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With the transfer window slowly inching shut, managers are fighting each other for last-minute bargains like desperate shoppers at the January sales. The Life’s a Pitch team weighs up a pair of potential moves and one deal that has since been signed and sealed. First-team opportunities have been scarcer than sunny days in Manchester for winger Adam Johnson – could he find a more appreciative home at Everton? After just half a season at St Etienne, has Kurt Zouma done enough to earn a big-money move to QPR? Plus, the team discusses the virtues of Vurnon Anita, who has completed a £6.5m move from Ajax to Newcastle.

“I think there are other priorities for Manchester City to sell this summer,” says the Sunday Telegraph’s Duncan White of reports that Johnson is about to pack his bags for Goodison Park. “I don’t think they’ll be looking to offload Adam Johnson. He’s got a lot of talent, I think he can develop and kick on, and I don’t see Everton, even with the Jack Rodwell money, having the financial power to make an offer that’s really going to tempt City. So, no, I think that’s only a one out of 10.”

Footballer-turned-journalist Adrian Clarke is similarly sceptical about QPR’s rumoured £7.5m move for teenage French defender Kurt Zouma. “That’s a staggering amount of money for a 17-year-old centre-back who’s had half a season at St Etienne,” says Clarke. “He did well last year, by all accounts. He’s physically strong, powerful, athletic, all of the attributes you’d expect from a good, young centre-back. But he’s raw and he’s a work in progress. I’m told that City and United are monitoring his progress, so perhaps it would be in the player’s best interests to hold fire and maybe get more experience in French football before he makes the leap. I can’t see QPR playing a 17-year-old rookie centre-back this season, it just doesn’t make any sense to me, so I’ll only give this one a four [out of 10].”

Finally, here is one transfer story that’s gone from rumour to hard fact, as Newcastle have confirmed the signing of versatile Ajax player Vurnon Anita. “Yet another intelligent signing from Newcastle,” says the Times’ Rory Smith. “He can play at left-back or in central midfield and he’s technically excellent, as you’d expect from an Ajax player. He’s quite experienced given that he’s only 23, so yeah, a great signing.”

Watch the full video discussion, recorded before Vurnon Anita’s move to Newcastle, by clicking on the play button in the image above. 

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