Since its inception in 2003 the January transfer window has been full of intrigue, particularly on the final day when clubs hurry to thrash out deals at the last minute like students pulling an all-nighter to dash off their coursework.
While the likes of Nemanja Vidic, Javier Mascherano and Brede Hangeland represent inspired transfer window acquisitions over the past few seasons, there is always a fair bit of risky business going on at this time of year.
As clubs begin to make a calculated push for the European places or resign themselves to the relegation battle, some managers are often prepared to take a gamble on players they wouldn’t otherwise consider, while others will simply go out and buy whatever’s in the shop window out of sheer desperation.
It is for these reasons that the January transfer window often seems to facilitate more bad business than good. Looking at some of the cautionary tales below, it’s perhaps no surprise that the last couple of Januarys have been slightly subdued in terms of transfer activity:
1. Savio Nsereko
Brescia to West Ham United, £9m (2009)
Pound for pound the worst January signing ever, Savio is football’s answer to the never-to-be-used gym membership so popular at this time of year. The Ugandan-born German with the Brazilian name proved surprisingly forgettable after starting just once for the Hammers. Supposedly signed as a replacement for the recently departed Craig Bellamy, Savio couldn’t find the net in any of his 10 appearances before being packed off to Fiorentina in the summer for an undisclosed fee, presumably to save West Ham further embarrassment.
2. Jean-Alain Boumsong
Glasgow Rangers to Newcastle United, £8m (2005)
An absolute liability of a centre-back who, alongside Titus Bramble at Newcastle, epitomised the phrase ‘comedy defending’. Graeme Souness has signed some shockers over the years, (let’s not forget the Ali Dia affair) but Boumsong has got to rank highest among them. One of the more heavily scrutinised transfers in the Lord Stevens inquiry, Newcastle supporters will simply be asking themselves how their club came to spend so much money on a player with so little discernible talent.
3. Afonso Alves
Heerenveen to Middlesbrough, £12m (2008)
Middlesbrough’s deadline day acquisition of a multi-million pound striker was the talk of the Premiership, let alone the Riverside. The “Goal Machine” banner that Boro fans unfurled at every game may well have looked justified when he scored a hat-trick early on in an 8-1 demolition of Manchester City, but this was something of an isolated incident. The banner was to cause them no end of embarrassment as the Brazilian plundered a mere four goals over the entire next season, which saw Middlesbrough relegated from the top flight.
4. Eric Djemba-Djemba
Manchester United to Aston Villa, £1.5m (2005)
So good they named him... perhaps not. Even more of a disappointment at Villa than he was at United. Farmed out on loan to Burnley after just 11 appearances, before his financial problems got the better of him and he was declared bankrupt. Currently being rehabilitated at Danish side Odense.
5. Andy Reid
Nottingham Forest to Tottenham Hotspur, £4m (2005)
Brought in by Martin Jol as part of the deal that also saw Michael Dawson arrive at White Hart Lane. Fans were critical of the attacking midfielder’s solitary goal in 26 appearances, not to mention his rather evident weight gain over that period. Dispatched to Charlton at the end of the following season and now in much better form at Sunderland. Save for the purchase of Dawson, it has to be said that Martin Jol generally made poor use of the January transfer window. Subsequent seasons saw him recruit Hossam Ghaly and Ricardo Rocha, both of whom could have made this list.
6. Fernando Morientes
Real Madrid to Liverpool, £6.3m (2005)
Widely regarded as one of the best strikers in Europe at the time and still only 28, Morientes arrived on Merseyside with much promise. This seemed to fade away however, as soon as he pulled on a Liverpool shirt. In what the player would later describe as the worst spell of his career, he managed only a dozen goals in 60 odd appearances before returning to Spain the following summer. Had he been eligible for the Champions League campaign that culminated in that epic night in Istanbul, Morientes may have looked back on his time at Anfield differently.
7. Georgios Samaras
Heerenveen to Manchester City, £6m (2006)
The young Greek striker started promisingly at Eastlands but ultimately struggled to adapt to the fast-paced and physical nature of the English game. Manager Stuart Pearce insisted the 21-year-old had great potential, but with only six goals in 42 appearances over the course of his second season Samaras simply didn’t deliver. As Pearce’s most expensive signing, pundits cite the striker’s failure as one of the main reasons behind the manager’s eventual departure. Now averaging a goal every two games at Celtic, Pearce was perhaps right about Samaras’ potential; he simply wasn’t suited to the Premiership.
8.Scott Parker
Charlton Athletic to Chelsea, £10m (2004)
Limited appearances for Chelsea upon his arrival, but still managed to pick up PFA Young Player of the Year. After first team opportunities were even scarcer the following season, he was sold to Newcastle in the summer for a £3.5m loss that Roman Ambramovich is unlikely to have lost much sleep over. Parker however may feel that those 18 months on the Chelsea bench could have been better spent.
9.Kevin Nolan
Bolton Wanderers to Newcastle United, £4m (2009)
Something of a hero at Bolton, Nolan decided to leave the Reebok for bigger things... only to find himself playing Championship football six months later - although to his credit the 27-year-old hasn’t jumped ship since the club’s relegation. Not a bad signing for Newcastle, but a terrible move for a player who this time last year had serious England ambitions.
10.James Beattie
Southampton to Everton, £6m (2005)
David Moyes broke the club’s transfer record to bring him to Merseyside, yet many have forgotten James Beattie ever played for the Toffees, such was his impact. His first few months at the club ravaged by injuries and suspension, Beattie managed only two goals before the end of the season. He recovered with a more prolific 2005/6 campaign, but again found himself out of form and out of favour the following season. Everton were lucky to recoup most of their initial outlay when they sold him to Sheffield United for £4m in 2007.