Issue 151

January Sales

29th January 2007

As the battle for promotion continues another fight is coming to an end for the players and managers alike. The transfer window has once again opened.

This allows the big Premiership teams to the tiniest Conference side the opportunity to sign new players and extend their squad for the next year. With the window closing at midnight on 31 January the battle to sign the best players for your squad is heating up. The most publicised signing of this transfer window is David Beckham's decision to move from Real Madrid to LA Galaxy. Beckham's move is said to be motivated by the need to raise the profile of football in the US. Not the fact that he has been brought in a deal said to be worth £128 million which will make Beckham the highest paid sportsman in the world.

While back in the UK the battles continue on from December. Some of the biggest names and teams are scrambling to get the best deals in the "January Sales". Someone who isn't is Arsene Wenger who has stressed that he is not buying anyone this January despite the team's desperate need for an experienced goalie. Most teams around this time have to be strict with who they can buy and how much they can spend. This is not the case for Chelsea, who are slowly seeing the title slip away as Manchester United stream ahead. Therefore this might be the time that Jose Mourinho feels the need to spend some of the endless supply of cash. Chelsea have been linked to some big names this January. With the likes of Miguel, Fernando Torres and Alexander Pato all rumoured to have been eyeing up a move to Chelsea. Most teams like to keep their finances close to their chests at time like this and leave it to the last possible minute before the announcements are made and contracts are signed. This transfer window could be the differences of promotion for some teams and relegation for others so managers have to choose and spend wisely!

Here we have a look at three of the biggest moves in the January window.

David Beckham

From: Real Madrid to LA Galaxy
How Much: £128 million over five years works out at a staggering £70,000 a day or 80p a second. He is now the highest paid sportsman in the world.

Lucas Neill

From: Blackburn Rovers to West Ham
How Much: Officially undisclosed, thought to be about £1.5 million - about £60,000 a week. Twice what the closest rivals for his signature, Liverpool, were going to offer.

Ashley Young

From: After interest from seven Premiership clubs the Watford star chose Aston Villa
How Much: £8 million. However clauses in his contract could mean that the total could rise to nearer the £9.5 million mark.

Cali Smith