Ash is quoted in the local press today praising Michael Laudrup's decision to extend his contract. He says it can only be good for the club in that it will provide stability and will be a big factor in cementing our progress in the next couple of years. It is good to hear that view but how does it stack up when Ash himself is the subject of much transfer conjecture? Will he go or won't he? Does his statement imply that he will be helping that stability by staying with us? We can only guess, of course. But should Ash depart the Liberty, how much do you guys figure we should ask for him - realistically!! Also, are any of you aware of a suitable replacement that would fit in at an affordable price? I haven't given this particular issue much thought to be honest and I will post my own suggestion later, although I am hoping that Ash will decide to stay with us.
I personally dont think he will be leaving. I just think it is lazy journalism and they needed something to write about. If he should go i would say he has to be worth around 10m. there are not many if any better centre backs in the league and that is constantly being said by the pundits. Mind you We and other clubs i believe always undervalue any player from little old Swansea so we probably would have an offer of 4m or something as ridiculous as that.
I have to say, I see Ash as being as important to us and our style of play as Leon. Basically they are virtually priceless....I don't think we would be able to replace him at all easily and even if we got a sizeable transfer fee from him, I'm not 100% we would be able to convince a suitable-quality replacement to join us (as we'd be competing with the top 6 in Prem and Germany) For that reason, I genuinely think we're talking £15m and with that we can bring in 2-3 centre backs with potential in the hope one of them "does a Caulker"
Earlier on this season I wouldn't have cared if he went, but he has really sorted himself out since then. He started to look overweight and prone to mistakes but has now got back to the player we all knew he was. I would be nervous about finding a like for like replacement if he went because as Trundles Left Foot has already said - we would possibly let him go for something silly whereas a replacement would probably cost double that. I know we've done alright by getting Chico, but I can't help feeling at some point we will make a disaster of a signing - law of averages etc. We can't keep on finding Michu's each season can we ? Michu and Chico's value has shot up since they signed but I would suggest that Pablo Hernandez value has probably fallen or at best levelled out. As for Ash and the Liverpool link, if Liverpool somehow manage to sneak into 4th, Champions League football will guarantee they get get him (assuming they want him). However if they end up more likely in the Europa League with us, coupled with the fact he may not get regular football - he may have a decision to make. There's obviously going to be new signings in the summer that ML has earmarked and that's fine, but signings we are not planning on due to unforeseen departures are the ones that worry me.
No way will he go to Liverpool for £8 million when Joe went for £15million. Wasn't it touted that Man City wanted Agger for £25 million? No way is Agger £17million better than Ash (and this coming from a person who ain't his greatest fan) Unless of course you know something we don't
watch and learn valley £8 million, He is not worth anymore than that because of age alone, That is what he was going for last season so one year on then if we can still get £8 million then we will be lucky....
Are you willing to guarantee as a FACT that he will be going for £8 million to Liverpool? If he does, I wouldn't mind us tempting Spurs with an 8 million quid offer for Caulker.
I liked the look of Chico and Bartley together back in Jan - forgot who they were against perhaps Arsenal? Would not like to see Ash leave for anything less than crazy money (>10 million) as it would be very tough to find a replacement as good and relaxed on the ball.
love to get caulker but i dont think we would get him for £8 million, maybe £12 but i cant see him leaving spurs to drop down to Swansea on a permanent now.....he has done great for spurs and we have plenty more seasons to go yet before we will be seen as a club of their stature.....
I think that little hints are coming out to let us get used to the idea that he will be off. Hope not to Liverpool!
He's( Chaulker) out of the side at the moment but Dawson was going at the start of this season so thats not to say AVB won't try to sell him again next season .I'd love to him back here but it's highly unlikely
His age means no-one, except possibly an oil club if they were interested, would be willing to pay any more than £8-10m. Depends if Jenkins thinks thats acceptable or not?
