I have watched and read with interest the stories produced by so called journalists in the last few days, particularly around Gyan, and Walton's comments sum up the problems created by the media frenzy. Sunderland have been linked with some 40 players this summer .... most of which will never develop into anything but filled column inches for lazy journalists. Comment: While Sunderlandâs involvement in the United trio has been public knowledge since appearing in the media in the wake of Jordan Hendersonâs transfer to Liverpool last month, Black Cats chief executive Steve Walton yesterday explained how the change of pace and demand from the media makes a transfer deal seem more protracted than it actually is. Walton, who used to work for Barclays as director of football, said: "One of the real challenges of buying footballers is the fact it's so high profile. "When you are doing these transactions, it's very often in the public domain and sometimes it's in the interests of one or more of the parties involved to let things slip in the press. "Quite often, you do get things in the press which are there simply to create a market. Agents in particular will be looking to create some interest and it gets played out in the media far more. It seems to be an increasing trend. "For me, I've been involved in the acquisition of players â firstly as a banker and now in the football club â for years but it really doesn't take any longer to do the transaction. "Most of them just get in the media a lot earlier so I think there's a perception out there that it takes ages. The reality is, it doesn't take any longer than it used to do. It largely gets leaked because someone has a vested interest, even someone not involved in the transaction. "There's a ferocious appetite for copy by the newspapers for an industry where businesses don't even register as the biggest in their respective cities." As for Gyan's agent, he needs a good slapping!
unfortunately agents dont make enough money for themselves when their players dont move and they aren't bothered about slipping comments to the lazy hacks to stir things up a bit. the only person i hate more than players agents is harry redknapp who's gob never stops and wont be satisfied until you type "harry" into goggle and he comes up before harry potter
