Jon Mcleod
Andrew MacdougallJanuary sales: 5 of the best and 5 of the worst
Despite the unniversal tightening of belts, the threat of relegation and Man City's billions mean the should be plenty of activity in the transfer market this January. Here we look at the best and worst of the potential buys....
Best buys:
1. Michael Owen - Despite the statements to the contrary, Owen is desperate to end his turmoil with the Toon. And why wouldn't he be. The thing is a sale now could make sense for Newcastle, assuming they will avoid the drop without him, as the striker is certain to be off in the summer.
2. Amr Zaki - The attributes are obvious and a drop in form, induced by a period of injuries, will have lowered the price a touch and means a reasonable bid could scrape under the radar.
3. Marcos Senna - The Villarreal and Spain midfielder is available and still has much to offer. The 32-year-old's experience and grit mean there should be no shortage of suitors. Perfect stop gap for Arsenal or Manchester City.
4. Roque Santa Cruz - The ties have been mended in order to pave the way for a transfer to be done without anyone losing face or cash. Man City's interest could force a prohibitive price but he remains a top striker with an average team.
5. Mathew Upson - Over the past few seasons the West Ham defender has confirmed his quality and with West Ham a selling club once again expect him to be in demand. The figures (£15million) maybe highly fanciful but a more measure price should be agreed although he may have to wait for the summer.
Worst buys:
1. Craig Bellamy - Will he never learn, will they never learn. Decent player but by no means special enough to justify the grim excess baggage especially if you are the richest club in the world.
2. Adriano - Problems off hte pitch and poor form on it at Inter Milan mean the Brazilian is available and looking for a move but they also mean he is a gamble of Russian roulette proportions.
3. Joey Barton - Reportedly Tony Adams is willing to give the disgraced Newcastle midfielder a sporting chance at Pompey. If he does, Adams will be stepping into a whole new hell.
4. Emie Heskey - The Wigan striker is the ultimate fashion accessory. Heskey seasonally goes in and out of fashion but the fact remains he is a striker that does not score goals. Sure goals aren't everything but they are definitely something and to have a striker under no obligation to hit the net is ridiculous. Has already proved he cannot cut it at the top.
5. Andrei Arshavin - A strange choice perhaps. But if Arsene Wenger believes the Russian forward can transform Arsenal's season, he is distressingly deluded. A transfer would be an overpriced puchase of a yet to be proven player.
Best buys:
1. Michael Owen - Despite the statements to the contrary, Owen is desperate to end his turmoil with the Toon. And why wouldn't he be. The thing is a sale now could make sense for Newcastle, assuming they will avoid the drop without him, as the striker is certain to be off in the summer.
2. Amr Zaki - The attributes are obvious and a drop in form, induced by a period of injuries, will have lowered the price a touch and means a reasonable bid could scrape under the radar.
3. Marcos Senna - The Villarreal and Spain midfielder is available and still has much to offer. The 32-year-old's experience and grit mean there should be no shortage of suitors. Perfect stop gap for Arsenal or Manchester City.
4. Roque Santa Cruz - The ties have been mended in order to pave the way for a transfer to be done without anyone losing face or cash. Man City's interest could force a prohibitive price but he remains a top striker with an average team.
5. Mathew Upson - Over the past few seasons the West Ham defender has confirmed his quality and with West Ham a selling club once again expect him to be in demand. The figures (£15million) maybe highly fanciful but a more measure price should be agreed although he may have to wait for the summer.
Worst buys:
1. Craig Bellamy - Will he never learn, will they never learn. Decent player but by no means special enough to justify the grim excess baggage especially if you are the richest club in the world.
2. Adriano - Problems off hte pitch and poor form on it at Inter Milan mean the Brazilian is available and looking for a move but they also mean he is a gamble of Russian roulette proportions.
3. Joey Barton - Reportedly Tony Adams is willing to give the disgraced Newcastle midfielder a sporting chance at Pompey. If he does, Adams will be stepping into a whole new hell.
4. Emie Heskey - The Wigan striker is the ultimate fashion accessory. Heskey seasonally goes in and out of fashion but the fact remains he is a striker that does not score goals. Sure goals aren't everything but they are definitely something and to have a striker under no obligation to hit the net is ridiculous. Has already proved he cannot cut it at the top.
5. Andrei Arshavin - A strange choice perhaps. But if Arsene Wenger believes the Russian forward can transform Arsenal's season, he is distressingly deluded. A transfer would be an overpriced puchase of a yet to be proven player.
