I'd get in touch with Udinese about taking Matej Vydra on loan. So far he's played 30 minutes of football this season in 3 substitute appearances, two of those coming on in the last 5 minutes. I can't see that changing and if we offer to actually play him, I'm sure Udinese will be happy to recall him and send him out to us. I'm sure WBA will be equally happy to shed a useless wage off the bill.
Someone said we've dodged a bullet as Aluko hasn't signed that big offer. If we still make him a big offer it could be déjà vu time. Jimmy Bullard!
This might eliminate some of Aluko's more appealing options other than here and we might not be paying him as much as we might have. We have to be in the negotiation drivers seat now!
It's a bit of a pisser, but if he comes back determined to win a contract, then fair enough. If he gets back to full fitness in February, then he'll be back at a vital time in the season for us.
Here's the rub.....Aluko clearly with ongoing Achilles issues & running up to D day contract wise - we decided not to go for Charlie Austin on the basis of a possible future knee issue that came up on medical......doesn't seem to have stopped him doing the biz for QPR but that's not my point - the point is despite Aluko's undoubted qualities on the park he must be a real "future" risk a la Austin.......
There doesn't seem to be much sympathy for the lad on here and only concern for ourselves. With him rejecting our offer and the way he left Rangers and indeed Aberdeen is he seen as a bit if a mercenary? Another point, in literally every single interview i have seen Bruce give about Aluko he has said "if the lad stays fit...". He's almost like a broken record. Does this mean he really is fooked in general and I wonder if he was contracted to another club and a fee was involved, would we sign him now? I'd suggest we probably wouldn't....
He's missing the most vital part of the season for us. I haven't worked it out but there must be more games in the next 10 weeks than any other 10 week period.
My point exactly BCC - for sure I have every sympathy with the lad and a fit Aluko is the dogs bits but we do indeed have to think of our club as we did with the Austin deal.......for sure if we were proposing to sign him for a fee the recurring Achilles injury would be an issue & like you I suspect it would scupper any move..... All bets off I presume until he's fit again and hopefully shows us what he can do when he gets back.....
My point exactly BCC - for sure I have every sympathy with the lad and a fit Aluko is the dogs bits but we do indeed have to think of our club as we did with the Austin deal.......for sure if we were proposing to sign him for a fee the recurring Achilles injury would be an issue & like you I suspect it would scupper any move..... All bets off I presume until he's fit again and hopefully shows us what he can do when he gets back.....
There is indeed there's only 3 games this month (with 2 to play) compared to a mammoth 7 in december and 4 in january it's a massive period of games in the premier league for those chasing the title and avoiding relegation
I think Aluko will be off anyway - things like potential future injuries don't put off clubs who are willing to throw daft money away, as QPR showed in the summer.
My suggestion about Vydra is a non starter, he played 4 minutes for Udinese in a Europa league qualifier, so is ineligible to appear for another club this season. Shame for him, bloody tidy little player, deserves to be playing.