I see the Doncaster Chairman, John Ryan has publicly stated that Sharp can leave for £3m. I personally think we should bite their hand off at that price! That's a drop in the ocean of the money we would see if he guaranteed promotion. Papers are reporting that Leicester are sniffing around, especially after he bagged a brace against them Saturday. Wonder whether he will a) stay loyal b) go for the money to someone like Leicester c) come to Saints for less money but a better shot of the Premierdhip and surely a more secure future?
I doubt that Leicester would be interested as they have probably got more strikers than they can play in three sides as it is. Someone would have to go surely. It wouldn't surprise me if West ham made a bid and maybe Middlesboro.
Just saw that aswell. The Chairman sounds as if he is expecting the worse and so trying to drum up interest and get a bidding war going on. The great thing from our point of view is that we are sitting at the top of the league. If our main competitors for his signature are Leicester and Ipswich then we are surely in with a great chance of signing him. I really hope that we see Sharp get on the bus asap, would be a brilliant buy. Seems a down to earth lad, and is practically guaranteed goals.
You would have thought Leicester have their fair share, but apparently they are looking to bolster their attack none the less (but with someone going out the door too). Borough may go for him as you say, could do with the firepower. West Ham though, surely they have enough. I know Baldock is injured atm, but they have Cole, Piquionne, Carew and Sears. West Ham could proove our biggest threat if they are after him, but if he has any sense he would see that he would get a lot more game time with us! Come on Billy, your a red and you know you are!
The fact they appear to have dropped their price indicates that he's expressed that he wants to leave
They haven't dropped their asking price. There's a clause on his contract which states Doncaster have to accept any bid of £3 million next month. For all we know, Donny could be desperate to keep him and see him as their only chance of survival. But their hands are tied because of contract clause.
That clause is a new clause by all accounts. That's why we had a bid of £3.5m accepted and not £3m which is now stated in his contract
Standard thing to have in players contracts, at this time of the year. Agents refer to it as; The "Sale Agreed No Ties Amendment" Clause... Would be a great signing, but would the other chasing pack wave more money at him?
I think West Ham and Leicester both certainly would, but a) both already have at least two decent striking options, and that may put Sharp off, and b) Leicester aren't exactly certain of promotion this season (which is what Sharp is presumably looking for). Leeds, I think it's fairly well known that Mr Bates doesn't look putting his hand in his pocket, so I think they can ruled out. Birmingham are in bad financial shape, and look like shipping a few out next month, so they can be ruled out. Brighton have already spent that sort of money on CMS, so I can't see them doing it again for Sharp. But that is only my opinion. Hull, Cardiff and Boro I don't know. Like us, I think they could all do with another top striker. But I've got no idea on their financial positions, though they are all very much in the promotion mix like ourselves.
Leicester will bid for sharp i'm almost certain. Pearson has a hell of alot of cash to spend on players he wants, not Ericson rejects.
They'd be absoloutely stupiud not to. But the competition of Nugent and Beckford, and/or Leicester's current league position, may persuade Sharp against joining them. But yes, it's plainly obvious that they could afford him and his demands.
Agreed. We all know that Leicester have, and again plan to splash the cash more than we will. However if it comes down to Sharp, Leicester are not even certain to get in the play-offs and have Nugent and Beckford who are likely to be first choice. Same with West Ham and their strikers. We are in such a good position to strengthen the team and squad where we all know needs strengthening. The prize at the end is greater then what we would need to spend to get there even if we splashed the cash a little to give us the best chance of promotion. Plus we have money from the Chambo sale (whether that is for spending or to balance the books i dont know). Am i right in thinking that Sharp has played for Adkins before too? If so thats another string to our bow. We must look appealing to the kind of players that we need to bring in.
At Scunny yes, from November 06 (when Adkins was appointed) to July 07 (when Sharp was sold). Won the League One title together during that time.
Sharp played under Nigel Adkins at Scunthorpe. I'm surprised you're the first to have mentioned that. Adkins was very popular with the players when he was physio there too, so the connection may sway it.
