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Bid rejected for Clarke

Most agents don't comment at all if there's interest. I think he's genuinely saying he's happy here, also the little comments about having Huggins, Sunderland and Harte living in the region himself, make me think he's happy where his lads are at the minute. Let's not forget that if Clarke has another good season being a key player here, his value will only get bigger.

The dig at spurs could also suggest that he thinks the grass isn't always greener.


Some do some don’t. Some particularly don’t with quotes though Maja’s agent even went to the extent of phoning up sky sports go do a live interview 🙈.

Saying nice things about Sunderland and being involved in deals are two entirely different things.

Timing of it just doesn’t sit right but I think it’s an odd piece altogether tbh. It’s been reported recently that three bids have come in but we want to extend his contract to ward off interest but none of that has been commented on either way and it’s finished off by saying Sunderland is dead nice and that but if the price is right…

Then the rest of the article is about interest and transfer fees.

Gut feeling though is he will stay tbh. I certainly don’t think he’s agitating for a move but is is his agents job to get him the best deal possible if clubs are interested.

Puts a bit pressure on the club as well tbh. He’s on a pretty long term deal as it is and if we renew his contract now it will most likely need to make him the highest earner (if he isn’t already) which is a wage uplift that wouldn’t normally be needed right now, and may well be used better in other areas.
 

Most agents don't comment at all if there's interest. I think he's genuinely saying he's happy here, also the little comments about having Huggins, Sunderland and Harte living in the region himself, make me think he's happy where his lads are at the minute. Let's not forget that if Clarke has another good season being a key player here, his value will only get bigger.

The dig at spurs could also suggest that he thinks the grass isn't always greener.

I'm not sure if agents/players view it this way, but: If he goes to Palace (or similar) at the lower end of midtable and doesn't set the world alight/sits on the bench is that good in the long term? As opposed to staying here and dominating in the Championship as a key player at a club aiming for top two, I'd say it might be a less attractive option given where he's been and where he's hoping to go.

Another good showing in a promotion season (or close to it) for us will have bigger clubs taking note and he's still only be 22/23.
 
He'll also likely be thinking of the best for players. Always seemed a good pro, even when he was finished here.

The best for players is all dependant on perspective though. He may see a move to Brentford as best for the player and tbf it probably would be. If he has a season in the prem for them similar to a season he’s had here this season then it will have been a great move for him.

There’s no real right answer really for what’s best for him presuming he’s getting game time.

The Brentford interest is the only one I’m much worried about tbh as I think it will be a good move for him/them. Hoping they just don’t want to pay the fee we want.
 
As soon as I read Hartes statement I thought now he's definitely going.

Hes putting it down as any transfer is down to the board wanting money rather than the player wanting to move.

He's also making it clear that the player is very happy here so it would need much better personal terms to seal a move.

Typical agent bullshit to stir up the interest and get potential new clubs to up the ante.

A move for the kid to a higher league, with a big signing on fee and probably four to five times his current wages, on a four year deal. He would be mad to turn it down tbh.

Hope I'm wrong but if he does go good luck to him, he's been inspirational for us.
 
I'm not sure if agents/players view it this way, but: If he goes to Palace (or similar) at the lower end of midtable and doesn't set the world alight/sits on the bench is that good in the long term? As opposed to staying here and dominating in the Championship as a key player at a club aiming for top two, I'd say it might be a less attractive option given where he's been and where he's hoping to go.

Another good showing in a promotion season (or close to it) for us will have bigger clubs taking note and he's still only be 22/23.
On the flip side of this, why not go to Palace where Eze and Olise have flourished in recent years and use it as a springboard to a potential top 6 move or in Eze’s case, an England call up. My gut is that Palace are preparing for one of those 2 or Zaha to move on, so they’re looking to fill a void.

They can still fuck off with that bid, mind.
 
As soon as I read Hartes statement I thought now he's definitely going.

Hes putting it down as any transfer is down to the board wanting money rather than the player wanting to move.

He's also making it clear that the player is very happy here so it would need much better personal terms to seal a move.

Typical agent bullshit to stir up the interest and get potential new clubs to up the ante.

A move for the kid to a higher league, with a big signing on fee and probably four to five times his current wages, on a four year deal. He would be mad to turn it down tbh.

Hope I'm wrong but if he does go good luck to him, he's been inspirational for us.
I had the same instinct, but the contract would obviously be loads better for a premier team. Barely needs saying

I thought we’d keep him until I saw the piece about 4 clubs bidding. It’s a matter of time now imo. If 4 premier league clubs are already bidding for him in late May, he’ll likely be away
 
On the flip side of this, why not go to Palace where Eze and Olise have flourished in recent years and use it as a springboard to a potential top 6 move or in Eze’s case, an England call up. My gut is that Palace are preparing for one of those 2 or Zaha to move on, so they’re looking to fill a void.

They can still fuck off with that bid, mind.
I’d say because he’s happy here, likes the coach and is the first name on the team sheet. He has already had the experience of being surplus and loaned out all over the shop. That happening again at this stage would derail his progress.

Might be worth the risk for a top side, but palace?
 
On the flip side of this, why not go to Palace where Eze and Olise have flourished in recent years and use it as a springboard to a potential top 6 move or in Eze’s case, an England call up. My gut is that Palace are preparing for one of those 2 or Zaha to move on, so they’re looking to fill a void.

