The current transfer window will no doubt bring about many mega-dollars worth of transactions, as teams look to shore up for the final few months of their seasons.
In other words, this mid-season transfer window will be just like all the others, except now FIFA will be watching.
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Watching for what, you ask? Well the world governing body of football is implementing a Transfer Matching System (TMS) that will keep track of all transactions and ostensibly ensure that that all transfer rules are adhered to.
FIFA's website describes TMS as "an online system that makes international transfers quicker, smoother and, most importantly, more transparent."
Head honcho Sepp Blatter proclaims that TMS will protect the integrity of the transfer process.
"The most important thing is that it increases the transparency of individual transactions and helps us to tackle issues such as the fight against money laundering and the protection of minors in transfers.”
Splendid.
Of course, since Blatter's FIFA struggles to adhere to its own rules, it's tough to see how they will enforce them upon others.
Some are claiming that free-spending clubs will face increased scrutiny with the introduction of TMS. The Guardian suggests that Manchester City will be among the biggest violators of UEFA's financial fair-play rules (limiting spending on players to 70% of turnover), which should be far easier to track with the implementation of the new system.
But if FIFA has proven anything over the past couple of months, it's that no problem cannot be solved by huge amounts of money. Which should suit City and other big spenders just fine.
Can you tell that I'm pessimistic about the whole thing?
Some other transfer talk from around Europe on Thursday:
England
- Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United are interested in Barcelona's Gabriel Milito.
- Tottenham await LA Galaxy's decision on whether to loan David Beckham out.
- Manchester United ponder £14 million offer for Real Madrid's Lassana Diarra.
- Birmingham's attempts to sign Spurs' Robbie Keane still a ways off.
- Wolves in talks with Aston Villa's Steve Sidwell.
- Swansea confirms that they are in talks to acquire West Brom's Luke Moore.
Italy
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Ronaldinho is free to seek a transfer in Brazil, says AC Milan.
- Juventus' move for Edin Dzeko was scuttled by Serie A regulations, according to his agent.
Germany
- Wolfsburg considering Roma striker Mirko Vucinic as a replacement for out-going Edin Dzeko.
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Miroslav Klose is considering a move away from Bayern Munich due to decreased playing time.
- Kaiserslautern is monitoring Dundee United's David Goodwillie.
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Demba Ba accuses Hoffenheim of scuppering his dream West Ham move.