West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce admits they had to fight off a bid from Galatasaray last week for Carlton Cole.
Allardyce was actually in Spain taking a break during the international schedule when Gala made their bid.
The Hammers boss is unhappy with the way the transfer window works, feeling it is unfair that other countries have more time to do their business.
"Certainly when I finished the window and had signed Henri Lansbury, David Bentley and Guy Demel I was absolutely delighted," said Allardyce
"I was sitting in Spain, sipping a glass of sangria, thinking, 'well, I might enjoy a paella' then ping, ring, ring, ping, email, call, email, call and 48 hours of sheer hell really just fighting off the fact that the Galatasaray bid was not something that we should do.
"I don't want to detract too much from the result we've had against Portsmouth because Carlton Cole's played a major part in that, but this ridiculous opportunity for other countries to be allowed an extra few days is beyond belief for me."
