SAM’S KING OF THE JANUARY QUICK-FIX MEN

IF the summer transfer window is about a long-term strategy and planning for the season ahead, the January window is a different matter.

It is about clubs reacting to problems and looking for a quick fix.

And, in the past two seasons, Sam Allardyce (above) has been the master.

At Sunderland, he signed Lamine Kone and Wahbi Khazri, players who had not performed at Premier League level before, but contributed almost immediately and helped keep them up.

At Crystal Palace last year, he held out for Mamadou Sakho, who wanted to prove a point to parent club Liverpool – and Allardyce used that to help the Eagles beat the drop.

There is more of a potential to sign players who perform at a higher level abroad as Premier League clubs aren’t usually going to help each other out.

From eighth in the table to 20th, teams probably see others as rivals, so, unless someone overpays, they aren’t going to help. January is such a short window and it isn’t helped by the volume of games, with clubs needing every player, so often they are reluctant to let them go.

There may be a difference this term because of the World Cup, meaning a better calibre of player is available due to the players’ needs for games.

Those with contracts expiring at the end of the season, such as Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, represent the best chance of value for money.

Clubs will offer two-thirds of the expected fee, knowing Arsenal won’t get anything for frees in the summer.

A cheeky offer can involve a club’s financial staff rather than a manager.

That means a conversation has to be had at the other end: “Do we take X amount now or lose him for nothing in the summer? How much will that cost us in terms of league places?”

January is about spinning plates for recruiters. And if you come out of it with everyone still on the same page and appreciating the effort, that’s probably the best you can hope for.