Whilst I'm surprised that the deadly duo would stump up £6m, I've seen Cole (27) have some great games so I think he might be a great signing if we could pip Stoke to his signature. Bothroyd also looks expensive at 65k a week (albeit without a transfer fee). Again, I'd like to see him in the hoops but I'd worry what this might do to our wage structure. Is a big signing on fee the answer, no matter how risky that might be with respect to his future motivation?
To continue in this vein, Riise is 30 and I'd rather spend my £2.2m on someone younger. Some of the fees mentioned for ageing players are really surprising: Wes Brown is 31 and has signed a four year contract for a fee of £4m and £40k a week, and John O'Shea (30) is apparently worth the same fee! (Source:The Times)
BTW, I've seen elsewhere on several occasions that Taraabt (21) has just 2 years left on his contract. I'd love it if the report above is correct and it's actually 3 years.
Finally, the Times also says Steve Bruce might sell us Anton Ferdinand to fund further purchases, although why we should want him, I'm not sure: he's hardly set the premiership alight.
I'd rather focus our money on some younger players who have lower wages, a future in the game and a future transfer value.
