Post by QPR Report on Dec 26, 2008 7:54:21 GMT
Something I hadn't even considered.
Square Football - Plunging Pound Could See Transfer Focus Switch To Football League
With the opening of the January transfer window looming large, speculation is rife as to which big name stars from Europe’s major leagues will be winging their way to the Premiership over the next few weeks. However, with sterling’s collapse against the Euro meaning that transfer fees for players based on the continent will have undergone a sharp rise since the summer, it could be a case that some of the less affluent Premiership clubs will be looking closer to home for new recruits next month.
Given how congested the Premiership table is, it might be difficult for those clubs in and around the bottom three to prise players away from those currently leading the way in the Championship, with those at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Reading and Birmingham City perhaps being more inclined to take a chance on securing top-flight football with their current clubs, rather than risk relegation should they secure a move in January.
There are obvious targets at the “Big Three”, with Wayne Hennessey, Michael Kightly and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (Wolves), Kevin Doyle, Stephen Hunt, James Harper, Andre Bikey, Marcus Hahnemann and Leroy Lita (Reading) and James McFadden and Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham) having all been linked with moves to the Premiership in recent months. Under the circumstances it would probably need a substantial bid from an established Premiership outfit to land any of the aforementioned players (the out on loan and out-of-favour Lita aside perhaps).
Outside of the Championship front-runners Burnley head the chasing pack, so it’s no surprise that Chris Eagles is already apparently attracting Premiership interest despite only having moved to Turf Moor in the summer. He has expressed a desire to stay with the Clarets, but club and player might be swayed by any serious offers that come in.
It would seem that Cardiff City could be prepared to let Joe Ledley move on now, rather than see him run down the final 18-months of his contract as his agent has indicated. There certainly appears to be plenty of interest in the Welsh winger. Roger Johnson has also been the subject of previous speculation and could again be on the radar for any club in need of defensive reinforcements.
Sheffield United right-back Kyle Naughton has been earning rave reviews this term and has already been touted as a potential £6 million target, although that figure has no doubt been inflated somewhat by Manchester City’s reported interest. David Carney is a regular for the Australian national team, but rarely figures for the Blades. Anyone looking for an international player with a decent left peg could do far worse.
With his contract up in the summer, Crystal Palace midfielder Ben Watson seems a near certainty to move in the transfer window. Nouveau riche Queens Park Rangers are said to be keen, but there is also reported interest from at least a couple of top-flight clubs. Victor Moses only penned a new four-year deal over the summer, but the 18-year-old attacking midfielder is another who could come on the Premiership radar. Sheffield Wednesday seem to be in almost perpetual talks regarding a takeover, but the uncertainty off the pitch and their existing debts mean that any offers for the likes of young centre-back Mark Beevers will have to be considered.
Ipswich Town have yet to make the impact that many had thought they would this term, so Ireland international midfielder Owen Garvan could be tempted were a top-flight club to make a move. His chances may have diminished following countryman Roy Keane’s departure from the Stadium of Light, but he has enough quality to suggest that there could be other interested parties. Although Bristol City has not been able to match last season’s efforts, there could still be still interest in their players. Defender Bradley Orr is already on the transfer list after refusing to sign a new deal, while midfielder Marvin Elliott is another not short of admirers. Both would be relatively inexpensive options for any Premiership club looking to bolster their squad. Derby County are another club that has, so far, failed to live up to expectations. Young midfielder Miles Addison has established himself with the Rams this term though and could be seen as one for the future. Doncaster Rovers might currently be propping up the Championship table, but that hasn’t thwarted apparent interest in Welsh midfielder Brian Stock.
There are always a few bargains to be had in the January sales and with the likes of Southampton, Charlton Athletic and Watford being particularly strapped for cash, the vultures are likely to be circling. The obvious targets at Southampton are Andrew Surman and Adam Lallana, both of whom have already been linked with Fulham among others. Charlton, deep in the mire both in terms of their financial and league positions, could find it difficult to retain the services of highly-rated 16-year-old Jonjo Shelvey while, fitness permitting, it would be no great surprise to see China national team captain Zheng Zhi move on. Watford has already served notice that their predicament means that players are likely to be leaving next month. Potential targets at knock-down prices could be Jay DeMerit, John-Joe O’Toole and, particularly, Tommy Smith.
Further down the leagues there are obviously fewer players that the big boys in the Premiership would feel are capable of making the step up in class, but some could feature on the radar. Leicester City striker Matty Fryatt has been in prolific form this term and might just have what it takes to produce the goods at the highest level. Elsewhere Millwall central defender Zak Whitbread was supposedly interesting Blackburn Rovers, although that was prior to Paul Ince’s recent departure. Oldham Athletic winger Chris Taylor has impressed many over the past couple of seasons and is another who could now be ready for a move up to a higher level.
Leeds United might be struggling to live up to expectations this term, but there have already been rumours of interest in Jermaine Beckford, Luciano Becchio and, most worryingly from the viewpoint of the Leeds faithful, Fabian Delph. Beckford is, like Leicester’s Fryatt, someone that a top-flight club desperate for goals might feel is worthy of a punt. Delph will surely get to the Premiership one way or another in the not too distant future. If Leeds fail to secure promotion this season there will be no shortage of interested parties in the summer, so both club and player will probably adopt a wait and see approach unless a really substantial bid is forthcoming.
Rickie Lambert has been banging in the goals for Bristol Rovers and, despite recently signing a contract extension, could be seen as a cheap solution to anyone willing to take a gamble on his replicating his League One exploits at a higher level.
