Sevilla take City cast-off Nasri, Valencia toughens defence

BARCELONA: With Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid all remaining quiet on the final day of the transfer window, Sevilla picked up Manchester City cast-off Samir Nasri while Valencia bolstered its defence on Wednesday.

Nasri, who new Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola called "overweight" during the preseason, moved to Sevilla on a loan deal.

He should give the Europa League winners some much needed playmaking under new manager Jorge Sampaoli following the exit of Ever Banega.

Sevilla meanwhile loaned Ukraine winger Yevhen Konoplyanka to Schalke.

On a relatively quiet closing day of the summer market in Spain, the biggest mover by far was Espanyol.

Espanyol

Espanyol made several moves to complete the overhaul of its squad under new Chinese owner Chen Yansheng.

After conceding eight goals in its first two matches of the season, Espanyol signed three players on deadline-day deals and shipped out four more.

Espanyol's final move of the night, completed right before the bell, was to secure the return of striker Alvaro Vazquez to his boyhood club from Getafe.

Likely to start immediately at center back, 23-year-old Mexico international Diego Rivas arrived on loan from FC Porto.

Rivas will fill the spot left vacant after Espanyol transferred Alvaro Gonzalez to Villarreal and rescinded Michael Ciani's contract.

The team coached by Quique Sanchez Flores also made a change between the posts. Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez arrived on loan from AC Milan, hours after Pau Lopez left to join Tottenham. Diego Lopez will probably be a reserve for first-choice keeper Roberto Jimenez.

The Barcelona-based club also said that midfielder Alex Fernandez was leaving the club.

Granda

Spanish forward Alberto Bueno rejoined his former coach at Granada on a loan from FC Porto.

Bueno played his best seasons under the orders of Paco Jemez, who took over Granada this season.

Granada also brought in winger Mehi Carcela-Gonzalez from Benfica, and defender Franck Tabanou on loan from Swansea.

Valencia

Valencia bought Argentina defender Ezequiel Garay from FC Zenit and took another Manchester City player, Eliaquim Mangala on loan.

The pair of experienced center backs will help fill the void left by Shkodran Mustafi after his move to Arsenal.