I'd have expected a leak by now if we had a replacement lined up, if only from a dodgy agent trying to drum up extra interest (therefore cash) for his player (and himself).
Then again, there are good agents out there. They're not all tossers, like most things the worst type get more press and set a bad stereotype for the rest.
With Palace signing Campbell - what about tempting them with an offer for Dwight Gayle
Or with Spurs reducing numbers - Harry Kane
The leak was burnsy asking Bruce about Deeney , Bruce diplomatically side stepped it. I think the Long deal was under way some time ago with a figure agreed early on. Contrast the speed at which this transfer has moved with the protracted back and forth stuff over Maguire.
If that were the case then it's safe to assume we have been in discussions with a replacement for at least a week.i notice there has been no comment from Bruce none of the verbal bartering that accompanied both the Robertson and Maguire transfers, which again suggests the deal was cut and dried behind closed doors probably with Southampton insisting on an embargo on the story until the price had been fixed and the deal effectively done, possibly to deter other clubs trying to hijack the deal, though I also suspect city extracted a high price as the cost of not publicising we would be prepared to let Long go.
Having said that I've got to say 12 million is a quite amazing sum for a not exactly prolific striker.
The Deeney story has resurfaced immediately after the Long deal was announced, despite Bruce's earlier denials which suggests it has some credence .
It says something about how far we have progressed that we are viewed as a much more attractive proposition than Leicester or QPR.
Any deal for Deeney would involve a significant sum so it would make sense that if we knew Southampton were going to pay 12 million for Long to wait until that deal is done before sealing our move for Deeney.
Would Deeney be a gamble , of course, but so was a certain Ken Wagstaff when we shelled out what was then a massive £40,000 ( a record fee for a third division player at a time when the British transfer record was only 115,000 )
heard Ehab was in London to try and tie up Harry Kane from Spurs
I think it is incredibly likely that Shane Long's replacement will be one of the following:
- Jordan Rhodes
- Troy Deeney
- Conor Wickham
We are all entitled to our opinion but I cannot believe anyone thinks that these players aren't good enough for us and needs to evaluate their delusions of grandeur. Some of the names people are pulling out of thin air are just ridiculous and way out of our league. Names like Remy. Turning your nose up at the above three smacks of bitterness because of Long leaving and that nobody is good enough unless they are out of our league.
Each one of them players is young. Talented. Has potential. Scores goals. Highly regarded. Has sell on value. Already fit.Affordable and would be a great acquisition for the club.
Rickie Lambert was one of the top scorers in the Championship who then went on to score in the Premiership and then player for England and is now at Liverpool. You have to start somewhere and not everyone is blessed with the opportunity of being at a Premiership club.
Alliteratively signing Joel Campbell on loan and signing Will Hughes would be very impressive.
Deeney and Wickham are nothing like Long. You wouldn't replace Huddlestone with Ben Arfa because despite playing in midfield, they are completely different.
One player i would love for City to have a go for would be wilfried Bony at Swansea but i wouldn,t have a clue out much he would cost proberly out of our reach but to me he's quick strong and very powerful
If there is nobody out their suitable then you have to have a plan B.
As long as they put the ball in the back of the net I don't care.
You're analogy about Huddlestone and Ben Arfa is completely different and out of context.
There are many roles for a striker but the ultimate one is to score.