| Blackburn gaffa on szmodics on 08:24 - Aug 3 by Len_Brennan |
Szmodics is in contract for another year, plus they have the option of a further year after that. He is a Blackburn player & they are entitled to place a value on him that they feel reflects his worth to them, just like we are with any of our players. We started out only offering £6m.
He was the top scoring player in the Championship last season, with 27 goals, and he's not even a striker. Ok, he's 28, but he's not 33, plus he became a full international last season, which always attracts a premium, irrespective of the country. This on top of us being a Premier League club that meant we go from paying £1.5m for Hirst, to £20m for Delap. Blackburn have seen us pay that money for an as yet unproven forward, aswell as Omari, plus £15m+ for a centre half, & £10m for a relatively unknown GK. £6m was an insult to them.
Ultimately I don't think he's worth £10m+, but he is a good player, experienced, a proven finisher and ... we want him. We should get 4+ years of him at his current level, so it's not like a risk on an overseas player who never settles or adapts to English football. Also, Blackburn know we are getting a bit desperate & had to embarassingly play u21s against B.M. yesterday due to a lack of fit players, particularly in attack; not to mention, other clubs (Leeds) are interested - they have all the bargaining power right now, even if he wants to come.
We can't pride ourselves on how tough a negotiator Ashton is/has been in the market, and then be so critical of another club when they hold firm on their value. Imagine if Newcastle offered £13m for Leif Davis & he wanted to move home, while we were holding out for £25m. Should we just give in if they upped it to £16m?
If we feel we really need him, we'll have to up the offer, but otherwise we should walk away. In fact, given the unsavoriness of the last 10 days or more & the suggested tension, it may have been better if we had, even if we do get him now while saving a million or two. |
I wouldn't be impressed if we handled interest in Leif in the same manner. When you let a transfer deal rumble on this long it unsettles the whole squad and preparations for the upcoming season. It's better to get the deal done quicker or just say he's staying until January at least.
I think it's time to ask what number they are willing to shake on now and if we want to stretch to that, we do it. |  |
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