MARC HIGGINSON charts the big transfers during the summer in Division One. AS ever, First Division clubs have been busy in the transfer market, some more active than others with one of the busiest being our very own Wanderers.
They have sold more than £8m worth of talent during the summer, re-investing just over £2m. In total Sam Allardyce has been involved in 12 deals, with the most high-profile moves being the departure of Eidur Gudjohnsen to Chelsea and Claus Jensen to Charlton both for £4m.
The signing of Per Frandsen from Blackburn could prove to be the shrewdest, especially at a fee of £1.6m.
Perhaps the most significant transfer in the division was the move of Craig Hignett from Barnsley to Blackburn. The £2.25m fee appears chicken feed when you consider Hignett almost single-handedly took Barnsley to the brink of promotion with his goals last season.
Another high-profile mover between First Division clubs is Geoff Horsfield. The former bricklayer was surprisingly sold by Fulham to promotion rivals Birmingham City in a £2m plus deal and with Birmingham also bringing in experienced full-backs David Burrows and Nicky Eaden, they will again have a big say in the promotion shake-up.
Big-spending Fulham have been relatively quiet in the transfer market with Louis Saha being the only £2m signing. Saha had a brief spell with Newcastle last year and will prove to be an inspired signing for new boss Jean Tigana, who also picked up John Collins for an undisclosed fee.
Sheffield Wednesday are undergoing transition at the moment and have seen many of their high-profile stars quit the club. Niclas Alexandersson was the biggest casualty after expressing a wish to play for Everton and a £2.5m deal ensued.
Wimbledon are the other club to have been scarred by relegation and Neil Sullivan, Ben Thatcher and Carl Cort have retained their top-flight status with Spurs and Newcastle.
Watford emerged from their demotion relatively unscathed and financially solid considering their double swoop on Spurs to net Allan Nielsen and Espen Baardsen for a cool £3.75m. West Brom, meanwhile, having so far managed to keep hold of Lee Hughes, have also snapped up promising striker Jason Roberts from Bristol Rovers. The £2m deal appears to be good business for both clubs and could help West Brom escape another relegation scrap.
The biggest clanger in the transfer market this summer was dropped by Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock when he signed Nantes striker Patrick Suffo. Suffo is suspended in France for misconduct and FIFA have extended that ban worldwide. The ban isn't lifted until November. What are you going to do in August, September and October, Neil?
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article