After all the newspaper talk leading up to the January transfer window, you might expect it to open with a bang and a flurry of moves.

Instead it always seems to open with a whimper and only a few minor deals going through.

If clubs are so keen for players, why don’t they fix up moves in December which go through as soon as the window opens?

David Beckham’s loan from Los Angeles Galaxy to AC Milan was agreed months in advance as was Manchester United’s purchase of Partizan Belgrade duo Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic. Klaas Jan Huntelaar also joined Real Madrid from Ajax early.

The main reason this doesn’t happen often is that the selling club wants to hang on until January 31, hoping the buying club’s desperation will up the price.

The credit crunch and the falling British pound are other factors in the limp start to the transfer window while the fact the German and Italian leagues are still on holiday also slows things up.

Trying to get an Italian club director away from his Christmas panettone and New Year’s Eve prosecco is harder than agreeing terms with any prima donna footballer.

PHOTO: New Manchester United winger Zoran Tosic in action for Partizan Belgrade. Nov. 12, 2008. REUTERS/Ivan Milutinovic