Yes I thought about that after posting. But I think Wordsworth was one of his first and most ongoing recommendations so I considered it a serious one. Maybe because it was one I agree with. I think he would cost about £1.5 million though. Not sure if we have that sort of money without selling one of our stars. Any more unneeded Jenkinsons gathering cobwebs in the groundsman's shed?
£1.5m? Really? I thought he was out of contract. Would be a bit of a risk for that amount. If he is out of contract, then would be a great signing on a free.
No idea, but Dick Plumb says he has another year to go on his contract. I cannot imagine Colchester letting him run his contract down to a free. They would want to cash in on him at some point and buy three good Div One players for the money. But I often think this question of "free transfers" is somewhat misunderstood. Let us suppose hypothetically that a player like Wordsworth is valued at £1.5 million. That means that at least two clubs (and normally three or more) would be willing to pay that amount. He refuses to sign for another club with the aim of running his contract down and negotiating his own signing on fee and wages with a new club. He is going to be looking for something close to that £1.5 million either in cash and/or in enhanced wages spread over the period of his new contract. The club that signs him might save a bit as against buying him when still on contract, but not that much. Of course lots of other factors can affect the cost in either direction such as his continuing form and fitness and any changes in the financial health of the interested clubs. Players usually fetch more in the midwinter break because there are not so many on offer, and because many managers and chairmen are under pressure to do a quick fix in an attempt to secure promotion or avoid relegation that same season. Though a different style, I think Wordsworth is roughly the same standard as Bailey, for whom we got well over £1 million, and Wordsworth is two years younger than Bailey was at that time.
He's under 24 (23 at the moment) as well so if we do get him on a Free it wont be Free because compenstation will need to be agreed