A Tale of Two Transfer Markets: Act Quick or Lose Quickly for Big Names




Beyond The Pitch show

Summary: Once again the summer transfer window is under the microscope with football commentator and pundit Janusz Michallik as we take yet another look at the big market teams in England and Spain who continue to shape in which order the dominos will continue to fall now that many of the giant moves have already taken place at some of the big spenders this off-season. This is where the likes of Gareth Bale, Luis Suarez, Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fabregas continue to drive much of the speculation and consistent rumours in terms of potential interlocking moves between leagues and clubs where clear needs exist for several high profile managers working in their first season with some of the largest football clubs in the world. We begin with a lack of star power arriving in the Premier League this off-season which seems to run counter-intuitive to the new broadcasting revenue arriving by means of the new Sky and BT contracts, then we examine many of the ongoing transfer sagas with some background into each and which factors could prove telling in the coming days and weeks. We also explore the apparent failures at both Arsenal and Manchester United this closed season as the big and defining move for strikers and midfielders respectively have not materialized either by first order plan or clear back up strategy to date. This includes a deep look into potential Suarez and Rooney moves, how the Fabregas discussion may by the longest saga to solve of all because it involves a delicate balance between promises issued and kept by Barcelona and why the consistent threat to move in Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be the final big piece for a club like Real Madrid who might decide that Luis Suarez is not a risk work accepting. Loads here on the open moves on the chess board, how they could be resolved and what the factors could be as we dig into the implications and ramifications with some big managerial reputations in the balance in a World Cup year.