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The Tuesday Troll : The Final Week of the Transfer Window
Published by Ian John on January 26, 2010
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Today is the final tuesday of the January transfer window and it is now that all the bluff and bluster of the past few months will crystallize into deals which could have a major impact on how a club performs over the second half of the season, or will evaporate into dreams of sheer folly into the ether of unfounded speculation.
One deal that does seem set to be concluded is Portsmouth keeper David James’s on/off transfer to Stoke City. The 39 year old was expected to conclude a deal to join the Potters last week, but the deal fell through. However it seems Stoke boss Tony Pulis has finally agreed terms with the player and Portsmouth over a deal. James signing also could signify the departure of Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen, who has been linked with a £3.5m move to Bayern Munich in the British press over the weekend.
Robinho could also be set to leave British shores after reports he is close to agreeing a long term loan deal with his former club Santos in Brazil. The deal seems to hinge on Manchester City having first refusal on two of Santos’ young stars, Neymar and Paulo Henrique. The Brazilian is expected to join on an 18 month loan deal and is purportedly taking an £80,000 a week pay cut. The poor lamb.
With new owners at the club, West Ham are being linked with bringing in at least one, if not two, new strikers in the next week or so. Reports suggest former Tottenham and Middlesbrough star Mido could be one of the Hammers targets.
Wigan are being linked with a deal for Villarreal’s Argentinean star Marco Ruben. Manager Roberto Martinez is believed to have a deal for the striker tied up within the next couple of days.
Conspicuous by their absence on the rumour boards however are the top clubs. Despite rumours of Arsenal wanting a striker, Chelsea ready to splash the cash and Manchester United looking at every goalkeeper this side of the rings of Saturn, there has been little news of note surrounding them and it could well be that the bigger clubs are keeping their powder dry to make their move in the end of season window, traditionally a time when the better players are more likely to consider a move.
Tottenham are reportedly set to loan Giovanni Dos Santos to Galatasaray for the remainder of the season. The former Barcelona man spent a portion of last season on loan at Ipswich Town and seems to be struggling to make an impact at White Hart Lane.
Liverpool’s pursuit of Kenwyne Jones has angered Steve Bruce. Mind you, anything to do with Liverpool angers Steve Bruce. You can bet your bottom dollar if Sir Alex Ferguson was making a similar move for Jones, you would not have heard a peep from the Sunderland manager. Apparently Liverpool MD Christian Purslow and Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn are trying to thrash out a deal for the striker as Liverpool are still desperately short of striking cover at the moment.
The same can be said at Everton who are interested in a loan deal for AC Milan striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar, if he is available, according to manager David Moyes.
Other than that, the last week has been pretty quiet so far. It certainly does seem, despite all the hype beforehand, that the bigger clubs are keeping their wallets firmly in their pockets for the time being at least.
But it does look like being one hell of an intriguing summer of transfer activity!
Image Courtesy of ***galeria_futbolera*** at Flickr.com
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