Deadline for player transfers in the English Premier League and that only means one thing: the silly season of the most famous league in all of world football begins.
As fans around the world endure three tortuous summer months in the lockdown season, the only thing keeping them busy is the trickle of new signing news and endless speculation about big-name stars signing with one team or another.
Would Brazilian sensation Ronaldinho join the wealthy megastars of Manchester City? Will Chelsea finally get their hands on Spanish striker Fernando Torres or will Liverpool keep their man? Amid the flurry of last-minute activity, the biggest news came from the most unlikely places.
However, this speculation usually comes to a head when the deadline approaches, which is August 31. This year was no different.
First, the news of Robinho’s departure from Manchester City hits the air. He left for AC Milan in a deal rumored to be worth around £22m. A lot of money, but still less than what Man City paid for him just two years ago! A simple statement on AC Milan’s official website read that “AC Milan announces that it has acquired Robinho on a permanent deal with Manchester City.” And that was it!
In a reversal of fortunes, the former Santos player who had arrived at the Eastlands amid much fanfare and in rather dramatic fashion at the dawn of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed’s reign al Nahyan at Manchester City on transfer deadline day Two years ago, too, was the transfer deadline, only this time, most fans were probably happy to see the back of the talented playmaker who never seemed to settle down in the Eastlands for whatever reason. We continue! And City have bought many other players to replace him. In fact, by some estimates, they have spent about half of the total amount spent during this particular transfer window.
One thing is certain. This Premier League season is going to be as exciting as any in the last ten years. Let the games begin!