I'm with you wartman on this one ...
It is not 'just' about the ability of a player, it is also about attitude and his effect on the 'dressing-room' ...
Seem to remember Brian Clough signing a player for £1m+ @ Forest, and getting rid of him a few weeks later (for nothing) because of disruption in the 'dressing-room. He later said it was the best bit of business that he ever did.