The academy is a huge outlay I agree BUT it acheives to functions
1) potentially finds the next great. Whatever the success rate finding a Clayton or Duffer would be a huge shout
2) Fulfills a good social function
3) as Hughes showed with Wales, blending youth and experience can be a winner. He clearly has faith in our youngsters, he makes them train with the 1st team on a regular basis, and comes from a club famous for making the name of youngsters with loan deals (Beckham to the nobenders, anyone?)
Harkins looks the sort who could be a great squad player, and with the departure of Flitty in midfield that is what we really need. Yes he isn't exactly Vieria BUT he is an option on low wages and we are woefully short of options.