COLUMN: Sky Sports' obsession with transfer deadline day is fast becoming a turn-off

Jordan Rhodes was one of the main movers in the latest transfer window.

There were no stand-out big-money deals such as those of Andy Carroll and Fernando Torres in years gone by.

Nor was there was the moving of players from one big club to another, like Juan Mata’s transfer from Chelsea to Manchester United a couple of years ago.

Even last year’s offering of Cuadrado and Bony to Chelsea and Manchester City respectively offered a little more spice than this year’s paltry serving of deals.

Charlie Austin left QPR for Southampton.

In fact, the biggest piece of news to break on February 1 was undoubtedly Pep Guardiola’s impending move to Manchester City in the summer.

It was certainly the saving grace on an occasion that is steadily getting tiresome.

This was about as dull a window as you’ll get, never mind the last day of it.

The odd England contender swapped clubs, most notably Jonjo Shelvey heading for Newcastle and Charlie Austin leaving the Championship and QPR behind to begin a new adventure at Southampton.

But other than that it was a hugely low-key affair for all 32 days of it.

There were some deals that raised eyebrows, such as Middlesborough signing the prolific Blackburn hitman Jordan Rhodes.

Quite how the Scotland international hasn’t attracted a punt from a Premier League club in the past few years is even more eyebrow-raising than the £13m Boro reportedly stumped up to sign him.

Elsewhere, other Championship clubs flexed their financial muscles with Sheffield Wednesday, Burnley, Derby and Wolves all shelling out millions of pounds in their quest to reach the top flight.

Perhaps one positive of the growing trend in dull windows is that more top-flight clubs, usually referred to as “smaller” clubs, are now able to keep hold of their star assets.

Everton showed it with John Stones and Leicester did the same with Jamie Vardy.

The riches on offer next season in the Premier League, thanks to the new incoming TV deal, means it is more lucrative than ever before.

The impact of falling out of the league will hit clubs harder than in the past and the thirst for top-flight football will surely intensify.

That can only be a good thing for viewers of the beautiful game with regards to matters on the pitch.

But the days of incessantly watching deadline day unfold may soon become a thing of the past.