Transfer Deadline Day
As much speculation and rumor-milling as America’s Big Four trade deadlines entail, their coverage combined roughly equates to European football’s transfer deadline, which took place today. Adam Schefter, Chris Broussard, and Buster Olney pale in comparison to the English media over these past few hectic hours. Too many transfers took place today, but some of importance:
Clint Dempsey to Tottenham Hotspur.
As a Spurs supporter and red blooded American, I could not be more excited. Cannot wait to see Deuce at White Hart Lane. Tottenham also acquired French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris from Lyon and Dempsey’s Fulham teammate Mousa Dembele, while letting Mr. Sylvie Van der Vaart return to Hamburg and American Nightmare, Giovanni Dos Santos, to leave for Real Mallorca in Spain. Following the long-awaited departure of Luka Modric earlier in the week, Spurs were quick to replenish the squad ahead of the 2012/13 campaign.
Manchester City Stocks Up.
Surprise, surprise, Man City were the big spenders (approximately £40M in less than 24 hours). The biggest move came in the form of Javi Garcia, a Real Madrid product by way of Benfica in Portugal. City also added Inter Milan’s goal-scoring (and aging) fullback Maicon, EPL-experienced Scott Sinclair from Swansea City, and highly-rated 19 year old Matija Nastasic from Fiorentina. Kung fu kicking Nigel de Jong departed for AC Milan taking the vacated holding midfielder/d’bag position vacated by Mark van Bommel.
The Big Ponytail Heads to West Ham
Before losing out to Tottenham in the Dempsey stakes, Liverpool loaned out disappointing Andy Carroll to West Ham for the season. They also sold off Charlie Adam to Stoke City after purchasing him last summer from Blackpool for twice today’s transfer fee. Tough day for Liverpool supporters, but at least when they walk, they will not be alone.
QPR and Marseille Trade, One Apparent Winner.
Queens Park Rangers brought in defender Stephane M’bia from France to cap off twelve summer signings funded by new owner and AirAsia billionaire Tony Fernandes. In a separate transaction, Joey Barton heads in the opposite direction to Marseille. If you don’t know about Joey Barton, read this. And this. And this. Advantage, QPR.
Berba to Fulham, Little Consolation.
Losing Deuce and Dembele to Spurs is tough and the arrival of Dimitar Berbatov will help some, but not much. The ex-Spur and frequent target of ManU fans hasn’t been the same since he left London in 2008. After signing Robin Van Persie and Shinji Kagawa earlier in the transfer period, ManU were content and quiet aside from the Berba move today.
Quick Loans.
Michael Essian joined Real Madrid on a season-long loan from Chelsea, Nicklas Bendtner continued his loan-streak from parent club Arsenal in a move to Juventus, and Yossi Benayoun is travels to yet another EPL club, West Ham United. Essian will find a tough time cracking the Madrid lineup while Gunner fans are happy they will not be seeing Bendtner in red and white for at least another year.
Whew. What a day.
#COYS
