It has been an interesting ten days in the world of Premiership football, a world record transfer bid for Kaka rejected, Tottenham busy re-signing the food poisoned squad that just missed out on the Champions League, and now the cherry on the sundae, the rape allegations against the samba star Robinho. Just a normal week in the world of English football. What will happen next?
Business as usual
Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Liverpool have been extremely composed in the January transfer window, carrying out their business with decorum and professionalism, doing their best to not use the press to make contact with their targets, or give away any information on their own players. Essentially, knowing that the involvement of City would give their targets license to demand to be bathed in a bath of purified water from the depths of the Amazon by a gaggle of scantily dressed virgins. As well as a £150 000 a week.
Just a game of cat and mouse
The Sport.co.uk team have been busy this window, contacting agents, players, managers and toilet cleaners, to bring you the truth behind the rumours. And it is extremely funny how some members of the public assume that the press know the truth behind every rumour, well let me tell you, it is just a game of cat and mouse. We chase whoever we can get hold off who is close to the deal. Whether it be an agent, or toilet cleaner, and then try and suck out of them exactly what the hell is going on.
Unfortunately, across the board, the window gives journalists free reign to write exactly what they want, so there are some rumours knocking around the wires that have been plucked from thin air. But, obviously, you don't need me to tell you that. We have had our fair share of abuse from the general public, here are a couple of our favourites:
“Go home and die you lazy journalist.”
And
“Are you the work experience boy? I hope you have aids.”
And my favourite:
“Another mickey mouse journalist making stuff up. Get a job you're good at you plum.”
This type of abuse is something that comes with the territory. We have never told a lie on this website, all the information whether accompanied by quotes or not, has a source. It is either a person, or another publication or platform. When we quote someone close to the deal it is because we have been given information by a source off the record, it isn't because we are sitting in our pants at home conspiring to shake up the transfer window with mindless tittle tattle. Trust me!
Rumours are part of the magic
We wouldn't change the mystery and magic of the transfer window, because rumours and speculation is all we have to cling to as fans. If we lost that mate in the pub who says his next door neighbours brother's best mate does the dry cleaning for Arsene Wenger's other half's cousin, and he has it from the horse's mouth that Arsenal are signing Andrei Arshavin. What would we all talk about if this part of British culture was lost forever. It is a part of English football that goes hand in hand with the pies, terraces, rain and hatred of referees.
Richards wants out
We recently received a lot of abuse regarding the Micah Richards rumours linking him with a move to either Arsenal or Liverpool. With other publications linking the England man with a transfer to Bolton and Wigan. Let me set the record straight on this one. The player may have come out and said on his website he wants to stay at City. But we are not reporting lies at the time of publication.
As far as we know, and this is what we are sticking to, Micah Richards wants to leave Manchester City in the foreseeable future. If he doesn't go this window he will leave in the summer. Don't shoot the messenger folks, just remember you heard it here first. He may well change his mind, and spend the next ten years of his life at the Eastlands, but our sources suggest there is high probability he will leave City in the near future, if any of you have spoken to the player please let me know what the truth is.
Arshavin deal down to money
Another transfer rumour that has run on is the Andrei Arshavin move to Arsenal. The player is close to a deal and we expect it to be concluded in the next couple of days. The issue is the agent's fees and wages of the player. His agent has stopped talking to journalists, which suggest the deal is close to being completed, or about to fall flat on its face.
This time next week the transfer window will be over. The next week will be a mad rally of agents and players manoeuvring into position for the big push over the top. It will take one big transfer to go through and the rest will follow. Enjoy the finish gentlemen.
Until next time...