If you polled managers about the January transfer window, most would probably tell you that they are not a fan. Doing business in mid-season is not easy, and bargains are hard to find. For a buying club it can be a statement of intent if the manager goes out and makes a multi-million pound signing, but for the selling club it can be a catalyst for fan unrest. Selling a star player while your team is struggling against relegation can be seen as a sign of the club giving up, cashing in before the inevitable financial difficulties in a lower division leave you forced to sell your better players cheaply.
But even some big clubs may receive offers they cannot refuse this January. In Scotland, Rangers and Celtic have players that have drawn admiring glances from the Premier League. At last week’s Old Firm match, both Roy Hodgson and David Moyes were spotted in the crowd, apparently there to see Nikica Jelavic in action for Rangers. Manager Ally McCoist has found himself repeatedly answering questions about the Croatian striker’s future at the club, with several English clubs linked with a move for him.
Having dropped down to 2nd place in the SPL after losing to Celtic, McCoist is starting to find himself under some pressure. Jelavic is Rangers top goalscorer, and losing him would leave a massive void up front. Rangers missed out on Champions League money after a disappointing early exit in the qualifying rounds, and with a tax case against HMRC still lurking in the background, money may be thin on the ground for McCoist in January.
Jelavic has been linked with moves of £8million or more, but it is unclear whether or not McCoist would be given any of that money to spend. One positive for Rangers is that since Craig Whyte bought the club last year, they have been able to lock up key players on long term contracts, which allows them to avoid losing players cheaply or for nothing, as happened with Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller in the last 18 months.
Allan McGregor and captain Steven Davis have also been linked with moves to the Premier League in recent months, and although both extended their contracts in the summer, that may not stop clubs from making enquiries about their availability. Ally McCoist has admitted that he needs to freshen up his squad and add more quality in January, but if he is forced to replace key players with limited funds, defending the SPL title will become even more difficult.
On the other side of Glasgow, Celtic have already been active in the transfer market, completing a deal to sign Swedish defender Mikael Lustig after his contract with Rosenborg expired. Although Neil Lennon has not had to face as much speculation about his players in the last few weeks as Ally McCoist has, players such as Gary Hooper, James Forrest and Emilio Izaguirre were linked with moves to England in the summer, with Forrest drawing praise from Harry Redknapp. Celtic have a bigger squad than Rangers, but Lennon would still be reluctant to lose key players, and has also suggested he wants to make at least two more signings in January.
After beating Rangers to move into the top spot in the SPL, Lennon suggested he would be looking to sign another centreback and another striker this month. Senegalese striker Baba Diawara (currently with Maritimo) has been a long-term target, but Celtic may be priced out of a move with his club looking for £4million.
In recent January windows, Celtic have not been afraid to make big name signings. After signing Craig Bellamy on loan from Newcastle in 2005, Celtic signed Roy Keane in 2006, Robbie Keane in 2010, and Freddie Ljungberg last year. While these moves haven’t always resulted in success, owner Dermot Desmond has shown that he is willing to bankroll a short-term move for a player the club considers able to make a huge difference to results.
That may or may not happen this year, but the January transfer window will have a big influence on who finishes top of the SPL at the end of the season. If Premier League clubs come calling, both managers may find themselves without key players, but if they can hold onto their star men, who they sign might make all the difference.
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