Just as newspaper adverts in December tell the world that there only 12 shopping days left to Christmas, football agents start to sweat a little more when there are 12 shopping days left to the end of the transfer window. After a summer of telling one of the journeymen on their books that they are easily worth £10,000 per week if Yaya Toure can earn a basic wage of £185,000 per week, our friendly agents now have to start talking fast and lopping off the odd zero as they try to persuade Preston North End that the ex-Bulgarian international on their books is fantastic value at £5,000 per week plus a few negotiable add-ons for appearances, promotion and sales of Bulgarian wine. Limp assurances follow indicating that both the one goal in 23 appearances as a striker for Chesterfield and a string of injuries in recent years are not a fair reflection of the player whose forename and surname both end in V. "OK, he’ll accept £1,000 as long as there is a signing fee of £50".

Football agents have a tough life. The time taken to read the 37-page FA guidelines must mean that they have a tough schedule. Even the first clause must keep them scratching their heads for one morning - A Player or Club must not at any time use the services of, or seek to use the services of, pay, or seek to pay, either directly or indirectly, an Unauthorised Agent in relation to any Agency Activity.

So, ignore the big money last minute deals. Take a look at what goes on a division or two down. Or, go to your local cattle market for the day.