A few rumours re surfacing about Downes going to Ipswich. Can’t see us wanting to add strength to a promotion rival unless they offer mad money??
Devils advocate view - if we get what we paid for him then that's good business. He was good not great last season and may well not want to be here. I probably wouldn't sell but would forgive the club for doing so if we have targets lined up.
Yeah would be daft to sell to Ipswich imo. It's a position we're already looking to buy in so doing that would mean we'd need two and going to be hard to get them both right. Suspect he might want the move though.
I was disappointed Downes did not rise to the challenge of the Prem and that he later threw his rattle out if the pram. I agree about not selling him to ipswich but not fussed if he is moved on.
Downes is excellent in the Championship, and showed that when he has a DM partner in the PL he is decent, as was shown towards the end of the season when we finally started doing the obvious thing and playing Downes and Ugochukwu together. We have very few in the current squad that can step up to PL level and he can, given the right setup. Absolutely no way we should be selling to a direct promotion rival under any circumstance unless we absolutely rinse them and double our money. Don't think we should sell to a PL club to just get our money back either. We only just signed him last summer and we'd likely have to spend a good chunk of that money to replace him anyway.
I agree with alot of that but Downes' behaviour was unacceptable last season. Just think he is a bad apple. Would love to sign Big Les although unlikely.
I've not seen anything about Downes to Ipswich but I really cant see it. We would only sell a player like him to a promotion rival if the money was stupid and I can't see a championship team offering £25m+.
Isn’t it likely a recycled rumour from when they wanted him last summer and tried to beat us to him. It’s quieter than usual on the rumour front and I think agents and clubs are quieter as well.
Downed seemed unhappy when Martin left, perhaps Will can instill Downes with some confidence for the coming season!
Fingers crossed for him. He'll likely be in the last year of his contract when he returns but I just want to see him playing tbh