Town boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that Leicester City have made a bid for Blues striker David McGoldrick, but says owner Marcus Evans isn’t keen to do the deal.

“Yes, they have bid,” he confirmed after the Blues’ 1-1 draw at Derby, which McGoldrick missed due to what McCarthy says was a genuine injury.

“He did actually have a dead leg, whether anybody believes me or not. Had it been the cup final at Wembley I think we probably we would have nursed him through that one. But I’m of a mind that you need everybody 100 per cent, physically and mentally.”

He says the decision will be owner Evans’s and not his: “If one does go, that won’t be down to me that will be down to what Leicester are bidding and what Marcus decides is the right [price].

“Let me tell you, Marcus doesn’t want it to happen, but sometimes… it’s not unstoppable because Marcus, if he wanted to stop it then he could, that’s for sure.

“But then I’m always of a mind that you need players of 100 per cent playing with you all the time and, I have to be honest, I think if David had been playing today and got injured and there was then no chance of it happening, it would have been nice for us because we would have been keeping him. But if it was going to happen, he’d never forgive himself, and neither would I.”

Asked whether the potential move had turned McGoldrick’s head, he added: “Of course it has! A Premier League club comes in for you, it’s near your home, you can go back and live in your own house, there’ll be more money. It would distract me as well.

“I’m not worried about that, of course it does, there’s no point in saying it hasn’t. But he did have a knock, he got knocked on Thursday.

“But, as I say if it was a matter of him walking out at Wembley on cup final day I’m sure we would have nursed him.”

He admits McGoldrick’s exit on top of Aaron Cresswell having moved on would be a big blow: “It would be a right kick in the bollocks, but I’ll let the market forces and Marcus deal with all that and [whether] Leicester want to keep pushing and see what they do.”

Earlier in the summer Ross McCormack moved from Leeds to Fulham for £11 million and Leonardo Ulloa joined Leicester from Brighton for £8 million, the same as the reported fee offered for McGoldrick.

McCarthy believes McGoldrick is the best of the three: “Let me tell you, I think he’s better than all of them, I do.

“All right, he didn’t get 28 goals [unlike McCormack] , he got 16 but he missed more than two months of the season. He was outstanding for us.

“If that’s the market, that’s the market and I think people have to pay accordingly or it doesn’t happen.”

If the deal was done would he look to replace the 26-year-old? “I’m cool with what I’ve got there today.

“Big Frank came on, people might say ‘why did he play instead of Balint’, well because he came on wide right and he can do that job, that’s why that happened.”

Like Evans, McCarthy doesn’t want McGoldrick to move on, but says he is aware of the way things work in football.

“He doesn’t want to do it and neither do I. I don’t want to lose him physically, but I’d hate to lose him emotionally for a long time.

“I have to be honest and if it was me in that position, I’d be putting my boots on every Saturday with a whole load of resentment and a whole load of CBA - Can’t Be Arsed - for a little bit of a while.

“That’s not what I want, although I know Didz has got huge respect for me and the club, and I have for him. But it can materialise that.”

He says he's not had the type of conversation with McGoldrick where has indicated that he wants to go: “I haven’t had that discussion with him. He knows [the offer]’s there. If it turns out being the right thing as it was with Cressy, then maybe it has to happen.”

The Town boss says he’s unsure whether the deal will go through as things stand: “I don’t know, Marcus doesn’t want him to go.”

He added: “I give pragmatic and honest reasons. I could sit here and waffle and give you a load of bollocks and sit here and tell you whatever I want to lie about. I’m not going to do that.

“I know the way football works, so you can all write whatever you like about what I’ve said, I’m finished on that, but you know the scenario.

“Big boys come and throw a big cheque at it and sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t.”

Photo: Action Images

groundhog added 19:21 - Aug 30 You have to take 8 million for McGoldrick. But not just to disappear on wages for loan signings. Sure we may have to loan in a striker till January. But the scouts need to scour the lower leagues for up and coming players. A striker who scores regulary in the lower leagues and a couple of midfielders who can make things happen and look to spend 3/4 of the McGoldrick money on these 3. Let's face it if the scouts are worth their money these players would recoup there outlay in the future. You won't ever make money on loanees. What we mustn't let happen is his contract to run down and get nothing for him. If ME and MM follow this path them I'm sure fans would show patience

