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A quiet transfer window

The January transfer window is generally quieter than the one in the summer. It is difficult to secure value and panic purchases may not change a team's fortunes. Sometimes it makes more sense to prepare for relegation rather than spending large sums in a futile attempt to avoid it.

However, it does seem that there is a feeling this year that unrealistic sums are being asked for average players and this will lead to a quieter transfer window than usual. Some commentators think that the final sum spent could be less than a third of last year's record total.

The total spent up to deadline day this year has been £110m, compared to £280m in 2018. Last year £150m was spent on deadline day alone, but more of a flurry than a last minute splurge is anticipated for today. This year's total expected is expected to be £130m - £140m, similar to 2014 and 2015.

Clubs are looking for loan deals with the possibility of a signing in the summer. In most incoming loan deals Premier League clubs will pay 100 per cent of the player's wages and there may be success bonuses.

Speculation that Brexit may have depressed the market doesn't seem to be based on any evidence. A more important factor may be the relatively stable positions of the top six in the Premier League.

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