Preparing to buy in the window should begin months and months before money can legally change hands and the player signed.

Prospects need to be identified and lined up so we are only waiting for the window to open to do business and get in quick before we are in a bidding war for the dregs and the remnants which are left for poor pickings.

We all know, at least most of us do, that Ashley won't sanction early buys to save a few bob on an extra few weeks window wages.

It happens window after window. Last minute panic deals and most of to top available payers on Rafa's wish list are long gone or lost because of Ashley's short arms and long pockets.