1

groundhog added 19:21 - Aug 30 You have to take 8 million for McGoldrick. But not just to disappear on wages for loan signings. Sure we may have to loan in a striker till January. But the scouts need to scour the lower leagues for up and coming players. A striker who scores regulary in the lower leagues and a couple of midfielders who can make things happen and look to spend 3/4 of the McGoldrick money on these 3. Let's face it if the scouts are worth their money these players would recoup there outlay in the future. You won't ever make money on loanees. What we mustn't let happen is his contract to run down and get nothing for him. If ME and MM follow this path them I'm sure fans would show patience

1

tractorboybig added 19:25 - Aug 30 what he (mm) is saying is that if mcgoldrick wants to go he will. And boy i should think he wants to go. anyone on this site in similar circumstances would go.
2

Fartman added 19:38 - Aug 30 @Sindre: The bid isn't for Murphy. Do you really think Pope would be the answer? I don't, we need to replace like for like, not with what we've already got.
0

backwiththeboysagain added 19:39 - Aug 30 To think i had so much optimism for this season, it all seems it's going the other way. ME will sell, McG has had his head turned and will go where the most money is offered, can't really blame any footballer doing that. The real kick in the nuts will be we won't invest any of the money (£12 million with Creswell's added) in the team with a permanent signing, it will be a PL player on a 3 month loan.

4

paulcooperisgod added 19:41 - Aug 30 8 million plus david nugent he ALWAYS scores at Portman road
4

warktheline added 19:41 - Aug 30 "I'm cool with what I've got there today"........do me a favour Mick. Evans back your manager, if you must sell, and I believe you will, for god sake, tip a bit of dosh Mick's way to strengthen this paper thin squad.
6

runningout added 19:43 - Aug 30 if it isn't £8m plus then I comprehend :)
0

LWNR2013 added 19:46 - Aug 30 5 from 5 is ok. we only need to pick up 4 wins all season to make 54 points and be safe. No need to panic and waste £12m.
-4

stickler1979 added 19:59 - Aug 30 The issue for Town is if MM and ME hold their nerve and don't sell McGoldrick, mentally will he still be in a position to play to his best. He may well have had a dead leg, but that could have been a cover. If he has been that unsettled by the possible move, is his mind gonna be right if we keep hold of him. Will he be the threat that he was last season, or will he become a shadow of what he was? If he's not going to give his all to Town because he's being told to stay, then that could have big knock-on effect within the squad too. If he really wants to talk to a team and go elsewhere, and the figure meets the £8m (or a figure close to that, which ME and MM believe is the right price) then it would seem a very shrewd piece of business if we sold him. I don't want to see players like McGoldrick leaving. However, we have to be pragmatic. If this bid has unsettled him so much that MM didn't have him in the squad, then it answers the question as to whether he stays or is sold. Time will tell I guess.

2

Tonyitfc82 added 20:04 - Aug 30 DM is a very good player but he is not worth 8M. Wake up people. If I was in charge I would have sold him for the initial offer of 6.5M. He came in on a free so its all profit. Very good bussines indeed. I swear we can get a replacement for less than half that. We need to be careful that we dont lose Berra as well. He has been fantastic.
2

dirtydingusmagee added 20:20 - Aug 30 it always seems to be one step forward two steps back with Town,we get a striker who scores goals and we start moving forward then next you know we sell ,and who knows if or when we can get a good replacement.As has been said already ,hope Berra isnt next.
3

Lord_Mac added 20:26 - Aug 30 If we do get £8 million for DM, then we may be selling at the top of the market, which is good business for us. I do wonder if he has lost his pace compared to last year, as a result of the injury, in which case it would be very good business. Getting players in and selling them on at a big profit is exactly the right way to run this club in the modern era.. Let's not forget that we also have Cameron Stewart to come back into the mix, who can play as a forward. Not that his scoring rate is all that prolific!!

1

Warkys_Tash added 20:33 - Aug 30 Leics will at least triple his wages & achance to play in the prem that looked like a million miles away when he was languishing on loan at Coventry in L1! Been awesome for us, really don't want to lose the best striker we have had since Marcus Stewart but he is as good as gone. Can't blame the player. We should get at least what they paid for Ulloa, MM is right he is the best of the 3. What really concerns me is the fact that MM thinks he gas enough herd & doesn't need to replace him. Dream on!! Even with McG here we were all shouting for another striker to play with him. Season is just getting worse & more painful as a Town fan. Anyone who thinks we will get Vardy is dreaming, Leicester rate him highly..

