How unsettling is transfer gossip?
Plenty of cash is thrown around in January
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Tuesday, 30, Jan 2007 11:50
Now that February is just around the corner we are coming to the end of the mid-season transfer window when all sorts of clubs are linked with any unsettled player that pundits feel would fit nicely into their set-up.
The big talking points in this window have been Chelsea's centre-back conundrum, West Ham's newfound wealth and David Beckham being linked with, and then going to, the United States' domestic league.
But while unsettled players and their agents undoubtedly welcome such gossip because rumours of interest from various clubs automatically drives up a player's price, how welcome is the tittle-tattle for players who are bedded down at a club?
The obvious example to start with is Owen Hargreaves, whose future has reportedly been "in the balance" for about seven months now, since he outperformed the rest of the England team and caught the eye of Premiership big boys Manchester United.
Hargreaves has, as recently as this week, specifically stated that he doesn't take too much notice of transfer speculation but there are no doubt others who are worried by rumours that their club does not want them.
Many may not even be considering a move away from their club until they pick up a paper and find that the team's manager or chief executive has confirmed an interest in a top-class player at their position, leading to all kinds of talk about the future for the existing squad members.
The example of Hargreaves going to Manchester United must surely be taking its toll on Old Trafford new boy Michael Carrick, who is in line to be the first to lose his first-team starting berth if the England player of the year makes his long-awaited move.
If United are willing to pay £20 million-plus for Hargreaves then that seemingly means he is more highly-valued by Sir Alex Ferguson than the former Tottenham midfielder.
Add to that the England coaching staff's preference for Hargreaves' over Carrick at international level and the result is surely a dent to the current Red Devils holding player's confidence.
Clubs themselves must also dread a transfer target of theirs being touted around the media as it could prompt other teams to try to muscle in on a deal if they know a player is available.
Such seemed to be the case with Lucas Neill's move away from Blackburn Rovers this January, when he was heavily linked to a switch to Liverpool but instead opted for West Ham (apparently the reported pay packet of £60,000 a week had nothing to do with his change of heart).
Neill seemed a certainty for Anfield until weeks of transfer speculation surrounding the Australian ended with Alan Curbishley tempting the defender to join his struggling outfit ahead of Champions League-chasing Liverpool - a classic case of speculation affecting a particular transfer's outcome.
Beckham's rumoured move away from the Bernabeu also seemed to affect his first-team chances at Real Madrid.
Although some may say new coach Fabio Capello already had it in his mind to do away with the former England captain before the rumours began that Beckham may swap La Liga for Major League Soccer, Capello had earlier expressed his admiration for the right midfielder.
The troubled seemed to start when rumours over Beckham's future angered Capello and the Italian - never afraid to make the tough choices and leave out big names - dropped Becks to the bench, and then started leaving him out altogether.
Despite words of support from the club president and a multitude of fan letters, the 31-year-old made his mind up earlier this month that the USA was to be his future and the gossip rumour mill had another victim.
With all these problems stemming from transfer speculation, is it not unquestionably a good thing for it to last for just 31 days while the season is in full swing?
Nevertheless, as a fan, one cannot help thinking "roll on the summer"!
Alistair Potter