Get it right before it’s too late

DAR ES SALAAM: WITH only 24 hours left before the transfer window closes, clubs must make good use of every remaining minute to fix their squads, strengthen weak areas and give themselves the best possible chance of achieving their targets this season. There is no room for hesitation now.

Every club knows what it needs. Some need goals, others need defensive strength, while some need depth to cope with injuries, suspensions and the demands of a long season. Whatever the need, this is the final opportunity to address it before the window closes.

Failure to build a strong enough squad now could come back to haunt clubs later in the season. If the wrong decisions are made or key deals fall through, clubs may have to wait until the transfer window reopens at the end of the year to address their shortcomings.

That is a long time to live with a mistake, making it crucial that clubs get their recruitment decisions right now. Clubs must also understand that a transfer is not complete simply because there has been an agreement between two parties.

A successful transfer requires all the relevant parties, including the player, to agree to the terms and complete the necessary formalities. Leaving one party out of the discussion can create problems. It can even open the door for another club to step in and hijack a deal that appeared almost certain to go through. An agreement is one thing. Making sure the interests of both sides are properly considered is another.

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Clubs and players must be honest about what they want from the deal. If one side feels that its demands have been ignored or its interests have not been protected, the agreement can quickly fall apart. That is when another club can move in and take advantage of the uncertainty.

For that reason, club management must remain focused until the very end. There should be no assumption that a deal is safe simply because the player has agreed to join or the clubs have reached an understanding. Even if both sides have agreed to a deal, it isn’t final until the money has been paid, the necessary paperwork has been signed and all official procedures have been completed.

This is where clubs must show seriousness and professionalism. Do not celebrate a transfer before it is completed. Do not relax because an agreement has been reached. Finish the job. The remaining 24 hours are not just about signing players. They are about making the right decisions, closing the right deals and avoiding costly mistakes. Mainland Premier League clubs have little time left.

They must use it wisely. Because once the window shuts, there will be no quick fixes. The consequences of today’s decisions could shape the entire season.