For the sake of soccer's integrity, reform the transfer window
Enact a pan-European deadline of August 1 to stop horse-trading once league season starts, as loyalty and stability are important
The summer transfer window slammed shut yesterday amid the usual last-minute scramble between tight-lipped players, their well-fed agents and brooding managers.
The horse-trading to buy that much-needed forward, playmaker and defender, to offload the lame and the aged, or embark on a fire sale of talent to keep the wolves from the door, has, as tradition dictates, been fuelled by gossip and speculation - much of which often proves to be true.
Since the transfer window opened on July 1, the summer spending spree has been on par with last year - with the 20 Premier League clubs splashing out about £350 million (HK$4.3 billion).
Come Monday, the total spend is expected to match last year's figure of more than £450 million, according to Deloitte's Sports Business Group.
Since its introduction 10 years ago, more than £4.4 billion has been invested in players by club owners, with Chelsea leading the pack at £681 million. Champions Manchester City have forked out £572 million - most of it in the past two years - and Liverpool have spent £414 million. Manchester United occupy fourth place in the high-rollers league, with £352 million spent since 2002. Tottenham have outlaid ?350 million and Arsenal £214 million.
The transfer window puts the fear of every known god into supporters as they stand hapless outside the gilded glass, looking on in awe and fear at the buy-and-sell bloodbath. Who would have wanted to be an Arsenal fan this week? England international Theo Walcott let it be known he had rejected a new contract, sparking interest from Liverpool and Manchester City and causing a wave of speculation.
Countless nods and winks between Walcott and his representatives saw the starlet winger reject a five-year offer worth around £75,000 a week. Those Gooners who have sung out Walcott's name will have egg slung in their face if the player starts running at their defenders in a rival team's colours in a couple of weeks, but such is the nature of the EPL beast and the bizarre Fifa transfer market rules.