Pfa: Clubs Not Drawn into Transfer Frenzy

By Ian Parkes, PA Sport

The Professional Footballers’ Association believe the January transfer window underlined “the pinch” currently being felt by many Premiership clubs.

A total of more than £60million was spent throughout the course of the month, excluding undisclosed deals, with just five transfers comprising more than half that figure of the 86 overall.

Jean-Alain Boumsong was the most expensive capture, joining Newcastle from Rangers for £8million, with Tottenham spending the same amount on Nottingham Forest duo Andy Reid and Michael Dawson.

Following that, Liverpool paid £6.3million to Real Madrid for Fernando Morientes, with Merseyside rivals Everton splashing out £6million on James Beattie, while Manchester City picked up £7million from Fenerbahce for Nicolas Anelka.

Yet almost half of all transfers were loans, which to PFA deputy chief executive Mick McGuire maintains an upward trend as clubs are opting for such a move rather than going for the big-money deals.

“I don’t think there’s been a lot of movement. It’s been steady throughout the month,” commented McGuire.

“Around 40 of those were loans, with only 18 for money, although there were a number of undisclosed deals which are likely to be for nominal sums.

“There were only 15 moves on the last day, which is not a great number. If you look at it, there were one or two deals on each day and then a big crash at the end.

“I remember come the final day of a transfer window they used to pour in. I think the Premier League is feeling the pinch and going for short-term fixes to help them out.

“We are seeing more and more loans, with players going from Premier League clubs to Football League clubs, which is quite often to give younger players opportunities.

“It is probably what you would expect at a time when there’s readjustments at Premier League clubs who are feeling the pinch so they can be flexible and remain committed financially.”