Why are we all hung up on the cost? If we can afford it, then we will spend it, end of. Let's talk about what the headline states "transfers" is there anyone else in the frame that is worth serious discussion?
I agree Highcliffe. Cortese will spend what he thinks is necessary. The kids won't be ready for regular Premiership football for a couple of seasons in my view so he will have taken that into account in his planning. Have faith!
Cortese has stated many times before he will spend cash as needed - but he has no intention 'of splashing the cash'. He runs Saints as a business - not as FM2012 - and he has a business model (which includes a financial model) that is based on progressive development over that timescale. We have a 5 year plan- we are, in terms of current league position, ahead of the plan and although some adjustment is necessary because of the better than projected progression it does not mean we need to 'splash the cash'.
Lennon clearly isn't willing to lose one of his prize assets (save for a stupidly high bid), so unless Hooper turns around and hands in a tranfer request (which he might do if it's someone like Spurs or Newcastle knocking on his door, but not us!) then we can safely put this one to bed. I wouldn't be surprised if we went back for Rodrigues, especially now that our league position might tempt him to reduce his wage demands (compared to what he would have wanted from us back in the summer).
http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/4060599/No-Saints-switch-for-Hooper.html By the summer, if Celtic win the SPL, they will have direct entry to the Champions League, so comeback summer 2013. Good luck in your promotion bid. Hope you make it .
This is exactly what I mean in my last post. To get Rodrigues which will take 5-6m and 25 or so wages. Hooper will cost 8-10m and similar or lower wages. However Rodrigues is an unknown at higher level, is an unknow in terms of personality and therefore like any signing is a gamble. Good players at one club for one manager don''t necessarily just slide seamlessly into another side and another side's way of playing/management style. Hooper has played at a higher level including European experience. Adkins already knows his personality and Adkins already knows he will fit into Adkin's style of play and management. Therefore Hooper at 8-10m is a much better option than Rodrigues at 6m because of not being much of a gamble. As for not splashing the cash I think that is a subjective statement. We aren't going to go out and buy 4 or 5 big names with no regard to their cost however if spending a huge sum on one player fits into the plan then that is not 'splashing the cash' it becomes a wise spend and a sound investment.
Lukas has apparently signed a loan deal with Boro, to allow him to play against Burnley today, and will make it a permenant transfer shortly (presumably the deadline for including players signed on loan in your matchday squad is closer to kick-off, than for permenant deals - don't permeant deals have to be completed by midday on Friday to be eligible to play on Saturdays?) As I said before, the very best of luck to him - except for when we go to the Riverside!
"But the valuation of that club and our valuation is some way off. You can tell that Celtic want about 12mil for him.
Transfer fees are capital investments. Naturally there is a fear of injury but if we sign Hooper for £6 million and he helps us get promoted and scores 15 goals in the premier league then we would have tripled our initial investment easily. Naturally this is all Ifs but you get the idea. Personally I think Celtic will be too strong for us this window. If we get promoted then we might stand a better chance especially if they fall at the 1st hurdle in Europe again.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11700/7429096/Celtic-reject-new-Hooper-bid Will Saints up the bid?
Is it just me or does anyone else think that the £6 million + price tag that is being spoken about for Gary Hooper is a bit much. Don't get me wrong I would be very happy if he signed but to pay that sort of money for a player that has never played at the top level seems a little excessive. Now I'm not having a pop at Celtic and Rangers but the SPL is not even as good a standard as the Championship. They are both great clubs but the competition week in week out is poor. I'm watching Rangers vs St Johnston now and the quality is terrible. If you look at other strikers that have been good goalscorers in the SPL, like Kris Boyd and Scott McDonald, they haven't been able to continue that form when they move to the Championship. Now I know Hooper had a very good record when playing for Scunthorpe but as I said before he £6 million + for someone who hasn't yet played at the top level seems a lot of money. Anyway in Nicola and Nigel we trust.
