It’s being reported today that Stoke City have returned with an improved bid for Welsh centre-half James Chester.
Stoke City have made a £10m bid for Aston Villa defender James Chester. [simon jones] #avfc
— villareport (@villareport) July 24, 2018
The rumour mill has been full of the speculation about our former Skipper – and likely captain this year if he stays at B6 I would think – and a possible switch to Gary Rowett’s new side and for a long time with growing concern over cash flow and Financial Fair Play, it did appear he would be one of the sacrifices this summer.
That is now less of a concern and if Stoke’s interest in him is genuine they must be kicking themselves that they came in with such an embarrassing offer to begin with – if the new offer is £10million a week ago we’d have probably dealt at that fee as it was the fee most fans agreed they could swallow.
Now, FFP is still an issue and it hasn’t disappeared despite the takeover, but £10million is no longer the price for me as we aren’t as desperate – now we’re into the region of at least £15-18million given other deals in this summers market and this time last year.
It appears fans agree.
If I was in control of Villa I would ask an extra few £Mill from anybody who tried to screw us over when we were facing liquidation. Call it Karma Cash.
— Rob Henry (@brummieinde65) July 24, 2018
If they’d started there 2 weeks ago they may have got him now jog on!!
— David Nealon (@Dpn76) July 24, 2018
That’s an insult
— Jonathan Green (@Jonatha34694361) July 24, 2018
There’s another piece of news doing the rounds – you might have heard of it.
Former Arsenal star and Belgium World Cup coach Thierry Henry is a hot favourite to replace Steve Bruce now we have new owners in, some bookies have suspended bets apparently, and it’s claimed a verbal agreement is in place.
I’m not alone in thinking it would be a mistake, but plenty are excited given his name.
Given this appears to emanate from the Daily Star and has since been picked up on by everyone else who simply regurgitate their words – well I’m sceptical but purely on the basis of the amount of content the Star kicks out, it’s mathematically impossible for them not to occasionally get something right by mistake.
I’m just going to sit and watch and see what happens.