They can still fuck off with that bid, mind.

I think he gets games at Brentford but would be a slow burner at Palace but that might change if any of the ones you have mentioned go.

I think Brentford is the best move for him but I’m hoping they spunk a fortune on a striker instead.
 
Some do some don’t. Some particularly don’t with quotes though Maja’s agent even went to the extent of phoning up sky sports go do a live interview 🙈.

Saying nice things about Sunderland and being involved in deals are two entirely different things.

Timing of it just doesn’t sit right but I think it’s an odd piece altogether tbh. It’s been reported recently that three bids have come in but we want to extend his contract to ward off interest but none of that has been commented on either way and it’s finished off by saying Sunderland is dead nice and that but if the price is right…

Then the rest of the article is about interest and transfer fees.

Gut feeling though is he will stay tbh. I certainly don’t think he’s agitating for a move but is is his agents job to get him the best deal possible if clubs are interested.

Puts a bit pressure on the club as well tbh. He’s on a pretty long term deal as it is and if we renew his contract now it will most likely need to make him the highest earner (if he isn’t already) which is a wage uplift that wouldn’t normally be needed right now, and may well be used better in other areas.

We'll have to agree to disagree.

I think he's playing us up as a club to be at, rather than trying to flog his wears, but like I've said, each to their own n all that.
 
I had the same instinct, but the contract would obviously be loads better for a premier team. Barely needs saying

I thought we’d keep him until I saw the piece about 4 clubs bidding. It’s a matter of time now imo. If 4 premier league clubs are already bidding for him in late May, he’ll likely be away
Hope we are both wrong. 🥹🥹🥹
 
I’d say because he’s happy here, likes the coach and is the first name on the team sheet. He has already had the experience of being surplus and loaned out all over the shop. That happening again at this stage would derail his progress.

Might be worth the risk for a top side, but palace?
Totally agree with you there, and for his development he clearly needs games, confidence and consistency as he’s still very raw, and we’ll happily play him every week.
 
He'll also likely be thinking of the best for players. Always seemed a good pro, even when he was finished here.
Agents don't work like that.

They are parasites.

He'll try and push through the biggest deal to get his cut. He will then approach other kids and say look at the deal I got for him, sign with me.

To me they are in the same bracket as solicitors and estate agents.
 
As soon as I read Hartes statement I thought now he's definitely going.

Hes putting it down as any transfer is down to the board wanting money rather than the player wanting to move.

He's also making it clear that the player is very happy here so it would need much better personal terms to seal a move.

Typical agent bullshit to stir up the interest and get potential new clubs to up the ante.

A move for the kid to a higher league, with a big signing on fee and probably four to five times his current wages, on a four year deal. He would be mad to turn it down tbh.

Hope I'm wrong but if he does go good luck to him, he's been inspirational for us.
I didn't read it as he's definitely going but more a 'if you want him you're going to have to offer a big contract and transfer fee'. I think Clarke and Harte are in a good position here, either stay and keep developing or get a massive wage elsewhere.
 
I think that’ll be the test this year. Last season was a bit of a free hit so signings like Bennette, Michut and Ba could play without (relative) expectation.

This season will be different as expectation has risen and people will want progress on last term. With no Amad and uncertainty over Clarke and Stewart, any recruits will have to be more ready made than players like Bennette, Ba and Michut.

Hopefully we see new contacts for Clarke and Stewart and don’t have to worry too much about this!

The theory would be that Ba and Bennette are ready either this year or next to be regular players in the team. Like Hume is this year.

Ba seems like he could easily be at least an often used sub by year end. Bennette I am not sure at all
 
The theory would be that Ba and Bennette are ready either this year or next to be regular players in the team. Like Hume is this year.

Ba seems like he could easily be at least an often used sub by year end. Bennette I am not sure at all
Apparently Ba is very highly rated at the club.

I must admit up to now I've been very impressed. Once he starts to fill out a bit I think we've got a player.
 
As soon as I read Hartes statement I thought now he's definitely going.

Hes putting it down as any transfer is down to the board wanting money rather than the player wanting to move.

He's also making it clear that the player is very happy here so it would need much better personal terms to seal a move.

Typical agent bullshit to stir up the interest and get potential new clubs to up the ante.

A move for the kid to a higher league, with a big signing on fee and probably four to five times his current wages, on a four year deal. He would be mad to turn it down tbh.

Hope I'm wrong but if he does go good luck to him, he's been inspirational for us.
A lot here probably right, but even if it’s all right, it’s also serves to jack up the fee. As well as all the above, he’s also making it clear that Clarke won’t force a move and implying current bids are nowhere near the mark.

Which is right. For a club where we are, every player has a price. I hope he stays, but I’d definitely sell him for silly money. I’d back our board to spend it well and get a few players in that are as good.

If the board sell him for £15m we should be raging.
 
I’d say because he’s happy here, likes the coach and is the first name on the team sheet. He has already had the experience of being surplus and loaned out all over the shop. That happening again at this stage would derail his progress.

Might be worth the risk for a top side, but palace?
Not forgetting hes from york which is fairly local and he has already had a dose of London's bright lights.
 
I wonder how much safc are offering to Clarke re an improved contract, £25k per week up from & 10-12k?

Probably still £10k lower than what Brentford might be expected to pay. As a yard stick Lewis Potter supposedly on £35K pw, based on nowt more than numbers thrown up by internet searches.
 
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