Strategic transfer spending except at QPR

The final analysis is yet to be done but it seems that spending in this year's transfer window was about double that of 2012, but below the 'splurge' level of 2011.   It seems that most clubs have taken a strategic viewpoint, analysing their long-term needs.

The exception has been QPR where there was what has been described as a trolley dash as the club battles to stay in the Premiership in anticipation of next year's lucrative television deal.  Chris Samba was brought in on a four-and-a-half year deal for a £20m fee and wages of £100,000 a week.   His contract over its lifetime will cost more than the annual wages of Swansea City.

His deal and that for Remy will cost the Super Hoops £80m in total and that is before one factors in the other last minute signings.    One person who will not be joining the club is West Bromwich Albion's Peter Odemingie.   He drove himself down to Loftus Road and proclaimed outside that he would be joining the club, but there was no permission for a deal to proceed.

This is a high stakes gamble for the club and it is now imperative that they avoid relegation.   At least one contract gives the player permission to leave if they get relegated and get a pay off as well.   It's a very different world from that which most of us know.