Managers must have the I think any change to our Final say in any transfer, but windows could be abused
The transfer window is warming up nicely, and already some big money has been spent.
We all know there is now a set period, twice a year, to get business done.
That’s not how it used to be, but that’s the way it is now.
Some might prefer to go back to the days when there were no restrictions on signing players, and you could be active in the transfer market any time you liked.
I’m now used to the “windows” system. But I would like it more if clubs were given a bit of leeway to assist if they are hit by an injury crisis at any given time.
But I suppose some would be tempted to abuse that system, and it has the potential to end up causing more harm than good.
So we go with what we have, and there is plenty to be done for many clubs between now and the end of this window.
Across the country right now, the managers and their backroom staffs will be working away with their heads of recruitment and chief scouts.
Dozens of names will be floated about, and a few will be explored at length. Everybody with a responsibility for the playing staff will be busy, and they all
Getting Allan Mcgregor to stay may well be the best news Rangers get in the coming weeks
have a part to play.
But I always feel it’s important that the manager has the final say on who is signed.
I tend to think that gives the football club the best possible chance of success.
Of course, once the manager has identified a particular target and gives the green light to pursue him, it’s up to the hierarchy to get the deal over the line.
Ultimately, the power lies with them because managers do not get involved in any negotiations about transfer fees and wages.
They just hope that a deal for the players they fancy can get over the line.
The past few weeks have seen a fair bit of activity.
Celtic signed Cameron Carter-vickers on a permanent deal from Tottenham for a fee in the region of £6-million, plus add-ons.
And Ange Postecoglou appears to be close to doing one or two more bits of business.
Rangers haven’t added to their squad, but they have managed to re-sign Allan Mcgregor.
It must be reassuring for Giovanni van Bronckhorst to have his veteran goalkeeper in the building for another year, at least.
Allan had a very good season, and was a major reason why the club made it to the Europa League Final.
Indeed, getting him to stay may well
be the best piece of news Rangers get in the next few weeks.
They will strengthen, of course, but not knowing if they are in the Champions League or not doesn’t give them that certainty.
They may well have targets they can then go for if they make it through the qualifiers and get a hold of that £35m pot in Europe’s top competition.
But I’m sure they will have a list of others if they drop down into the Europa League.
That’s the most sensible way for any football club to go about their business. You cannot spend what you do not have.
There needs to be a budget that you stick to, and there needs to be a structure.
Celtic are in a position to spend right now because they know what their income is going to be for the next six months.
They have that certainty, and that’s a great position for any manager or chief executive to be in.
It will be interesting to see who else big Ange adds to his squad but, like Allan Mcgregor across the city at Ibrox, he will do well to better the signing of CarterVickers in terms of quality.
The American defender is excellent. He has a presence and is really powerful, and settled into the club very quickly. That was so important.
A lot of deals have been struck in England, and I’m sure Jurgen Klopp would have been delighted to secure Darwin Nunez from Benfica. He looks like a top player.
At Manchester City, Erling Haaland has been signed from Borussia Dortmund. Again, I’m sure Pep Guardiola will be thrilled to have him through the door.
There have been some new signings at Tottenham, and both Arsenal and Newcastle United have been active.
Everton and Manchester United have been linked with a number of players, and we’ll see what develops there.
It’s all what makes the transfer window go around.