LONDON (AP):

English champion Manchester City was the main mover among Europe's major teams on deadline day, spending a reported £40 million ($63 million) as the continent's summer transfer window closed with a flurry of late sales yesterday.

UEFA's strict financial fair play rules, which are forcing clubs to only spend what they earn, and the tough economic climate have reined in spending compared to recent years.

Yet City, which had been quiet in the transfer market this summer by its standards, acted late to sign Brazil right back Maicon from Inter Milan, highly rated winger Scott Sinclair from Swansea and Serbia defender Matija Nastasic from Fiorentina.

Arguably their biggest deal was secured minutes before the transfer window shut, however, when Spain midfielder Javi Garcia joined from Benfica. All the signings were for undisclosed fees but British media valued City's spending spree at around £38 million ($60 million).

In return, manager Roberto Mancini sold Netherlands holding midfielder Nigel de Jong to AC Milan and moved striker Roque Santa Cruz to Spanish team Malaga on a season-long loan.

After a quiet day in England, the final few hours drew a burst of activity with Tottenham signing United States forward Clint Dempsey from Fulham and France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris from Lyon for €10 million ($12.6 million), having earlier sold Rafael van der Vaart to his former German club, Hamburg.

Chelsea loaned Ghana midfielder Michael Essien to Real Madrid and Yossi Benayoun to West Ham on season-long deals, Manchester United sold Dimitar Berbatov to Fulham for a reported £4 million ($6.35 million) while Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton joined French league leader Marseille in a one-year loan deal that had been widely expected for several days.