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Transfer window: last 10 days

By Thomas Bradley Alderman

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: A young Arsenal fan holds up a message thanking Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on December 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: A young Arsenal fan holds up a message thanking Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on December 28, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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We are now past the busiest time of the season, yet the Premier League transfers have ten long days to go. That includes the infamous deadline day drama on January 31 until 11pm UK time.

Inflated market

At the time of writing, Premier League clubs have completed a total of 86 deals in the January window for the amount of £279.7 million pounds. Evidence of a general hike in cost of transfers is abundant, some would say it is an inflated market. Although sponsorship and Television revenue continues to increase, as it does we’ll subsequently see even more astronomical fees paid.

Talking of immense payments: Philippe Coutinho, along with Virgil van Dijk, amply define this theory. Coutinho went to Barcelona from Liverpool for £106 million. Van Dijk for £75 million to The Reds from their seeming feeder-club, Southampton. I’m not suggesting that the formerly mentioned players are not top-talents or undeserving of elite club transitions. However, I am suggesting that we not read too much into the prices, because they are just numbers. The only element which really matters is entertainment.

The amount earned with sponsorship, prize funds and television are staggeringly high. In order for the English Premier League to continue being the best in the world, it must be profitable on this level. So long as supporters do not get charged higher ticket prices than the inflation level, we will enjoy better football as a result of better players. All right, rant (or not a rant) over. Let’s get back to the less boring business of commodity, the brilliant Premier League players moving clubs.

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Top Transfers

A previously mentioned, Coutinho and Van Dijk lead the pack currently with a combined sale value of £181 million. Everton are next to make their presence felt with the two next places. The Toffees spent £47 million altogether on Turk, Cenk Tosun and Theo Walcott, who arrived after 12 years at Arsenal. Sam Allardyce then allowed Ross Barkley to leave for an apparent under-payment of £15 million. Francis Coquelin also left Arsenal for sunny Spain, he moved to Valencia for £12 million.

Former Tottenham midfielder Alex Pritchard has left the Championship with Norwich for the Premier League again with Huddersfield Town for £10 million. Kevin Mirallas has gone on loan to Greek outfit, Olympiakos. Serbian Marko Grujic gave up life on Merseyside for the Welsh Capital. Also out on loan to prove themselves to parent club Spurs, are Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, who has joined Premier League over-achievers Burnley. Then The Lilywhites let Cameron Carter Vickers go to Ipswich Town. The last recognisable name is that of Manchester United striker James Wilson. His loan to Sheffield United is until the end of the season.

Two great prospective transfers

Although the YouTube video may be slightly premature, it does showcase the incredible skill, not to mention, goals of Alexis Sanchez. While serving to highlight the assertion that the Chilean could be absolutely key to Manchester United returning to former glory. His prowess in front of goal is second to none, along with his brain: the anticipation of a pass or sum up his opponent. Jose Mourinho candidly spoke to press about the proposed swap deal of Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Technically he’s also world-class, touch, ability, vision, passing work-rate all in his repertoire. Some of these attributes have been missing recently, or all season generally. I believe Sanchez is one of the world’s best players. The reason in my opinion he has not been performing to his amazing previous standard, is that his heart is no longer in it at Arsenal. Whether this be because of teammates or management or recruitment is up for debate.

Next: Goals galore

Mkhitaryan will be a superb signing for Arsenal, they are in need of his type of rapid-attack and invention. Especially if he can return to last season’s impressive introduction to the Premier League. The Armenian was involved in 16 goals for United in all competitions during 2016/17. There’s always a tremendous amount of speculation with regards to transfers. However, the media seem to be agreeing on this one going ahead. Most discussion is the subject of which club has the better deal?

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