Roll up, roll up, for the Sale of the Century

Tuesday sees the opening of the January transfer window, the only time between now and the summer where clubs can sign players on permanent deals (apart from free agents of course).

Historically not a lot has really happened in this time. You tend to get the odd big-money move but usually gossip and speculation far exceeds reality.

Saying that though there are some relatively big names in the Premier League who could be on the move.

Nicolas Anelka will almost certainly find himself with a new club before 1st February. Chelsea, Manchester United and AC Milan have all been linked with ‘Le Sulk’, and personally I think he’ll end up in London filling in for Didier Drogba at the Bridge.

Across the capital Jens Lehmann could also find himself in new employment. Wolfsburg are the latest club to be linked so look out for him in the Bundesliga before too long, especially as Arsenal have effectively now opened the door for him to leave.

If Lehmann exits Arsenal it leaves a nice big space in the squad for a new keeper. Celtic’s Artur Boruc is the smart money to fill it, but I’d not be too surprised (and also quite pleased if truth be told) to see former Canary Robert Green in the Gunner’s goal either.

Closer to home and it’s a completely different situation. With City still in the mire it’ll be just as interesting to see who leaves Colney via the back door than who walks in through the front.

Paul Gallagher (currently on loan at Dunfermline) has made no secret of his desire to stay in Scotland.

Julien Brellier has apparently been spotted in Scotland recently, rumours that he too could be moving back to whence he came.

Simon Lappin and Ian Murray (who himself feels his days are numbered) have also been linked with moves north of the border, but I can’t see clubs paying much for them.

And what about Ryan Jarvis? And David Strihavka?

The four loan signings are all likely to extend their stay in Norfolk. Matty Pattison looks the most likely to sign a permanent deal you would think, with Mo Camara, Jimmy Smith and Ched Evans staying on loan until the end of the season.

And then there’s Martin Taylor. The whole “will he, won’t he?” debate has more than a little of the Huckerby about it. Birmingham have said he can go, but QPR are the only club that have had an offer accepted - only according to Norwich he doesn’t want to go QPR and we won’t be increasing our offer.

It’s a mess. A big, nasty mess. For what it’s worth I still think he’ll roll into Carrow Road, but it’ll go down to the wire.

And I see we’ve also been linked with Callum Davenport again. One thing’s for sure - it’s going to be an interesting month.

OTBC.

Somebody Save This Man From Himself

Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has been charged with assault. Again.

This is the same Joey Barton who, at the 2004 Manchester City Christmas party, stubbed out a lit cigar in team-mate Jamie Tandy’s eye.

The same Joey Barton who in the summer of 2005 was sent home from Manchester City’s tour of Thailand for allegedly assaulting a 15 year old Everton fan who had provoked him by verbally abusing him and kicking his shin.

The same Joey Barton who bared his backside to Everton fans after an injury time equaliser in a game at Goodison Park in September 2006.

The same Joey Barton who, when called into the England squad for the first time in February 2007, publicly criticised members of the squad who had released books following the 2006 World Cup with the priceless quote:

“England did nothing in that World Cup, so why were they bringing books out? ‘We got beat in the quarter-finals. I played like sh*t. Here’s my book.’ Who wants to read that?”

The same Joey Barton who in May 2007 was suspended by City for allegedly assaulting team-mate Ousmane Dabo, causing injuries including a detached retina (that one was bailed until the summer by the way).

The same Joey Barton who did this to Dickson Etuhu in the Tyne/Wear derby.

The same Joey Barton who, at the start of December declared the Newcastle fans “vicious”, and questioned their support.

So to those footballers who feel they need more protection from “dangerous” supporters, I have an idea. Just employ Barton as a bodyguard. I’ve got a feeling he’s going to have a fair amount of spare time on his hands in the not-too distant future.