Whether or not the ice-cold financial climate is having an effect everywhere other than Manchester City, the most notable feature of the first nine days of the January transfer window is how few deals have been completed.
A plausible theory often expressed by managers is the domino effect by which
one move triggers another, as a selling club suddenly need a replacement player and find money available.
If this month follows the pattern of previous windows, there will be an almighty rush right at the end; last January questions were asked about why Andrey Arshavin was allowed to join Arsenal almost 24 hours after the supposedly final day.
The Arshavin signing meant Arsenal, Tottenham and the two Manchester clubs were the only ones to spend more than £10 million ($22 million) a year ago. Spurs have no need to now, but the other three may do so again. Arsenal need a striker who will win headers, though they were rebuffed by Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh. United have to decide if they can afford to see out another four months without further back-up in defence. City will be a law unto themselves.
Slow off the mark last time, after wasting so long in vain pursuit of Kaka, they still managed to divest themselves of £50 million in three
- INDEPENDENT
