The stars who have failed to live up to their transfer fees

As the folks who ploughed their cash into the Sega Saturn, Minidiscs and HD-DVDs will testify, sometimes smart investments don’t quite work out. With this in mind, Spoiler correspondent Joe Thompson has compiled a list of ten Premier League players who have failed to deliver on the financial commitment their respective clubs made to bring them in…

Andriy Shevchenko
(Chelsea, £31m)
When Chelsea signed ‘Sheva’ in 2006 on a four year deal, it was for a club record fee - but this was a record breaking player. He’d won everything with Milan, bagged the Ballon d’Or and had twice been top scorer in Serie A. Since his move to West London, however, he’s managed 20 goals in 83 appearances, and a season shipped out on loan back to his beloved Milan. Did he rediscover his form there? Did he f**k. He’ll be 33 next month as a once-great career slides away. Abramovich’s ultimate vanity signing has been his worst.

Kolo Toure
(Manchester City, £14m)
While part of the 2003/04 title-winning ‘invincibles’, he could have been in the Best Value top ten. One of Wenger’s best buys for £150,000, he was immense. The past couple of seasons though, Toure and Arsenal have struggled with consistency, with the team’s spine being called into question. Unlike Chelsea with Shevchenko, The Citizens have bought a player who has already lost his form.

Zat Knight
(Bolton, £5m)
You’ve got to feel for Bolton fans.

The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

If West Ham get their way, this young chap will fill the angry, hate-filled void left by Craig Bellamy. More on that later - here’s the rest of the movers and shakers in Transferland today…

Jimmy Bullard to Hull
After reported interest from Arsenal, Bolton, Middlesbrough and Sunderland, Sky Sports claim Hull have agreed a £5m fee with Fulham, and the Tigers now face the task of persuading the London lad to move to Yorkshire.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Fulham didn’t try very hard to keep their best player, did they?

Emile Heskey to Aston Villa
It looked like Emile William Ivanhoe Heskeywas all set to join former club Liverpool, but Villa believe they have secured the services of the proven Premier League hitman

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Rafa has said he is not interested in parting with big money (£4m-ish) for Heskey, so it looks like Villa’s £3.5m bid may have sealed it.

Miguel Veloso to Manchester City
Sporting’s 22-year-old midfielder