So another transfer window has passed us by and it was a rather dull affair in the end. The crazy over-exuberance of Jim White has gone from being entertaining to irritating, as the man becomes more and more of a parody of himself. The nouveau rich (or should that be oil rich?) clubs, Chelsea and Manchester City, have already done the whole ‘let’s try and buy everybody’ thing and even Harry Redknapp giving an interview out of his car window no longer seems funny.
Indeed, it was only Peter Odemwingie going a bit Alan Partridge that provided a reasonable amount of entertainment (I would just love to be a fly on the wall in the WBA dressing room when he returns). Even looking at the facts, a transfer window when Arsenal are one of the biggest spenders is never going to set the pulses racing.
As for Spurs’ business, well the first thing to say is that bringing in Lewis Holtby six months earlier than planned can only be a positive thing. He was joining the club anyway in the summer but his addition to the squad for the remainder of the season is a nice bonus.
On an individual level, he’ll add something that is currently missing. And for the squad as a whole, it should provide a mental boost to have a player of his quality arriving. It’ll certainly bring out more positive emotions than the arrivals of the geriatric Louis Saha and Ryan Nelson last year.
And that brings us onto what I have personally described as the “Leandro farce”. Yet again, another transfer window deadline sees Spurs ‘making an approach’ for the Brazilian star at the last minute, only for it to fail.
I’m a cynical so-and-so generally but surely even the most positive amongst us must not be convinced this was a genuine attempt. Here is how I see it; Spurs and Internacional have strong links and a good relationship and this farce (there is that word again) is nothing more than a PR move by both clubs.
By Spurs making a late bid, they believe they are showing us fans that they are genuinely interested in bringing in world class talent. Since this is well below his market value, Internacional reject it and display their willingness to keep their superstar to their fans. The offer is made so late in the transfer window that there is no time for negotiations and counter-offers, therefore it all comes to a sorry end and we move on.
It does leave a slightly bitter taste in my mouth, as I never thought there was a chance of that deal going through for a second, despite our obvious need for attacking reinforcements. Still, Holtby’s arrival is all rather exciting so let’s ignore the PR stunt and all get excitement about what impact he might have. Fourth place is there for the taking, I can smell it.
