Transfer fever

I write regarding a recent feature article which stated that the most expensive Englishman in football is Alan Shearer (see [2001] Gazette, 29 March, 26).Rio Ferdinand was transferred from West Ham to Leeds towards the end of last year for 18 million.

This made him both the most expensive footballing Englishman and the most expensive defender in the world.

Though the specific point may seem trifling, the fact that such a significant amount of money was spent when many considered that the transfer system was hanging in the balance shows that, for large clubs competing on a European stage, commercial (and, it is to be hoped, footballing) considerations will always come before legal and political ones.Neil Brand, solicitor, London