Ridiculous transfer fees in football

I remember a time when when football was much simpler. As a young kid, the only reason I looked forward to the weekend was to watch as many games as possible. Transfer windows were also eagerly anticipated. I would follow all the rumors in the hope that my team would sign someone special who would give us an edge. As a Manchester United supporter, we naturally had the edge with the class of 92 and the financial supremacy in the Premier League but the onus was on us to stay at the top and add quality to the squad where needed.

When Cristiano Ronaldo was signed for £12.5 million, many skeptics and pundits were quick to point out that the high fee paid for a teenager was over-the-top. I no longer look forward to transfer windows. When Everton spend £30 million on a young keeper from a side that has just been relegated, and the world's young talent are being valued at upwards of £50 million, you begin to question where this is all headed. How can this be good for the game? We are talking astronomical sums of money!

I see many clubs with once-prestigious names and an envious history become focused on developing and selling players for profit. These "feeder clubs" have lost their identity and have created inflated prices that can only mean one thing. The big clubs pay huge sums of money to guarantee success while everyone else auctions off their talent. Its a shame.