As the transfer window prepares to slam shut until 2013, managers all over Europe are putting the finishing touches to their squads for this season. While there is still plenty of business to be done, a lot of the so-called inevitable transfers have already taken place.
Robin van Persie to Man United, Eden Hazard to Chelsea, Emmanuel Adebayor to Spurs, Joe Allen to Liverpool, Luka Modrić to Real Madrid. None of these stunned any of us as they all came a month or so after the story originally broke. But if there’s one thing that the sports writers crave this time of year it’s a long drawn out transfer saga and even though time is running out there are still a few long standing issues waiting to be resolved.
Here’s what we can expect Sky Sports News’ Jim White to be shouting about come transfer deadline day...
Joey Barton to Marseille
With a 12 game ban still hanging over him, Joey Barton’s worth to QPR is at an all-time low. After seemingly coming close to a loan move to Fleetwood Town, Marseille seems Barton’s most likely destination. Predictably he has taken to his infamous Twitter account to make it clear that he favours a move to Ligue 1. Only time will tell if a loan or permanent move can come to fruition.
Scott Sinclair to Man City
At one point this move seemed like a done deal. Scott Sinclair has already confirmed that he won’t be signing a new contract at Swansea City so a move this summer is still likely. But Swansea raised a few eyebrows by rebuffing a £6.2million offer from Man City. The deal seemed dead, but surprise surprise City came back in with an improved offer. One which was too good for the Swans to turn down?
Andy Carroll
Ever since Liverpool’s appointment of Brendan Rodgers it’s seemed that Carroll’s face just doesn’t fit in with the Rodgers brand of passing football. Liverpool will want to recoup much of the £35million they paid for the striker which will put off many suitors. Newcastle United ruled themselves out of the running, and with Carroll destined for a year on the fringes of the Liverpool team, West Ham have seemingly got a loan deal at the last minute.
Michael Owen
The Premier League’s forgotten man, Owen has been quoted recently as saying that he would like to remain in the Premier League even though his contract with Man United expired this summer. At only 32 years of age one would think that Owen can still provide goals at the top level if fit. Stoke seem the likeliest destination at the moment.
Dimitar Berbatov
Berbatov seemed all set to sign for Fiorentina earlier this week but it has now been reported that this move (as well as a potential move Juventus) has fallen through. Fulham are the latest club to be linked with the talented striker.
Clint Dempsey
Clint Dempsey seems to have burned his bridges and it is hard to imagine anyway back for him at current club Fulham. His desire to move has apparently not left him on speaking terms with manager Martin Jol and with time running out Dempsey will be hoping to move away from the ‘limbo’ he currently finds himself in with Fulham.
Theo Walcott
The press are now reporting that Theo has come to a ‘short term agreement’ with Arsenal to ensure he stays through this transfer window but the fact remains that he only has a year remaining on his contract and a big money offer would be hard to resist. Better than losing him for free next summer? Man City and Liverpool are reported to have an interest.
Michael Dawson to QPR
It’s been widely reported that Dawson failed to agree personal terms with QPR after Spurs accepted a £9million offer. QPR’s defence is still in need of strengthening and the experienced England defender could be just what the doctor ordered. QPR could well rekindle their interest in Dawson before Friday’s deadline. Former Chelsea and current Real Madrid centre back Ricardo Carvalho has also been linked with a move to Loftus Road.
Nicklas Bendtner
After an impressive Euro 2012 for Denmark and a decent spell on loan at Sunderland last season there should be no shortage of interest in the big front-man. But the outspoken Bendtner remains at Arsenal for the time being, where he appears to be surplus to requirements. A move to Serie A with AC Milan has been reported fairly frequently over the summer but so far this hasn’t materialised. Bendtner will be keen to not watch the season from the stands at the Emirates and you can expect to see him moving towards the exit come Friday.
And the rest...
Come Friday night, 11pm to be exact, all of these stories will be over, at least until the transfer window opens back up on January the 1st next year. But as happy as many will be to see the end to these ‘never-ending stories’, this isn’t why we are glued to our TV’s, Smart Phones and Computers on transfer deadline day. It’s the transfers we didn’t expect that make it.
There’s still question marks over the future of a number of established Premier League players. Charlie Adam, Daniel Sturridge, Tom Huddlestone, Kenwyne Jones and Kieran Richardson are just a few of those who could be moving on to pastures new.
But any moves from players who haven’t been mentioned in this article are the one’s which will really epitomise what transfer deadline day is all about.