8 Jan 2007(Mon)

January 6, 2007: “What a waste of money!”

Anyone visiting a football ground in England will be familiar with this cry from the stands.

It is used by the fans after an expensive signing of the opposing team makes a terrible error, for example shooting wide from a good position.

On this occasion, though, I am using it in reference to the possible move of Luis Figo from Inter to Al Ittihad of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

I say possible because last week it looked like a done deal, but now Inter are denying Figo is going anywhere until his contract ends in June.

The deal reported would have seen Figo join Ittihad for six months, from January to June, and receive $8 million for his work. In the reports I read last week, and saw on TV, there was no mention of a transfer fee, which, of course, the Saudi club would have to pay as Figo was still under contract with Inter. He would not be a free agent until July.

Anyway, I still feel that $8 million to Figo for six months would be a waste of money. Presumably it would be tax-free, too, so the only party to have any long-term benefit would be Figo himself.

I wrote recently that the J.League needed a bit of star quality, and mentioned the likes of Beckham, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos, but I was thinking more of a couple of seasons, and a more sensible salary.

For Figo? I think he would struggle in Japan. The game is too fast for him and I doubt Figo would have the motivation to start again and make an impression in a new country at the end of his career.

He looked exhausted most of the time at the World Cup in Germany, having come out of international retirement once already, and the long sweltering summer months of July and August would have taken their toll in Japan.

The deal with Ittihad may still come off, but Inter, having seen the amount of money available for Figo, will make sure they get a handsome transfer fee. And why not? They are entitled to it, and what’s another couple of million dollars for the Jeddah club.

You cannot blame Figo for taking such an offer, but I don’t think Ittihad would get anything near good value.

What a waste of money!

ends