Deadline day for player transfers in the English Premier League and that means just one thing: enter the silly season for the most celebrated league in all of world soccer.
As fans across the globe endure a tortuous three months of summer in the close season, the only thing to keep them busy is the trickle of news about new signings and endless speculations about big name stars signing for one team or the other.
Would Brazilian sensation Ronaldinho be joining the mega rich stars of Manchester City? Will Chelsea finally get their hands on the Spanish striker Fernando Torres or will Liverpool keep hold of their man? Amid the flurry of last-minute activity, the biggest news came from the most unlikely places.
However, this speculation typically comes to a head as the deadline day, which is the 31st of August approaches. This year was no different.
First, news of Robinho’s departure from Manchester City hit the air waves. He left for AC Milan in a deal rumoured to be worth about 22 million pounds. A lot of money, but still short of what Man City paid for him only two years ago! A simple statement on the AC Milan official website stated that “AC Milan announces it has acquired Robinho on a permanent deal from 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 the reign of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan at Manchester City on transfer deadline day two years ago also left on transfer deadline day only this time, most fans were probably happy to see the back of the talented play maker who never really seemed to settle at the Eastlands for whatever reason. We move on! And City have bought a lot of other players to replace him. Indeed, by some estimates, they have spent about half of all 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 past ten years. Let the games begin!