Last minute shopping: Rooney, Berbatov, Bellamy, Benayoun and more frantic buys
Christmas Eve is the day when millions of men around the UK dash around in a mad panic, desperately trying to buy the right thing before the shop doors slam shut. Last minute festive shopping is fraught with anxiety, but just over a month later those same men will be tuning into talkSPORT eagerly anticipating another bout of panic purchasing, as football's transfer window closes.
In many ways, Transfer Deadline Day is the modern football fan's Christmas Day and we'll soon be counting the days until it is upon us once more. To whet your appetite, here are 10 of the best last minute buys from Transfer Deadline Day…
1) ROBINHO TO MAN CITY, 31 AUGUST 2008
Wealthy Chelsea wanted Real Madrid's star, but in an incredible twist Manchester City's takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group went through and, just hours later, they demonstrated their intent by splashing £32.5m on the Brazillian.
2) Dimitar Berbatov TO MAN UNITED, 31 AUGUST 2008
While City were busy making themselves noisy neighbours, across town United pounced late on the same Transfer Deadline Day with the £30.75 million signing of Tottenham's star striker. Berbatov may not have been Fergie's best ever signing, but his Golden Boot-winning displays last season helped seal a record 19th title for the club.
3) Wayne Rooney TO MAN UNITED, 31 AUGUST 2004
People often associate last-minute buys with impulse decisions, but Sir Alex knew exactly what he was doing when he signed Rooney for £24m, aged just 18, in 2004.
4) Craig Bellamy TO Liverpool, 31 AUGUST 2011
Riding high in this list is the Welshman, purely because of the fact this transfer was completed FIFTEEN minutes before the closing of the transfer deadline! The City striker made his second move to Liverpool on a free transfer.
5) Ashley Cole TO CHELSEA, 31 AUGUST 2006
This £5million transfer from Arsenal to Chelsea was a rather scandalous move, given how Cole was left “trembling with anger” after being offered £55,000-per-week from his former club, then met up with Chelsea officials in secret to negotiate the move, as William Gallas headed in the opposite direction. The £90,000 he did go on to earn with Chelsea earned him the rather unfortunate moniker, 'Cashley'.
6) Yossi Benayoun TO ARSENAL, 31 AUGUST 2011
Despite the Israeli claiming he wasn't a part of a last-minute trolley dash for Wenger's Arsenal and rumours circulating that he was set to return to his old club, Liverpool, Benayoun was a surprise loan signing by the Frenchman, joining from London rivals Chelsea.
7) Peter Crouch TO STOKE, 31 AUGUST 2011
Lanky £10 million man Crouch's move to Stoke from Spurs was actually completed a whole HOUR after the transfer window had closed, but went through in time to be ratified by the FA. On the same day the Potters also signed Wilson Palcios and Cameron Jerome, making it a busy time for Tony Pulis and the Britannia Stadium fax machine.
8) CARLOS TEVEZ TO MAN UNITED, 31 AUGUST 2007
Having witnessed Tevez save the Hammers single-handedly from relegation against the Red Devils on the final day of the previous season, Ferguson swooped to sign the Argentinian on loan and United duly won the Champions League and Premier League double.
9) Owen Hargreaves TO MAN CITY, 31 AUGUST 2011
It was claimed by leading surgeon Richard Steadman that Hargreaves' now-recuperated knee could withstand "jumping from the Eiffel Tower", but it still came as a shock when the out-of-contract former United star went from a prospective move to West Bromwich Albion to signing for title-challenging Man City.
10) Shaun Wright-phillips TO QPR, 31 AUGUST 2011
With just 26 minutes remaining on the clock before transfer window closed, Wright-Phillips sealed his return to West London, having made the £4 million move to QPR from City. The former Chelsea player went on to star for Rangers in their 1-0 defeat of the Blues in October 2011.
Words by Andrew Watson