Manchester United and Chelsea then. Sell to one that gives a favourable deal on a player? (Mumbles something about murky multi club groups)
that don’t sound right. Gnonto would have gone for sure if he had a 20m release clause. Great little player.
If we can bring in Archer, a Brooks/Rak Sakyi type (I feel we need a left footed right winger to get the best from our system), one of Brooks' best mates in goal on loan (please please) one more defensive midfielder (Chukuemeka?) and keep/replace Charly then I think we'll give this a right good go. That's a huge ask I know but I feel closer to it than I have all summer today.
Another defensive midfielder? I think that is Lesley. We are immensely unlikely to get another one. It was already a bit of a nervy situation as to whether we would recognise that we needed another one as well as Downes. Especially if we either keep or replace Charly as well
So much for that Brighton pathway to the 1st team. I note he didn't even feature for Brighton in their pre-season to stake his claim ... absolutely he would have done here.
It's almost like the leaving for playing time line wasn't the real reason all along. Whoever could have forseen... He'll have more money in the bank though and would have likely gone out on loan this season if he was still with us anyway so I doubt this is a hammer blow to him.
You would like to think that what has happened with him and Dibling would at least make some think twice. Or consider different options. The lad who went to France for example - presumably could have sat in the development squad at a premier league club and got a bunch of loans. Although I have no idea whether he is any closer to the team at a top French club. But it’s at least a different choice. Weren’t Brighton after him as well?
Alfie House says £15m for Archer, no buy back clause this time. A small sell-on percentage if he blossoms at Saints and moves on Sekou Mara is leaving for £10m, also from House
Did anyone really believe it was about first team football and not just a player moving to a better club and probably a pay rise?
So we have turned a slight profit on ABK and broke even on Mara, in terms of transfer fees anyway. As I mentioned previously I’ll keep an eye on them throughout their careers to see if they reach the heights they were expected to as teenagers, same with Sulemana if he leaves. Could be that the shambles that was the club in the 22/23 season doomed their time here
Sekou Mara and £12m for Archer and Brereton Diaz feels like very savvy business at this stage, regardless of which division we are in next season
