Football’s transfer market closed for business last night not with a bang but a whimper. Even Harry Redknapp, the king of the wheeler-dealers, failed to pull a rabbit out of the hat.
Despite signing Niko Kranjcar, the Tottenham Hotspur manager failed in deals for David James, the goalkeeper he signed for Portsmouth, his former club, Martin Petrov and Matthew Upson, while Manchester City refused to spend any money on David Bentley, the Tottenham winger.
That the most notable transfer deals of the day, many for defenders, were already in the offing encapsulated the mood throughout the window. One of the quietest deadline days was memorable for the deals that did not happen.
Net spending was around half of the total for last summer and a quarter of the amount spent two years ago, with many clubs feeling the pinch of the global economic crisis.
Tottenham were unable to sell Carlo Cudicini, the Italian goalkeeper who joined the club in January, which meant that they did not feel able to bring in James, 39. The England goalkeeper has been disillusioned at Fratton Park, where he has one year left on his contract, after a turbulent summer. “There was nothing there,” Redknapp said. “David is a fantastic goalkeeper but I have two here and they are fantastic.”
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Tottenham’s tentative approach for Upson, the West Ham United central defender, was turned down and they failed in a late attempt to swap Alan Hutton for Anton Ferdinand, the Sunderland defender. West Ham had also been interested in taking Ferdinand back to Upton Park.
Redknapp consoled himself with the signing of Kranjcar, the Portsmouth midfield player, who will join Luka Modric and Vedran Corluka, his Croatian compatriots, at White Hart Lane. “It is terrific to have him,” Redknapp said. “Niko is a terrific footballer, a real Tottenham-type player. He’ll do well here.”
Kranjcar, 25, who turned down a move to Everton, said: “Tottenham had a bigger tradition and I knew the manager’s methods. The club has great ambition, great history. I would never have pushed to leave, but sadly the situation at Portsmouth changed.”
Petrov’s request to leave City was turned down by Mark Hughes, the City manager. The Bulgaria winger is out of contract at the end of the season and could be offered a new deal. “I can say that Martin wanted to join Tottenham,” Luchezar Taney, the player’s agent, said. “You see that he has some problems at City and that’s why he decided to look elsewhere and Spurs made an offer for him. But it’s not the end of the world.”
City were unwilling to add to the near £100 million net that they have spent this summer by signing Bentley, while Spurs refused to allow the winger to move on loan to the City of Manchester Stadium. Richard Dunne is expected to complete his move from City to Aston Villa today after passing a medical. The defender has been given extra time to agree personal terms and the transfer documents have been signed and sent to the Premier League before the deadline.
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David Moyes, the Everton manager, signed Johnny Heitinga, who agreed a five-year contract, from Atl?tico Madrid for £6 million. He follows Sylvain Distin, also a defender, to Goodison Park after Joleon Lescott’s £24 million move to City. “Heitinga is experienced and versatile and can hopefully fill a number of positions,” Moyes said. “I am sure he will be an exciting signing.”
James Collins, the West Ham defender, signed a four-year contract with Villa for a fee of £5 million. Nicky Shorey’s proposed loan move to Portsmouth from Villa fell through and the South Coast club failed in an attempt to sign Amr Zaki, the former Wigan Athletic forward, on loan from Zamalek, the Egyptian club.
Fulham signed David Elm, the Swedish forward, for about £1.5 million. The 26-year-old has signed on a one-year deal after making 64 appearances for Kalmar since joining from Falkenberg in 2006. “I have enjoyed my time in Sweden and I am now looking forward to a new and exciting chapter in my career with Fulham,” he said. However, Fulham’s late attempt to sign J?r?mie Aliadière, the striker, on loan was turned down by Middlesbrough.
Ivan Klasnic joined Bolton Wanderers on loan from Nantes, for whom he scored six goals despite their relegation from the top flight in France last season. The Croatia forward, 29, impressed as Werder Bremen achieved the domestic double in 2004, scoring 13 goals. Simply playing is a remarkable feat for Klasnic, who has had two kidney transplants.
West Ham pulled out of a loan deal for Benjani Mwaruwari, the Manchester City forward whose move to Hull City fell through because of the player’s wage demands.
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Burnley signed David Nugent on loan from Portsmouth, with the forward also wanted by Hull.
Swansea City rejected Wigan’s improved offer for Ferrie Bodde, the midfield player, while Birmingham City failed with a second attempt to sign Armand Traor?, the left back, on loan from Arsenal.
Hull signed Ibrahima Sonko, the defender, on loan. The Senegal player made 14 appearances for Stoke City last season but was unlikely to feature this season after the arrivals of Robert Huth and Danny Collins.