No sales splurge by prudent top three

MANAGERS heading for football’s January sales look like they’ll be buying in the High Street rather than Bond Street.

Experts predict that spending will be down on last January’s total of around £60million and could even drop towards the 2003 level of £40 million.

In the last January transfer window Chelsea and Manchester United pumped nearly £23 million into other Premiership clubs by buying Scott Parker and Louis Saha, but this year they claim they won’t spend a thing. With Arsenal staying cautious and looking abroad, few others can afford players at the top end of the price range.