It appears we no longer have owners trying to suck out every bit of cash they can. So no need to accept the first bid that comes along. That first bid while establishing a floor, may not be indicative of real value - which as you say is whatever a buyer is willing to pay.
Yep, in any case, how refreshing is it that we didn't sell a star player for the first bid that came in? We really have turned a corner!
That's the only reason I see him as worth paying as much as £4.5m for. Fullbacks simply don't sell for big prices. The best example is last year - Nathaniel Clyne went to Southampton for £2.6m, with add-ons. He had just as good rep as Byram this year, if not better. Due to the increased tv revenue, Byram may well be worth a bit more than that. Bear in mind that Clyne, having had a very strong year in the Prem, is now being linked with Chelsea for £7.5m. This gives you an idea of the value Byram could be. In the Championship, he will not be worth more than he is now - his contract will get shorter, he will get older and keener to leave. £4.5m, give or take, would be a brilliant piece of business from you for a fullback and would be well worth it because Byram won't get you promoted, but £4.5m invested wisely could.
This is absolutely true. Isn't Bates still on the board though? The bottom line is that directors owe the club duties, and a financially good deal just cannot be turned down. I think £2.5-£3.5m or however much is rumoured is definitely not too good to turn down, whereas double that may well be.
No longer an owner, no longer the dictator, no longer the decision maker. But yes, still around - much to the chagrin of many! Of course, every asset has a price at which it will be sold. We all think there is a long way to go, though.
Canary Rob may well be right in his valuation in a sensible world, however, if you don't want to sell a player it's usual practise to set a price too high and if some idiot comes along with the inflated value you have to think about it seriously.
Completely agree, and to be honest if he wasn't home-grown I don't think there'd be as much fuss about him leaving. It's less about his current or potential ability and more about fighting to keep our better players to be honest. If he leaves, I think he can be adequately replaced and as you say, we could reinvest a substantial amount of money throughout the squad. But if he does leave, I want to feel like we got a damn good price and negotiated the best possible deal, rather than give him away to the first bidder. No way is he worth £8m - Clyne is a much better, more experienced player - but it's about time we started making clubs pay over the odds for our players rather than give them away on the cheap. If you do end up selling Ruddy, I doubt it'll be for anything less than £10m, which is the way it should be for a good player still under contract
