Feels like football transfer inflation has gone to another level. Paying around £17million for Fernandez — for a player from a side that finished third in the SPL — rightly raises eyebrows. I get the market moves, but it still feels like paying over the odds for what looks, at first glance, like a fairly ordinary name.
Where the value is supposed to come from
We all remember defenders who made the step up and looked like the real deal — Cuellar, Boumsong, Bougherra, Amoruso, Gough. Those were signings that changed things. Fernandez, as useful as he might be, doesn't exactly sit next to those names in most people's minds. That doesn't mean he's bad. It does mean you have to ask whether the fee matches the impact you're expecting.
Five solid players or one headline name?
This is the heart of it for me. Rommens reportedly cost £3-4m. Naderi was about £4.5m and some fans thought that was steep. So would we rather spend a chunky sum on one big-name centre-back or spread that money across several dependable players? Personally, I would take five or six Rommens types over one expensive signing who might not move the needle enough.
If it happens, fair play — but it still feels mad
If Forest are willing to hand over £25m for Engels then fine — the market is the market. I'm not saying it's impossible. I'm saying it's strange to see such big fees for players from teams that finished limp third in the SPL. You can replace players — we replaced Raskin, other teams replace players — but you still want value for money. At the end of the day I'd be delighted if we got a top signing. I just won't pretend the price tags don't make me uneasy.
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