Hughes was certainly given to freedom to spend money left, right and centre, building almost a fantasy football team in the process.

It seems the majority of football news in Europe has surrounded Real Madrid this summer. The Spanish giants have spent nearly a quarter of a billion pounds on the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Kaka. Many football betting experts believe Real may be the team to beat in the Champions League this season and personally, I agree with them.

Elsewhere in the transfer window, Tottenham completed a transfer deadline day deal, bringing Portsmouth midfieder Niko Kranjcar to Fratton Park. Kranjcar became the second Portsmouth player to join Harry Redknapp at Spurs, following the arrival of Peter Crouch earlier this summer.

Fiorentina striker Alberto Gilardino will miss his club’s next two games in the Champions League, owing to a ban imposed by UEFA. The Italy striker was sent off for elbowing Jeremy Toulalan of Lyon during their matchup in France.

Losing ‘Gila’ comes at a critical time for la Viola, since the next match is against Liverpool in Florence. The absence of the attacker will leave coach Cesare Prandelli with no option but to line up emerging talent Stevan Jovetic and Romanian forward Adrian Mutu upfront.

The Gigliati have struggled to score goals this season and will clearly miss the services of the 27-year-old hitman, since Mutu has been dealing with off-field distractions stemming from his legal problems with former club Chelsea.

According to the club’s official website, UEFA’s Disciplinary Commission decided to suspend Gilardino for the next two Champions League games, meaning he will make his return on the European stage during early November, in a home game scheduled against Hungarian club Debrecen.

Rami Soufi, Football Italiano

Roma captain Francesco Totti was disappointed after the club’s supporters threw back his shirt following the 3-1 victory over Fiorentina. The Giallorossi talisman said that he was not sure if he will throw his shirt to the fans again in the future.

Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, the former Italy forward made clear his feelings were hurt by the incident. He said that initially he did not notice the incident and he was told about it over the phone.

‘Er Pupone’ has been in contract discussions with the club to extend his term for five more years, and his popularity with the fans has taken a hit in recent times. Yet the tifosi have confirmed that their action was a response to the dismal start to the season for i Lupi.

Totti scored the equaliser in the away match against Palermo from the penalty spot, and it remains to be seen if this will ease the frustration of the supporters.

Rami Soufi, Football Italiano