The final day of any transfer window can be a dramatic one for supporters, as they await the latest news of potential deals - and it can be the same for the players involved, too.
When Louis Saha decided that he wished to leave Everton in January 2012, his move was left until deadline day and became even more complicated as it involved Steven Pienaar returning to the Blues.
Saha had joined the Toffees from Manchester United in 2008, scoring in the FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea in his debut season, before firing 13 league goals the following year.
However, by the time Harry Redknapp came calling, the French striker’s influence had waned significantly under David Moyes, though he still had other aspects of his life to consider.
READ MORE: Ainsley Maitland-Niles Everton transfer latest as Arsenal make stance clear
"It was a good move. I had a moment where something was broken with Everton. Some attitudes towards me weren't right, so I felt it was time for something different”, Saha told the BBC .
"My family were still in Manchester and leaving them behind was a bit difficult. I discussed it with my partner at the time.
“It's an opportunity but it's not easy because you don't get to see the people you care about
"The career is so short that you have to do what you have to do, but it's mainly about respect and balance. It's about making sure that everyone can find their happiness.”
An aspect to all transfers that is players having to decide whether to relocate themselves and possibly their families, with just a few hours notice.
*Give you transfer window rating for each club (article continues below):
Discussing why there is a tendency for clubs to wait until time is running out to get deals over the line, Saha shared his experiences and the anxieties that come with any deadline day move.
"At the last moment I needed to drive down to London to do my medical. My knees have always been an issue in my career, but everything went through OK”, he admitted.
“There is a tendency for clubs or advisors to wait until the last moment of the transfer window to get a bit more pressure and leverage.
“Sometimes you hear about the possibility a month or two before, but it takes a while for it to become more concrete.”
With Rafa Benitez admitting in his press conferences that Everton were still chasing “two or three” deals at the end of the transfer window, those players will be facing similar decisions to the ones had to make, almost a decade ago.
