Top 10 Deadline Day Deals

All in all, it was a rather disappointing transfer deadline day. There was a few surprises here and there, and Harry Redknapp did his best to promote the uses of the last minute moves as per usual, but there were no fireworks to keep us all up past midnight. It closes what has been a quiet January overall. Just £60 million was spent by Premier League clubs, a reduction of 70% on last year’s £225 million. However, here are ten of the more intriguing deals of yesterday:

Nikica Jelavic, Rangers to Everton – The most expensive transfer that took place yesterday surprisingly came at Goodison Park.Jelavic was always expected to take leave from Ibrox, with Rangers in dire straits financially, and it proved £5.5 million was too good to turn down. West Ham were also interested, but Everton tied up a move reasonably early, introducing the player on the pitch at half-time during their win over Manchester City. It will be interesting to see how the Croatian international goes in the Premier League, he scored goals in galore in Scotland, but then again, so did Kris Boyd…

Louis Saha, Everton to Tottenham – It seems the Toffees have allergic reactions to strikers, as soon as they finally bolster their much-maligned frontline, they ship another one straight out. This transfer had Twitter in overdrive; no-one could really understand why Redknapp wanted a 33-year-old striker that struggles to get off his sickbed to increase his large numbers of forwards at White Hart Lane. Still, if he can get Saha fit and playing, it could prove to be a masterstoke, indeed the Frenchman has shown at Fulham, Manchester United and indeed Everton themselves in brief glimpses why people rate him so highly, he is a class act, but just can’t stay fit.

Steven Pienaar, Tottenham to Everton – The two clubs continued their solo effort to excite the fans yesterday, although a move for Pienaar always looked on the cards, as he has barely featured for Spurs since his move from Everton last year. It looked as if Harry had pulled a bargain out of the hat lat year, bringing the diminutive South African down to London, but it just hasn’t worked out for whatever reasons. Everton fans will now hope David Moyes can install some confidence into him and get him back on top form.

Djibril Cisse, Lazio to QPR – The eccentric frontman just can’t stay away from the Premier League, indeed QPR will be his third English club, after Liverpool and Sunderland. A £4 million was agreed with Lazio, something of a bargain deal for boss Mark Hughes as Cisse is a proven goal scorer, whilst adding a touch of excitement to proceedings. The Frenchman is always a popular player, with his constant battle to see what he can make more colourful, his boots or his hair. This could prove a good move for the R’s, they need goals and Cisse has spent his career scoring them.

Bobby Zamora, Fulham to QPR – Not content with one striker, Hughes also added another, England International and Euro 2012 hopeful Bobby Zamora. The Fulham striker has won over the doubters in recent years, but has struggled for form in recent months, mainly thanks to a rift with boss Martin Jol. A deadline day exit always looked on the cards and a switch across Londonwas agreed for £4 million. Rumour had it that Bobby asked for £90k a week, something a little optimistic for a man with 21 Premiership goals in four years and about whom the fans used to sing “If the ball hits your head and you’re in row Z, it’s Zamora.” Still wage issues were sorted out and Bobby’s improved form in front of goal means those in row Z at Loftus Roadwon’t be in too much danger.

Pavel Pogrebnyak, Stuttgart to Fulham – With Zamora leaving and Andy Johnson set to fellow suit in the summer, Fulhamneeded a replacement pretty rapidly. They settled on Russian international Pogrebnyak, who has scored 8 goals for his country and won the UEFA Cup in 2008. An undisclosed fee has been agreed and Fulham fans will wait with baited breath as to whetherPogrebnyak can succeed where fellow countryman Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko have failed in setting the Premier League alight.

Roman Pavlyuchenko, Tottenham to Lokomotiv Moscow – Since we’re on the subject, Mr Pavlyuchenko finally sealed his WhiteHart Lane exit, something he’d been looking to do for a long time. A fee of £8 million was agreed, as Spurs failed to recoup the £14 million they paid to city rivals Spartak back in 2008. The Russian striker’s career at Spurs has been an odd one; he started badly, but grew to be a fan’s favourite, who can’t understand why Redknapp hasn’t used him more, especially instead of Peter Crouch last year. 42 goals in 113 appearances represent a fairly decent return for a man who sat on the bench most of his Tottenham career and his exit will have disappointed quite a few people in North London.

Ravel Morrison, Manchester United to West Ham – A deal that raised a few eyebrows, but there’s no doubt Big Sam has pulled off a transfer coup here. The attacking midfielder was highly rated at United, who believed Morrison was the most talented academy product they’ve had since Paul Scholes. Disciplinary issues have hampered his young career so far, indeed he struggles to stay on the right side of the law and this prompted United to finally give up on the player, allowing the player to move down to London for an undisclosed fee. It will be interesting to see how he goes, if he can sort his attitude out, then West Ham will undoubtedly have yet another England international on their hands.

Wayne Bridge, Manchester City to Sunderland– Ah finally. The move we’ve all been waiting for. Wayne Bridge has finally decided he wants to play football. Except once again, a deal can only be completed on loan. Sunderland have decided that Bridge represents a good option at left-back, despite his dislike for actually playing football. Even Roberto Mancini is at a loss as to what to do with Wayne, indeed he no longer attends match days apparently, but goes and plays golf instead. Let’s see if his ability has suffered, as there is no doubt Bridge was once a talented footballer.

David Pizarro, Roma to Manchester City – With City’s title challenge faltering, Mancini decided he needed more strength in depth in the middle of the park. Despite having James Milner, Nigel De Jong, Gareth Barry, Owen Hargreaves and Yaya Toure(when he returns from the African Cup of Nations), he still signed Chilean international Pizarro on loan from Roma. No spring chicken at 32, the cultural midfielder will hopefully provide some steel and experience to a City side that are struggling at the moment.

Tom Mordey @The_CoinToss

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