According to sky there is a release clause in his contract which to quote sky "would allow him to leave for a club like Liverpool in 12 months time". Nowt like taking the gloss of it for us. I hope the clause is a monetary figure something stupud like £25m. If someone is prepared to pay that a year a two down the line it means he'll have done pretty well for us.
TBH if its true I cant say I mind that much. The key was to sign him and ensure we win and we have. If he wanted that clause and without it he would not sign then thats fine, its the lad looking after himself and being something rare these days in football, being honest. Now lets say we sell in 12 months, it would mean he is now a 24 mil player so must have had a cracking season for us so thats good. It means we make a masive profit over 12 months. Would rather the clause was not there but needs must.
This was reported in one of the papers yesterday, and now on SSN. Sunderland have unveiled new signing Connor Wickham - but his contract is understood to have a release clause that would allow one of the 'bigger clubs' who were tracking him, such as Spurs or Liverpool, to poach him next year. Although interested, the Reds and fellow suitors Spurs were not prepared to enter a bidding war with Sunderland - who confirmed Wickham will join the club for an initial £8million fee rising to £12million with add-ons. Wickham - who has only just returned to the UK after representing England at the U21 European Championships - is expected to get plenty of game time on Wearside this season. MORE: Spurs transfer news and rumours Wickham is said to have told Ipswich bosses he preferred a move to Anfield, but when they failed to up their bid he opted for Sunderland. However, speculation suggests his compromise was made only on the condition that his contract contains a figure that would trigger an early release after just 12 months - if a bigger club comes calling and Sunderland don't finish in the European places. MORE: Liverpool transfer news and rumours Any such future price would be more than triple what has been laid out by Sunderland for the 18-year-old, sources have hinted. Wickham's transfer is a strong signal of intent from the Black Cats board to reinvest the funds made available from the big-money sales of Darren Bent to Aston Villa (£24m) and Jordan Henderson to Liverpool (£16m).
well i think its a good thing as you say we will make a load of money and you never know he might love it with us and want to stay!!
Handy little insurance policy should the big clubs come a knockin'. Only problem is it means we cant start a bidding war and end up selling at prices of Carroll proportions. Still, its a hefty fee theyd need to pay anyway.
Honestly how the **** do they know what terms of the contract there is, its a very private matter and quite frankly who cares we will still end up with £25 million to improve the squad so still good business.
When you think - 24m for a 19 year old (and it is reportedly rather than officially) is not bad business by us - guarantees a return on our investment and would give Bruce money to spend next year if it happened
Have to admit I thought exactly this IBWT - the only way anyone will find out these terms is if the players agent goes spouting to the press - which could happen with the leeches they have working for them nowadays - football isn't football any more - it's money (sadly)
EVERY player, good ones anyway, have this in their contract these days. Players who have aspirations to play at the very top of the football tree will want to ensure that should one of the big 4 clubs come knocking, they can leave to join. I dont blame him for that. Knowing this, the club have protected themselves and a £25m clause is fine with me. Anyway, who is to say Liverpool will do any better than us this coming season? I dont think £55m spent on Carroll and Jordan has made them suddenly a champions league club at all. Suarez is class but he cant do it on his own. Another 3 or 4 good additions to our squad and I'd piss myself if little old Sunderland finish higher than the mighty reds. KK rode the crest of good will last season. Lets see how a full season pans out. Would Wickham want to go to a club that finished below us or only on a par? Man Utd - yes. Chelsea - yes but Liverpool right now? Unsure?
If reports of his release clause are true ie. Three times his current value. And his contract with us is potentially 12 Million. Should't his release be triggered at 36 Million.
Sounds like a reasonable idea to me - the lad's looking after his future and being honest about it - we get 3 times what we paid for him if it does happen ! I'm as sceptical as anyone regarding the accuracy of it all mind............
That's crap. One good season with us and he'll be worth way over 24 Million next summer given the mark up on English players, especially Strikers.
We could still get more than the £25m quoted if more than one club came in for him...like a bidding war of sorts?...
I think if one club triggers the release clause its not up to us. So another club would simply have to trigger the clause with the same fee, and the only bidding war would be in terms of who offers the player the best contract.
rather that than someone like redknapp pissing in his ear making him unsettled and having to go for a none-astronomical price
I'm just glad we showed a bit of ambition in taking a gamble with this kid. Lets just enjoy the signing and what ever happens in the future we'll deal with it then, if he triggers any clauses it means he's done well for us and by doing so we could be in a better position.
