The buying, the selling, the bidding, the negotiating, the race to be first to break the news – the transfer window has become its own industry, separate from events on the football field.
But while they aren’t averse to tantalising their fans with a potential new arrival – Philippe Coutinho’s arrival from Barcelona was anticipated for a number of days before finally being confirmed – Aston Villa are one of the few clubs that remain capable of pulling off high-profile transfers away from prying eyes.
Danny Ings’ signing from Southampton last summer came out of the blue, as did Calum Chambers’ move from Arsenal in January. The defender was on the fringes at the Emirates and admits he knew the time had come, with just six months left on his contract, to find a new challenge. But even he acknowledges the speed at which Villa moved to secure his signature.
