Fans love new signings. But managers, football directors and chief executives are far more fond of current players signing new contracts.
And that is why, for all the fuss surrounding Manchester City signing Julian Alvarez in this transfer window, the most satisfying moment Txiki Begiristain will have felt is the moment Joao Cancelo put pen to paper on a new five-year deal.
New signings always contain an element of risk. No matter how much due diligence the recruitment team does on a player’s ability, attitude and character, there are always unknowns.
