With the January transfer window in full swing, we are all waiting for the big business. This often doesn’t occur until deadline day so there may be a few surprises yet. The January window is the second major transfer window in the English football calendar. It takes place mid-season and is open through the month of January.

There is often controversy surrounding the transfer window. Many see it as a negative and feel it should be removed. It can see many of the smaller clubs lose their major assets to bigger clubs at a critical time.

There is a lot of media coverage surrounding the window. The activity that takes place is followed closely. Sites like TransferRumours.co.uk provide up to date coverage of transfer activity taking place as it happens.

Depending upon the club you support you might have your views on the January transfer window. Many clubs view it as an important safety net to strengthen for the second half of the season. Or to cover a chronic injury list. But many clubs and their fans, dread the window and try to get through it with their squads intact.

1. Inflated Prices

One of the major problems of the January transfer window is the inflated prices of players. Clubs don’t want to sell any of their players midway through the season. As such elevated prices show their reluctance to part with prized assets. Many clubs also feel that they may need to bring in a replacement if they do sell. By pricing their players higher, they ensure they can replace them with high-quality players.

Another reason teams could end up paying over the odds in January is that clubs know if your team is struggling. For example, this season Liverpool have struggled to score goals. Everybody knows they need a striker. So any club they approach about a striker in January is going to inflate their prices.

Teams could be forced to pay well over the odds for players in the transfer window. They may not have any other choice.

2. Panic Buys

Another related problem in the January window is that it increases the likelihood of panic buys. All teams will have bad patches over the course of the season.  If a team starts to experience a bad run of form around Christmas, it could lead to panic buying.

The problem with panic buying is that it often leads to spending over the odds. It also leads to clubs buying players they may not actually need. Panic buys are most often found in the January transfer window. Sometimes they’re even made on transfer deadline day.

Clubs that are struggling or face the threat of relegation going into January might be tempted to panic. They could end up shelling out money that they don’t need to.

3. Disrupts Squad

Another of the downsides of the January transfer window is that it can disrupt squads. You may have a perfect balance in your teams squad. That perfect balance of youth, experience and flair. The team has a solid spine and is playing well. You’d rather wait until the summer window to do any deal.
But perhaps they’ve hit a mini-slump recently. Or maybe there’s been an injury. Perhaps all the other teams around them are strengthening. Whatever the reason your team decides to do some business in January. All it takes is the introduction of one maverick player, like Mario Balotelli, to disrupt squad harmony.