Transfer Window Roundup
Jermaine Defoe has finally realized that he might have to actually football to attract Fabio Capello’s attention, because growing an absurd line of hair and wearing bras on his head just weren’t cutting it. He has made a last minute move to Portsmouth for 9m GBP. He hopes that playing every week will increase the probability of a return to the England setup.
However, Defoe may once again have a battle for playing time on hands, as Benjani’s 8m GBP move to Manchester City did not go through. The clubs could not get the paperwork through in time to meet the deadline. Sven’s secretaries are speedy and proficient, but can they type?
Middlesbrough have also been after a sexy striker, signing Brazilian international Alfonso Alves from Dutch club Heerenveen for a record transfer fee of 12m GBP. Alves scored 34 goals in 31 appearances in the Eredivisie last season. If he can be 1/17 that proficient in the Premier League, he will still be better than Aliadiere in the Premier League.
And finally, American and Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan had his 2m GBP move to Aston Villa cancelled, after the Home Office failed to grant the poor guy a work permit.
Tags: England, Middlesbrough, USA, Fabio Capello, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Portsmouth, Tottenham, Jermaine Defoe, Benjani, Alfonso Alves, Chivas USA, Brad Guzan
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
1 February 2008 at 10:24 am
I sympathise with Brad Guzan; the process of obtaining a work permit as a non-EU national is worse in the Premier League than it is any other European league (the equally risible case of Nashat Akram’s transfer to Manchester City, which was only blocked on the basis of Iraq’s FIFA ranking, shows just how ridiculous the current legislation is.) Still, Messrs Guzan and Akram could always appeal their respective verdicts in the summer (most of these appeals tend to be successful.)