The January transfer window is almost upon us and the newspapers are busy filling their column inches with made up transfer stories speculating on potential comings and goings.
In the last day or so, it has been reported that a number of Tottenham players will be transferred. Some of these rumours make more sense than others. Here’s my take on them.
Pavlyuchenko To Arsenal
This one is the most interesting. On one hand it does kind of make sense. We’re looking to offload Pavlyuchenko, Arsenal are in the market for a striker and he plays alongside Arshavin for Russia.
On the other hand, a transfer between Tottenham and Arsenal? I’m sure that would go very smoothly. We’ll want absolute top dollar to sell to them, due to the potential for embarrassment if Pav proved to be any good there. Meanwhile, they don’t like spending much money.
Another issue is why would we want to strengthen the squad of a team who are liable to be struggling until they bring in another striker? Especially when we hate them and aren’t far behind them in the league.
Verdict: No Deal
Hutton To Sunderland
It’s pretty common knowledge that there was a deal on the table during the last transfer window, for Hutton to go to Sunderland, with Anton Ferdinand joining us in return.
With King and Woodgate struggling with injuries and Bassong and Assou-Ekotto off to the African Nations in January, it seems likely that this deal may be resurrected. We’ve got Naughton as back up for Corluka and we all know how Harry likes to buy one of his former players.
Most people don’t think that Ferdinand Jr is very good and whilst I share this opinion, I’d still rather we negotiated this simple swap deal than buying Matthew Upson of all people, to solve our injury crisis in the centre of defence.
Verdict: Deal
Keane To Celtic
This is classic 2 + 2 must equal 5, from our lazy journo friends. Keane sits on the bench for three whole league matches + his other boyhood team are Celtic (Keane had at least two boyhoods) = transfer to Celtic.
The only problem is that everyone knows that Celtic have no money. ‘Easy’ says the journalist, it’ll be a loan deal. Sorted.
Why would we want to get rid of a striker on loan midway through the season? Especially when it is actually quite likely that Pav will leave during January. Keane has been pretty disappointing this season, but no so bad that we’d want to just give him away.
Verdict: No Deal
