Just before the big kick-off, the big fees

The Independent’s football newsletter [SUBSCRIBE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( August 11, 2023 [View in browser](   [The Independent]( [The Independent]( Just before the big kick-off, the big fees The Premier League's return blows open the market On the eve of the new Premier League season, [most of the focus was what many in football media now quip is "the real business".]( That is the actual business of transfers, which sometimes feel as if they generate more attention than the actual football. It suddenly became utterly frenetic, even a club as considered as Liverpool going huge on Moises Caeicedo. There's an obvious connection at this point in terms of how it has all accelerated, as managers now want their teams sorted for the start of the season. It also shows how misplaced the idea of just closing the window before the season started was, since there will be distraction anyway, and many clubs will want to fix any issues that become apparent in the first few games. The arrival of actual football has forced a release in the market, as clubs can no longer afford to wait in the way they were doing after the effect of the Saudi Pro League and the striker carousel. [The best example of this is the Harry Kane situation](, since both the player and Bayern Munich wanted it sorted before this weekend so they could concentrate on the football. That is emphasises by how much was weighing on the minds of those involved... Late drama in a move that has become about timing If the news that Tottenham Hotspur had accepted Bayern's offer wasn't enough drama, there was then genuine tension after that. A huge number of sources insisted that, even though the principles had all been agreed on the player's side, Kane genuinely hadn't completely made his mind up. He had been considering staying at Spurs, if only to give himself much more freedom next summer by getting to choose where he wants to go. One theory had been that, while Bayern was always attractive, part of it was trying to flush out interest from Manchester United. The Old Trafford club would love to sign him. As has been repeatedly mentioned in this newsletter, though, they just certainly did not love the idea of a long drawn-out negotiation with Daniel Levy. This is why they haven't ultimately moved. And, having weighed all of that up, Kane is now willing to make the move. A lot of paperwork still has to be sorted over Friday evening, though. As one source put it, "this isn't a normal sale - it is the biggest transfer in Tottenham's history". A statement move from Liverpool or revealing a change in strategy As that was happening, [Liverpool were busy trying to sort the biggest signing in the Premier League history](. This was one that genuinely came out of almost nowhere since the Anfield club had been reluctant to go to the £50m Southampton wanted for Romeo Lavia, while creating another subplot ahead of the trip to Chelsea on Sunday. They could both get the midfielder the other club initially wanted. That is what makes the scale of the Liverpool fee all the more surprising, as not even Chelsea would go to what Brighton wanted. It feels a further deviation from the Liverpool policy of the last few years, including this summer. [Alexis Mac Allister]( and Dominik Szoboszlai felt like classic Jurgen Klopp signings given the relatively modest fees in this market. Of course, one obvious response to that is the figures paid for both Alisson and Virgil van Dijk. But that was always part of the strategy. Being willing to pay big for transformative players was fundamental. Was Caicedo fundamental? The fact he wasn't really considered a few weeks ago, and that [Liverpool were looking to Lavia as an alternative option](, would indicate otherwise. Some in the industry believed it betrayed some "desperation". The truth, as ever, will be what happens on the pitch. Maguire accepts reality as Balogun looks to foreign move In terms of other business, both Manchester United and Arsenal are dependent on sales, which is why they could finally be moving in the next week. [Harry Maguire's move to West Ham United]( has happened because Erik ten Hag has made it abundantly clear he won't be considered. The centre-half had wanted to prove himself but has gradually accepted reality. United will now move for Sofyan Amrabat and, if there are more sales, one of Benjamin Pavard or Jean-Clair Todibo. Arsenal are meanwhile aiming to get an increasingly rare number-six once Folarin Balogun goes. West Ham United have also made a move for the striker, but he apparently wants to leave the Premier League. France is especially alluring after his time at Reims, and there is strong interest from Italy. Roma, the two Milan clubs, Olympique Marseille and Monaco are all looking, although it is the latter that currently look the most likely. Balogun's main preference had England prepare for another long evening The England squad were settling down to a relaxing evening on Thursday when the news came through that[Lauren James' tournament was not, theoretically, over](. She has been given just a two-game ban, which means she would make the final if England get there. It was a welcome surprise, as there was absolutely no expectation - or information - the decision would come at that time. It did feel into a sense this Women's World Cup is starting to settle down after the chaos of the opening rounds. England and Australia will certainly be hoping that. If all goes as expected, both should get through to the semi-finals, but not without considerable difficulty. [England have been working on preparing for another slog of a game against a burgeoning Colombia side](. It has meant attempting to strike a balance between a defence that, reassuringly, barely concedes but an attack that isn't creating enough chances. This has been a growing issue for England, with so many attackers off form. The hope right now is that getting past Nigeria represented something of a psychological threshold for everyone. [Could it see release? James will certainly be hoping that.](   Top stories [Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich move in doubt after Tottenham last-minute U-turn]( [Bethany England reveals ‘biggest danger’ facing Lionesses against Colombia](     Miguel's Dispatches Given the intention of this part of the newsletter, there is really only one thing to say about a week in Australia for the [Women’s World Cup](. The hosts have proven brilliant. Australia and New Zealand have been almost perfect for such a tournament - and would clearly be well able for the grander scale of a men’s World Cup - given the immense quality of the sporting infrastructure. One of the most notable elements of being in Australia has also been how fervently the home crowd have gone for the team’s run to the quarter-finals so far. You see it everywhere, literally. Even though this is a key point in the domestic sporting season, the Women’s World Cup team lead all news, and are energising every city. You could certainly feel it in Brisbane as I walked back from Suncorp Stadium following England’s tense elimination of Nigeria. Everywhere was packed. We say almost, though, because of one caveat. One of the great joys of covering a tournament is being able to quickly hop from one venue to another but the only way you can do that in Australia and New Zealand is by flying. The distances are too great. As football’s carbon footprint becomes a bigger issue for federations, the wonder is whether this will count against it in future. Many within the game think it will become a huge issue after the 2026 World Cup. In terms of this everything else around this tournament right now, though, it has been close to perfect.       QUOTE OF THE WEEK "Obviously English football has more of the core ingredients. A rich history and tradition of 150 years. The fact that you’ve got a football club in virtually every community, many of which are professional." Premier League chief executive Richard Masters dismisses the threat of the Saudi Pro League   Reading the game quiz Reading the game quiz Since 1992, 10 players have scored hat-tricks on the Premier League’s opening weekend. Name the players and, for a bonus, the games they got them in. ([You can find out the answers here](. 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