Buying players on the domestic market from the lower divisions is obviously a gamble, but the weakness of the pound and the effects of the credit crunch generally now mean that there just might be some value for money to be had in shopping closer to home in the January sales next month.
articles.squarefootball.net/squarefootball/2008/12/plunging-pound.html
Square Football - Plunging Pound Could See Transfer Focus Switch To Football League
With the opening of the January transfer window looming large, speculation is rife as to which big name stars from Europe’s major leagues will be winging their way to the Premiership over the next few weeks. However, with sterling’s collapse against the Euro meaning that transfer fees for players based on the continent will have undergone a sharp rise since the summer, it could be a case that some of the less affluent Premiership clubs will be looking closer to home for new recruits next month.
Given how congested the Premiership table is, it might be difficult for those clubs in and around the bottom three to prise players away from those currently leading the way in the Championship, with those at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Reading and Birmingham City perhaps being more inclined to take a chance on securing top-flight football with their current clubs, rather than risk relegation should they secure a move in January.
There are obvious targets at the “Big Three”, with Wayne Hennessey, Michael Kightly and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (Wolves), Kevin Doyle, Stephen Hunt, James Harper, Andre Bikey, Marcus Hahnemann and Leroy Lita (Reading) and James McFadden and Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham) having all been linked with moves to the Premiership in recent months. Under the circumstances it would probably need a substantial bid from an established Premiership outfit to land any of the aforementioned players (the out on loan and out-of-favour Lita aside perhaps).
Outside of the Championship front-runners Burnley head the chasing pack, so it’s no surprise that Chris Eagles is already apparently attracting Premiership interest despite only having moved to Turf Moor in the summer. He has expressed a desire to stay with the Clarets, but club and player might be swayed by any serious offers that come in.
It would seem that Cardiff City could be prepared to let Joe Ledley move on now, rather than see him run down the final 18-months of his contract as his agent has indicated. There certainly appears to be plenty of interest in the Welsh winger. Roger Johnson has also been the subject of previous speculation and could again be on the radar for any club in need of defensive reinforcements.
Sheffield United right-back Kyle Naughton has been earning rave reviews this term and has already been touted as a potential £6 million target, although that figure has no doubt been inflated somewhat by Manchester City’s reported interest. David Carney is a regular for the Australian national team, but rarely figures for the Blades. Anyone looking for an international player with a decent left peg could do far worse.
With his contract up in the summer, Crystal Palace midfielder Ben Watson seems a near certainty to move in the transfer window. Nouveau riche Queens Park Rangers are said to be keen, but there is also reported interest from at least a couple of top-flight clubs. Victor Moses only penned a new four-year deal over the summer, but the 18-year-old attacking midfielder is another who could come on the Premiership radar. Sheffield Wednesday seem to be in almost perpetual talks regarding a takeover, but the uncertainty off the pitch and their existing debts mean that any offers for the likes of young centre-back Mark Beevers will have to be considered.
Ipswich Town have yet to make the impact that many had thought they would this term, so Ireland international midfielder Owen Garvan could be tempted were a top-flight club to make a move. His chances may have diminished following countryman Roy Keane’s departure from the Stadium of Light, but he has enough quality to suggest that there could be other interested parties. Although Bristol City has not been able to match last season’s efforts, there could still be still interest in their players. Defender Bradley Orr is already on the transfer list after refusing to sign a new deal, while midfielder Marvin Elliott is another not short of admirers. Both would be relatively inexpensive options for any Premiership club looking to bolster their squad. Derby County are another club that has, so far, failed to live up to expectations. Young midfielder Miles Addison has established himself with the Rams this term though and could be seen as one for the future. Doncaster Rovers might currently be propping up the Championship table, but that hasn’t thwarted apparent interest in Welsh midfielder Brian Stock.
There are always a few bargains to be had in the January sales and with the likes of Southampton, Charlton Athletic and Watford being particularly strapped for cash, the vultures are likely to be circling. The obvious targets at Southampton are Andrew Surman and Adam Lallana, both of whom have already been linked with Fulham among others. Charlton, deep in the mire both in terms of their financial and league positions, could find it difficult to retain the services of highly-rated 16-year-old Jonjo Shelvey while, fitness permitting, it would be no great surprise to see China national team captain Zheng Zhi move on. Watford has already served notice that their predicament means that players are likely to be leaving next month. Potential targets at knock-down prices could be Jay DeMerit, John-Joe O’Toole and, particularly, Tommy Smith.
Further down the leagues there are obviously fewer players that the big boys in the Premiership would feel are capable of making the step up in class, but some could feature on the radar. Leicester City striker Matty Fryatt has been in prolific form this term and might just have what it takes to produce the goods at the highest level. Elsewhere Millwall central defender Zak Whitbread was supposedly interesting Blackburn Rovers, although that was prior to Paul Ince’s recent departure. Oldham Athletic winger Chris Taylor has impressed many over the past couple of seasons and is another who could now be ready for a move up to a higher level.
Leeds United might be struggling to live up to expectations this term, but there have already been rumours of interest in Jermaine Beckford, Luciano Becchio and, most worryingly from the viewpoint of the Leeds faithful, Fabian Delph. Beckford is, like Leicester’s Fryatt, someone that a top-flight club desperate for goals might feel is worthy of a punt. Delph will surely get to the Premiership one way or another in the not too distant future. If Leeds fail to secure promotion this season there will be no shortage of interested parties in the summer, so both club and player will probably adopt a wait and see approach unless a really substantial bid is forthcoming.
Rickie Lambert has been banging in the goals for Bristol Rovers and, despite recently signing a contract extension, could be seen as a cheap solution to anyone willing to take a gamble on his replicating his League One exploits at a higher level.
Buying players on the domestic market from the lower divisions is obviously a gamble, but the weakness of the pound and the effects of the credit crunch generally now mean that there just might be some value for money to be had in shopping closer to home in the January sales next month.
articles.squarefootball.net/squarefootball/2008/12/plunging-pound.html