Yesterday brought the news that Queens Park Rangers have signed Argentinean midfielder Alejandro Faurlin in a deal reportedly worth up to £3.5 million.
The 22-year-old left-footer has put pen to paper on a three year deal at Loftus Road, and admits that he had plenty of other interests from clubs in Spain, Italy and Greece.
I must admit, although I am excited that Briatore has finally managed to part with some serious cash on a new player, I am equally as sceptical about the young Argentinean's prospects for the forthcoming season. After all, it was only this time last year that rangers put a lot of faith in the capabilities of Emmanuel Ledesma, Dani Parejo and Samual Di Carmine, and we are all aware of how these loan signings panned out.
I can't help but get the feeling that rangers' new acquisition could end up following the same path as the abovementioned, and at the far greater cost of £3.5 million. It seems strange to me as to why Jim Magilton would put that amount of pressure on himself so early on. If Faurlin isn't seen to be producing the goods, then inevitably it won't take long before the fans start to question the judgment of our new manager. Although Magilton claims he and assistant manager John Gorman have scouted Faurlin for some time now; one age old question still remains....will he be able to hack the hustle and bustle of a long Championship campaign?
On the plus side, Faurlin is slightly older and more experienced than the likes of Ledesma, Parejo and Di Carmine, which should hopefully mean that rangers are signing a player who is nearer to becoming the finished article. However only time will tell, and in the mean time it will be interesting to get a glimpse of him at Aldershot on Saturday.
In other news, Jim Magilton is reportedly keen on bringing in Manchester United full-back Richard Eckersley on a season long loan deal. The twenty-year-old defender has made two senior appearances for United’s first team, and is seen by the rangers' boss as a player who can help fill the void left by the departure of Damien Delaney.
Hopefully in the time from now until the beginning of the season we will see a few more decent signings coming into the club (strikers please!). I will also be keeping my fingers crossed that key man Akos Buzsaky will not be tempted by apparent overtures from Premiership side Stoke City. Watch this space.