Richard Sutcliffe: Yorkshire clubs can only cast envious glances at big-spenders

Whether it be Arsene Wenger dipping into his £100m war chest, Luka Modric’s desire to join Chelsea or Manchester City’s ongoing attempts to stockpile the world’s best players in a manner not seen since AC Milan in their late Eighties heyday, all are likely to dominate the sporting agenda until the window closes on Wednesday night.

Here in Yorkshire, of course, ‘transfer kitty’ is more likely to be an order to a removal firm from a cat lover than it is a reference to a barrow load of cash to splash on new players. A desperate few years of on-field decline at almost all our clubs has seen to that.

Nevertheless, even as those fortunate enough to be born within the Broad Acres look enviously at the cash being splashed elsewhere, the next few days are likely to be vitally important.

Describing the lead-up to 11pm on August 31 as being a ‘make or break’ time for the White Rose clubs may be pushing it a tad. But there is no doubt that what happens before the deadline could have a major impact.

Nowhere is this probably more the case than in Sheffield, where United, Wednesday and Rotherham United all have a big few days ahead.

At Hillsborough, it is the search for players capable of leading the club to promotion that is focusing minds with two bids having been submitted for strikers earlier this week.

As has been proved in recent years by the likes of Jermaine Beckford, Ricky Lambert, Glenn Murray, Grant Holt and Craig Mackail-Smith, a hitman who can plunder upwards of 20 goals per season can make all the difference to a club in League One.

Last season, the Owls’ top scorer was on loan Neil Mellor with 13 – and he has since returned to Preston North End.

Gary Megson is well aware that Wednesday need more this term, hence the bids for Rotherham United’s Adam Le Fondre and another unnamed striker.

Across the Steel City, United fans are more concerned with possible departures from the Lane than new arrivals.

On paper, the starting XI Danny Wilson has been able to send out looks far too good for League One.

But, should Nick Montgomery, Stephen Quinn or even Richard Cresswell be spirited away courtesy of a bid the Blades board cannot turn down then, suddenly, United’s outlook will not look quite so rosy.

Elsewhere in the county, Leeds United supporters will be counting down the hours to the deadline every bit as anxiously as those in S2.

Max Gradel, the subject of an unsuccessful £2.5m bid from West Ham, is the club’s most prized asset. And, it has to be said, possibly the most likely to leave should an acceptable offer come in due to the Ivory Coast international being in the final year of his contract.

Robert Snodgrass, another Elland Road players coveted by others, is slightly different in that his deal is to 2013. However, should Wigan Athletic follow up their earlier interest with a firm bid then, again, Leeds’ resolve may be tested.

At our other clubs, matters seem more straightforward with any moves involving Bradford City, Barnsley, Hull City and Doncaster Rovers likely to involve strengthening depleted resources, while Huddersfield Town manager Lee Clark’s priority is cutting rather than adding to his squad.

All in all, though, the final few days of the window are set to be a nervy time.