Big four may be thrifty in January

THE January sales are set to kick in — the multi-million euro shop and swap extravaganza that is football’s winter transfer window.

And while the Premier League’s relegation roulette will ensure massive January spending, the Big Four may be more thrifty — save for Chelsea’s likely move on the much-travelled Nicolas Anelka.

Several clubs are keen on £8m rated Luka Modric from Dinamo Zagreb, while despite yesterday’s appeals from his Arsenal manager Jens Lehmann, the German keeper seems certain to return to the motherland next month.

Peter Crouch is much coveted, as is Rangers defender Alan Hutton — though his Gers colleague David Weir reckons he should bid his time.

Although £8million has been touted as the asking price for the highly-rated full-back, Weir believes Rangers would be unwilling to part with their prize asset just yet.

He added: “I can’t imagine Rangers are in a rush to sell their best players, I don’t think that’s conducive to winning the league which is everybody’s goal.

“Time will tell on that one.”