The inception of the transfer window, which gave birth to Transfer Deadline Day has, for better or worse, lead to clubs scrambling for players before the draught is shut.
Implemented in 2002/03, it has seen Jim White emerge as the bête noire of football supporters due to his penchant for sensationalising someone getting into a car. Sky Sports News has consequently become a turn-off on the day, but like Big Brother in its heyday we watch it even though we know it is wrong.
And it is via channel 405 (for Sky customers) where we have watched on, amazed, that West Ham United somehow bought two of the finest Argentinian footballers in 2006 and that Liverpool really did fork out £35m for Andy Carroll.
So, ahead of the madness, here's 12 memorable deadline day swoops in English football...
Transfer Deadline Day Swoops
2003(01 of12)
Open Image ModalRoman Abramovich landed on the Stamford Bridge turf in 2003. And ending manager Claudio Ranieri's £111m spending spree was "the battery in my watch" Claude Makelele for £16m.
2004(02 of12)
Open Image ModalNewcastle United bid £20m for Wayne Rooney, but that only compelled Manchester United to act. Six days later, he was a United player for an initial fee of £24m.
2006(03 of12)
Open Image Modal"I heard my agent repeat the figure of £55,000 [per week], I nearly swerved off the road." The words of Ashley Cole, disheartened by Arsenal's paltry contract offer of £2.86m a year. In 2005 Chelsea, Jose Mourinho and Ashley Cole had been fined after being found guilty in the Premier League's tapping-up probe. In 2006, they were together.
2006(04 of12)
Open Image ModalAnd William Gallas headed in the opposite direction to Arsenal. Chelsea said they sold him because he threatened to score an own goal if he was selected.
2006(05 of12)
Open Image ModalMore shocking than the finale to The Usual Suspects, West Ham United somehow signed Carlos Tévez and Javier Mascherano, two pivotal players for the Argentinian national side and expected to move to, with all due respect to the Hammers, a big club in Europe.Something was afoot. And that something was revealed the following year whenthe club was found guilty of acting improperly and withholding vital documentation over the duo's ownership. West Ham were fined £5m but were not docked points, as they staved off relegation largely thanks to... Tévez.
2008(06 of12)
Open Image ModalEverton rarely spend big but they rebelled against the financiers and snapped up Marouane Fellaini for £15m from Standard Liege four years ago. Worth every penny.
2008(07 of12)
Open Image Modal"One look at City and he said f**k off," goes the chant, after Dimitar Berbatov said he had no interest in joining the Blues on transfer deadline day. So instead...
2008(08 of12)
Open Image ModalThe newly-affluent City spent £32m on Robinho as a sampler of what was to come under the Abu Dhabi United Group
2009(09 of12)
Open Image ModalArguably the signing which excited Arsenal fans most since Sol Campbell joined nearly eight years earlier, Arshavin could have mistaken London for Russia, having landed in England following a recent dump of snow. A £15m winter window signing, he would go on to score five goals at Anfield in the calendar year alone.
2010(10 of12)
Open Image Modal"I'm not a f***ing wheeler dealer," Harry Redknapp told Sky Sports' Rob Palmer on 28 August. Three days later, he signed Rafael van der Vaart for £8m with minutes to go until the deadline ended.
2011(11 of12)
Open Image ModalA sign of things to come during Kenny Dalglish's 18 months back as Liverpool manager. Firstly he nabs Luis Suárez for £22m from Ajax before paying Newcastle United £35m for Andy Carroll with the money from...
2011(12 of12)
Open Image ModalThe £50m sale of Fernando Torres to Chelsea.