Transfer deadline day is always a hectic day in the Premiership calendar. The last minute panic to add reinforcements, the big-money signings and the odd eyebrow-raising transfer becomes the norm as the deadline approaches. Monday was no different to any previous transfer deadline day. That is of course, with the exception of Manchester City.
With the transfer of players expected on deadline day, the transfer of an entire club is completely unprecedented. On Monday morning, Manchester City was a reasonably rich, top ten Premiership club with aspirations of a top six finish. Nobody could have imagined that within a few hours the club would become one of the richest in the world with ambition to match the wealth of its prospective new owners.
Thanks to the £220 million takeover at the hands of the Abu Dhabi United Group for Investment and Development, and after an eternity in the shadow of its superior neighbour, the blue half of Manchester is facing up to the reality of a transfer to the biggest stage in world football and a future alongside the big-boys.
If the audacious bid for Dimitar Berbatov signalled the intent of new owner Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim to compete with their city rivals, the shock signing of Robinho immediately made it clear that Mr Abramovich is no longer the main man in the Premiership money stakes. Since his takeover of the west London club, the thought of Chelsea’s mega-rich Russian owner being outbid in his efforts to sign a player was laughable. Following the outcome of the Robinho transfer saga, for Abramovich, it is no longer a laughing matter.
For Manchester City fans, there are certainly exciting times ahead. With the infrastructure of the club in place, with a promising, young manager at the helm and with owners richer than a Marks and Spencer Double Chocolate Gateaux, Manchester City is no longer just a Premiership club, it is one of the richest, most exciting clubs in the world.
Ryan Ghee
