WINDOW SHOPPING
There are approximately 72 shopping hours left in this transfer window and, once again, it’s been a bit of a weird one so far. The bean-counting boffins over at Transfermarkt reckon that Premier League sides have splurged a collective £300m on players, on course for the second-biggest January spend in the last 10 years (behind only the chaos of 2023, when Chelsea splurged £270m on their own). It doesn’t really feel like that, does it? Even the list of the top flight’s biggest outlays this month quickly descends into a cluster of players we’ve only heard of from Football Manager, if at all. If anyone can tell us who Brian Madjo, Rayan and Kaye Furo signed for without consulting Big Transfer Guide, you’ll win our much-coveted respect.
A few memorable big-money deals aside, January is usually more of a bargain-bin scramble than a luxury shopping spree. The adage these days is that clubs only spend big in the winter if they’re in big trouble. While Manchester City and Aston Villa have bucked that trend, it’s worth noting that Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle are all yet to open their chequebooks/PayPal accounts at all this month.
As football’s own Black Monday approaches, it seems likely that the Premier League’s more desperate members will take the headlines. West Ham have gone old school, signing two mysterious South Americans who have quickly revived their fortunes; above them, Forest, Leeds and Palace have shopping carts stacked but are struggling to get through the checkout. Palace began January by unveiling Brennan Johnson, in pictures that now summon a similar feeling to sepia shots of a gleaming Titanic moored in Southampton. The club looked set to sign Wolves’ wantaway striker Jørgen Strand Larsen (Premier League goals this season: one) for £50m, only for the deal to stall when – and we’re speculating here – Oliver Glasner found out about it and hit the roof again.
For clubs seeking that elusive bargain, and players locked in WhatsApp chats with their agents, it could be a long weekend. Raheem Sterling has taken matters into his own hands by ending his Chelsea contract, while Harvey Elliott cannot join another European club this season – so the reduced aisle is down to Axel Disasi and a shop-soiled Kalvin Phillips. But let’s not give up hope of any more eye-catching moves just yet; after all, Charlton have just plucked Conor Coady from out of nowhere (or, as it turns out, Wrexham). Hibs striker Kieron Bowie is off to Serie A with Verona while Timo Werner, 29, has cashed in his chips and joined Bruce Arena’s San Jose Earthquakes. And let’s not forget Jack Harrison to Fiorentina, Andy Irving to Sparta Prague, Paddy McNair (still only 30) to Hull City, and Ryan Fraser to Western Sydney Wanderers. It may be an unedifying spectacle, but Panic Monday will always offer a few twists and surprises, fresh grist for the content mill. Just don’t expect your team to sign anyone that good, and you might enjoy it.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“We confirm that the club has been served with court papers by its technical kit supplier, Macron S.p.A., in relation to a contractual dispute. The claim is being handled by the club with the support of its legal team, and it would be inappropriate to comment further while legal proceedings are ongoing” – Blackburn Rovers reveal their own kit supplier is taking legal action against them.
RECOMMENDED PLAYING
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FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS
Stranraer short on headlines (yesterday’s Football Daily, full email edition)? Have a listen to the Proclaimers’ Cap in Hand and the classic couplet: ‘I can understand why Stranraer lie so lowly/ They could save a lot of points by signing Hibs’ goalie.’ How about the terrible twins re-record a new version to raise money and alter that second line to: ‘They’ve just lost a load of cash by signing Hearts goalie.’ They wouldn’t even have to change the song title” – Morgan Armstrong.
I resent the suggestion that Michael Hann (and others) think I was unaware Barry Bannan had played in the Premier League (yesterday’s Football Daily letters). I knew that perfectly well. My letter specifically said a ‘last shot’, which at 36 seems a reasonable expectation for him. The reference to Promised Land is that, for the Owls, he was a Moses-like figure, roaming the outer leagues, performing minor miracles and coming close but never taking us back up. To those who eventually let him come to the Owls for free, Wednesday fans extend our thanks” – Chris Goater.
If you have any, please send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day winner is … Morgan Armstrong. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, are here.
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