Transfer season in the football world is normally fairly chaotic and always left to the last minute as the deadline looms. I am sure that the system could be simplified a lot more but the parties involved just make it more complicated.
The whole process is a game of cat and mouse trying to obtain the best deal possible for both sides. It is as though they have to do a dance first milking the publicity through the press showing the fans that they are doing something for the club. The more hype and drama the better as it boosts not only the ego of the new player as he feels wanted making him feel important.
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This was from one year ago and expect it to be a lot worse reading for United as they have 10 points less than last season at this point. Liverpool on the other hand are sitting pretty compared to what others had spent against the points they have already.
The closer the deal is to the deadline the better as it shows that both the clubs involved fought for the best deal possible. I never pay much attention and normally tune in for the last hour to see if there are any last minute shocks happening that the leaked press were unaware of.
I do find it amazing that these rumors become reality as when most business deals happen you want to keep it quiet for as long as possible in order to make the deal happen. The players or the selling club has to be at fault trying to create hype and possibly increase the selling price. I would be pissed if a deal I was doing got leaked as it puts the whole thing in jeopardy and something that could have been a bargain becomes something entirely different.
Yesterday was a prime example of this with Manchester United and Sporting Lisbon supposedly locked in a deal they were way off with. Bruno Fernandes was bought for a fee of around £68 million which was about £10 million more than what United wanted to pay. All of a sudden there was a report that Barcelona was trying to steal the deal from under their feet and within an hour United agreed the deal. I have no idea who Fernandes agent is ,but someone must have done him a favor to leak the story or rumor.
United are desperate to show a new face to the fans keeping them on their side for now. Can one player make a huge difference to a very weak side and the answer is no , but it buys the board room of the club a little more time. Very few of the big stars are purchased over the winter period as it is mid season and clubs are reluctant to let the best players go. This is understandable as finding a replacement is not as easy. Sporting obviously see the deal as beneficial financially and have someone who can cover for him. They are currently third in their league and have no chance of winning the title this year so taking the money is not a bad idea.
Sporting area business and a company represented on the stock market so a good deal has benefits for everyone involved. Share prices were suspended this morning until the deal has been finalised which makes sense if you are trying to keep the price stable and not great for the trader.
Every year this madness happens twice per season and nothing seems to change as clubs spend astronomical amounts for players who in my opinion don't warrant those price tags. If a player is that good and is worth £68 million then I would expect a goal every time he touched the ball. I don't expect much from him as United have not made a decent signing in the last 5 years and most likely have paid top dollar for a player worth half the money.
Personally I believe it is best for United to stumble over the line this season and write it off and start purchasing in the summer. They are not going to achieve anything this year and who knows if the manager will still be there. I seriously have my doubts as I don't think he is what they need to rebuild and they need serious experience.
