Might the Wes situation be following that of Holt when he put in a transfer request after being refused a contract extension? Might that be what the discussions are about now?
But unlike Holt, Wes isn't currently an integral member of the squad. Letting Holt move at the end of 2012 would have put as seriously on the back foot, letting Wes move now will have little effect on the squad, as he's always going to be second choice to Howson, and Hughton would rather play two strikers than Wes.
Surely we need another ACM as well a Howson, especially as he is injured at the moment. I know Elmander can play behind the striker, but that is much more a second striker role.
"Integral member of the squad" wasn't perhaps the best phrase, "consistent first team player" would have been closer. In 11-12 and most of 12-13, Holt would have been one of, if not the, first name on the team sheet. Whilst that may not have continued, it made sense to appease him. Right now, in a 4-3-3 Howson is preferred, and if Howson's not available we go 4-4-2, with Elmander or RvW dropping deeper. Hoolahan won't get picked unless we're short of both Howson and strikers, so he's not as integral to our "success" as Holt was. I agree we need a second ACM in the squad, precisely so we can play 4-3-3 without Howson, but if Hughton doesn't think Hoolahan's up to it, and would rather change the formation, then there's little point giving Wes an extra year on his contract to keep him happy. I fully expect us to sign 1, if not 2 attacking midfielders in the summer, meaning if Hoolahan stays he'll be an even more bit-part player next season, if we were to give him a contract for the season after that, (and we stayed in the Prem), he'd likely be nowhere near the first team. Is it worth committing £750k (assuming he's on ~£15k p/w wages) to give him the extra year, when he's likely to only be partially useful for the next 4 months, and then probably never again?
Lewis Holtby's agent reckons he'll be allowed to leave on loan for the rest of the season, possibly sold in the summer. Come on Hughton! His wages might be upwards of £65k p/w, but if Spurs let us pay around half of Bassong's to begin with, maybe we could work something out again? He'll probably end up at Newcastle, or even worse, West Ham though.
I can see that, DH, but surely if another ACM isn't signed, it's worth having Hoolahan as an option as £750k isn't all that much in the present scheme of things.
The Spuds are trying to swap him with Berbatov apparently. Fulham would be getting the better of the deal there I reckon. He'd be perfect for us !
He (Yobo) has played a total of 450mins (5 games out of a possible 24) for Fenerbahce this season. EDIT: 3 of those were Champions League qualifying games. Only 1 was a league match.
On loan, I think he'd be a decent signing as back up. He'd also bring a lot of experience and a cool head, as well as giving us confidence that he can cope with going straight into the Prem (unlike Ciani). I'm rapidly (and depressingly) travelling towards the conclusion that we aren't going to sign any creative players in this window and we are looking for some calm heads who will get us across the line. It will make for a tedious and frustrating second half of the season, but should at least cement our premier league status for another year. Hopefully we can regroup and sign a couple of better attacking midfielders in the summer.
To be honest, judging by how little he's played this season and the fact he is now 33 years old, I will not lose any sleep if we don't get him. I'd much, much rather have Ciani (even though he is from Lazio - bleurgh), but that seems increasingly unlikely now.
