The conventional wisdom is that the January transfer window is not a good time to make signings. Availability is limited, pushing up prices. On the other hand, one key signing could secure a place in Europe or even the title or help to avoid relegation. Given the tight yet fluid character of the Premier League this season that could be an even more important consideration than usual.
The conventional wisdom is that the January transfer window is not a good time to make signings. Availability is limited, pushing up prices. On the other hand, one key signing could secure a place in Europe or even the title or help to avoid relegation. Given the tight yet fluid character of the Premier League this season that could be an even more important consideration than usual.
But clubs are constrained by the Premier League rule that requires a 25-man squad over 21, eight of whom must have been developed locally. For example, Chelsea registered a squad of only 19 senior players in August, but they would not have been able to submit a squad of more than 21 because they had only four ‘home grown’ players.
A further constraint for clubs seeking to strengthen their squads is the 50 per cent marginal rate of personal taxation and the relative weakness of sterling against the euro, although it has recovered somewhat. For some clubs such as Blackpool it will not so much be a case of holding on to what they have. Everton have meagre amounts to spend but are among the clubs rumoured to be interested in key players Charlie Adam and David Vaughan.