Here are three examples of what I define as 'Transfer Maniacs'.

Chelsea
Last October, Claudio Pizarro flew from Munich to Lima to join his Peruvian colleagues for a friendly international, with the approval of his bosses at Bayern Munich. But neither manager Felix Magath, nor the club's general director Karl Heinz Rummenige, could have envisaged the rest of the trip, or script. Pizarro decided to extend his stay in South America beyond the agreed dates. He chose not to inform anybody about his self-made longer sojourn with his family and friends in Peru.

When he finally returned to Germany – almost a week beyond schedule – he was of course reprimanded and disciplined by the (then) German champions. His reaction? A press statement declaring that he no longer wants to play for Bayern.

The truth was different: Bayern did not want Pizarro. The decision to get rid of him – not to extend his contract – was taken even before the Lima breach of faith. Not only did Pizarro adopt a George Best lifestyle in his last season in Bavaria, he also stopped delivering the goods on the pitch. In the first half of the season he scored six goals in 16 games – but after his return from Peru his total return in front of goal was a miserly two goals in 18 appearances.

So what we have here is an oldish (29) indisciplined, troublemaking dwindling striker, who has just been signed by Chelsea. Can anyone see the logic of this, or has Jose Mourinho lost the plot and decided to plant an enfant terrible within his dressing room?

Newcastle United
Joey Barton smashed his teammate Ousmane Dabo's face and and almost broke his jaw. Dabo was treated in hospital for severe facial injuries including a detached retina. The Manchester City captain (sic) attacked his French colleague in training. City did the right thing by imposing an immediate ban on Barton, who was told he had no future at the club. Dabo did the right thing by suing the thug in the civil courts.

This is the same Barton who poked a cigar in junior player James Tandy's eye during a Christmas party. This is the same bully who was sent home from a Thailand trip with City after becoming involved in a fight with a supporter. This is the same maniac who was arrested on suspicion of criminal assault and criminal damage after an alleged argument with a taxi driver in Liverpool, while going to his hotel after a match last March.

Two weeks ago Barton was arrested and questioned by Greater Manchester Police for the third time following the Dabo attack; he has been bailed until July. In all likelihood, the police will press criminal charges against him. And this Joey Barton, we now hear, is the player Sam Allardyce is considering bringing to St. James' Park. If this is only speculation, then Allardyce should have immediately gone on record denying it and stating unequivocally that brats and prats like Barton have no room in his plans

Instead, the silence from Newcastle is deafening. Can anyone see the logic? Do the Magpies need a time bomb in their midst? Haven't their managers and supporters suffered enough with the likes of Craig Bellamy,  who is an angel compared to Barton?

Manchester United
Nicolas Anelka? Really? Has Sir Alex Ferguson lost his mind - or memory? Does he really weigh the possibility of bringing The Incredible Sulk to Old Trafford? Well, perhaps he should call Kevin Keegan and hear from him how Anelka's temperament and tantrums 'galvanised' the whole squad at Manchester City. Maybe he  should visit the Santiago Bernabeau and find out about Real Madrid's experience with a player who cannot mix with his mates and cope with the media attention.

Anelka, Wayne Rooney and Alan Smith together in the same dressing room, or on the same pitch? You cannot be serious, Sir Alex.