9

Mariner1974 added 20:40 - Aug 30 Apparently the Ross McCormack deal was only about £6 million anyhow according to Fulham fans. £8 million in a big lump for McGoldrick is a good money for a player who we got on a free...great business, but if it's one of those deals with add on's I'd rather keep him. when was the last time we had a striker who was prolific like him. Been an age for us to discover one, and as far as I know Pablo Counago's son isnt old enough yet for a 1st team start

1

TimmyH added 20:43 - Aug 30 Personally feel it will go ahead...£8M certainly is not a bad sum of money for him, can we get a permanent transfer to replace him on time or maybe a Leicester deal for one of their players? (don't feel they'll let Nugent go). As mentioned if we don't and only get the emergency loans in if it Premiership player/players) it's hardly the way forwards.
2

Steelmonkey added 20:50 - Aug 30 Have now had time to take in this news. I like others dont want to see McGoldrick go, but now that a bid of that size has come in and from a Premiership team it's going to be down to him to make the decision on if to go. Money aside, as a player he must want to play at the highest level, after all everyone has ambition, I really can't see promotion coming this season for us, so does he wait and miss what might be the only chance he may get to prove himself at the highest level. Logically he would be a complete plank to turn this chance down, so I for one am now totally convinced that he has played his last game for us. So I say take this opportunity with both hands David and i thank you for putting a smile on my face for the time you have been here, it's been a pleasure seeing you in a town shirt, and I wish you all the luck for your future.

5

Pip50 added 20:51 - Aug 30 Take the money it doesn't matter. The rot is much deeper 10th with McG 18th without what's the difference same c*rap football. I have watched Chelsea today on Sky £30 buys you a ticket to watch them as does a seat at Portman Road. Wake up and smell the roses!!
3

SickParrot added 21:13 - Aug 30 So sad to learn that we are likely to lose our best player McGoldrick. I want him to stay but I would not blame him if he goes. He is too good for us and deserves a chance to show what he can do in the Premier League. If we can get 8 million, that is a very good price but we must use most of it to strengthen the team. Given that the transfer window closes on Monday it will have to be loans for now. Now that Palace have Zaha back, may be we can get Jonnie Williams again? If we are to have any chance of making the playoffs we need him, a creative midfielder and a goal scorer. We also need Mick to encourage the team to play a passing game and to take the game to the opposition more, but this is about as likely as a lottery win! What would we do without Berra? He must be one of the best centre backs in the Championship and is also our top scorer. If he carries on like this he will be the next one to be sold! Please Mick, shock me and bring in some quality before it is too late.

2

Lightningboy added 21:16 - Aug 30 £8m would be great money but i'd prob take £6m plus Nugent tbh,then go and get Jonny Williams too.
0

kerryblue added 21:19 - Aug 30 Wheres the Cressy money gone Evans???Same place as Didzy money will go into your back pocket and you think you will pacify the fans with a couple on loanee rejects ,getting quite sick of the way evans is runs this club and doesn't give a tXss about us fans,the whole club is in total disarray with an ignorant blinkered manager
-3

marcus139 added 21:26 - Aug 30 We are being treated as mugs. End of story.
1

nunny97 added 21:31 - Aug 30 Do you all really think that MM is going to earn a point away at derby and come out and say I really need to strengthen this squad they're just not good enough? No! he's not, he's going to try to give the players he has confidence, he's not an idiot he obviously knows he needs to strengthen to get anywhere, the person you have to blame is ME for not giving mick the money and to be honest I think he's done a great job with no money

4

Palestine added 21:32 - Aug 30 When I just read the headline I thought the figure (if known at all) would be about 2 or 3 million. And I was gutted. But if it really is 8M - and I bet it isn't - then that is kind of fantasy money! It would be an amazing deal and an amazing piece of business IF it was reinvested. You can imagine: 12M in from selling 2 best players, but with it a chance to buy 4 or 5 very good players and a couple of frees or loans on top to give us a team and squad that is a) better than last season and b) competing for play-offs. But it is hard to celebrate if such a good piece of business, and such a decent wedge of cash does not translate into strengthening a thin squad lacking quality, but just going back into ME's coffers, leaving us even weaker than before. What is the point in that? Nouble is kind of a benchmark: If he is anywhere near the squad, you know we are in big trouble and lacking quality. Like others I appreciate MM's honesty, integrity, and the fact that he is given us a strong defence, but beyond that there is not much to cheer. Such a lack of quality, invention, goal threat, or basic ability to pass. It would be impossible for us to what MK Dons did the other night because we just don't carry that threat. The thought of paying £30+ quid every week to watch Town try and grind out a 1-0, or just a draw.....it's not football, and it's not ITFC. COYB

6

JimInGreensboro added 21:36 - Aug 30 Then why hold him out of the Derby match? Seems more than a dead leg's afoot.
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls