Town boss Mick McCarthy says his fourth striker signing is more likely to be a loan player and revealed he made enquiries regarding West Ham’s Ashley Fletcher, who is set to join Middlesbrough in a £7 million permanent deal, and Chelsea’s Iké Ugbo, who will spend the season with Barnsley. TWTD revealed that Fletcher was on McCarthy’s wish-list a year ago.
Asked whether he was any nearer to making a signing at today’s Open Day, McCarthy said: "We’re still trying, we’re working hard at it but as is everybody else.
"And then you see Middlesbrough spending £7 million on Ashley Fletcher. Me, like a pillock, am ringing up about trying to take him on loan. I asked in the last window and I asked this year.
"I was speaking to somebody yesterday, to his agent, whether that’s come completely out of the blue I don’t think so. He must have been laughing right up his sleeve at me asking to take him on loan.”
The Championship has seen higher than ever fees paid out this summer with players such as Ruben Neves, who has joined Wolves from FC Porto, moving for as much as £15 million.
"And that was or a holding midfield player, that’s what it was,” McCarthy reflected. "I’m amazed. I don’t know how it can continue or be sustained. I know that teams that have come down, Norwich and Villa have still got a hefty parachute payment, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Hull have got their parachute payments.
"But then you still look at other teams, Sheffield Wednesday haven’t had a parachute payment for a long time and they spent £10 million in the last window.
"Bristol City spent £5 million on a striker recently and spent last year as well. If I go through them you’d think there’s not that many that haven’t.
"But I said to the lads today, it doesn’t matter what they’re spending, there are a few who haven’t. Barnsley won’t be spending, QPR haven’t spent, they’ve an enquiry pending on whether they’re going to get a £66 million [FFP] fine, where that figure comes from God only knows. We’ve just got to do it the way we do it and we’ll be competitive.”
Does he see that as a motivating factor for his squad, which has been assembled rather more modestly?
"The players know what’s going on, it’s more about us than what other people do,” he added. "I’m not so sure that’s a motivating factor. Some of them might think ‘I wouldn’t mind a £7 million move to Boro as well’, it could be demotivating that! I’m just telling you the way it is, it’s bonkers the way it is.”
Does he expect there to be a domino effect in the market for strikers, one becoming available as another joins their club?
"Possibly, there are strikers who are coming back. Barnsley signed Iké Ugbo, I asked about him at the end of last season, spoke to his agent, spoke to Chelsea. I think Barnsley have promised him to play, he scored two goals on his debut.
"I wouldn’t promise anyone to play because that’s nonsense. We might be two games in and they’re playing hopeless, I’m not going to keep playing them, that’s for certain.
"He’s a really good player. There are other strikers, they’re at Premier League clubs and they’re all waiting until they come back from pre-season and then they’ll start letting them out, but that won’t be before the season starts.”
The Town boss confirmed that the Blues making a loan signing is more likely - "Yes” - and said there has been no interest in any of his players.
Young striker Shane McLoughlin played for Braintree in a friendly against Barnet on Tuesday but McCarthy says there’s been no word on whether the Iron want to take the 20-year-old Irishman on loan, while young defender Chris Smith is currently with another National League side.
"I’ve not heard whether they want him or not. Chris Smith’s gone to play for Bromley, is training with Bromley.
"If we can get those lads out to National League clubs I’ll do it. Even when we start back, if the window’s shut, they might have to go and play in the National League for a month, and that doesn’t have to be the kids either. It’s a good place to have a month’s football because it’s bloody competitive.”
Is Luke Hyam a more senior player who might go out on loan to a National League club? "I didn’t say that. I’m hoping he’s going to be out [training] shortly, to be honest with you.”
McCarthy confirmed that 18-year-old Pat Webber won't be joining Aldershot, where is spent time on trial recently: "Pat’s not going to Aldershot.”