Leventhal has just followed that up by saying James Morris has signed a 1yr deal to be backup/U23 etc.
But it would have made great sense to sign what is widely hyped as a pretty sure thing and send him on loan, as seems to be the case with another club. If we could afford it that is. Must say I’m disappointed to see him going elsewhere. And we can probably deduce that the club that the Hibs chairman was moaning about was probably us.
Not overly concerned about Doig, I don't think we're the best place for him, but ffs, imagine some kid who was an absolute country mile away from the Southampton first XI last season actually playing for us
James Morris (rejected by Southampton) on a free transfer or Josh Doig (highly promising left back) for £4-5 million. Simple choice!
It's a great signing. Change of scenery, minutes in the tank, different coaching methods, hates the sea.
Sounds like the clubs planning on signing him are going to immediately loan him out so there must be some concern over his ability to come straight in at this level. Id have loved us to sign Doig because he does look promising but we are clearly ******* broke and not sure it really wise to spend that amount on a backup 2nd/3rd choice left back. That 4-5m can surely be better spent on a midfielder so we don't have to start Gosling / Cleverley.
Yes amazing how we found £4m for a Mogi Bayat player but not £4m for Doig! If Doig reaches the potential that everyone seems to think he has then this seemed like a no-brainer. Every time Duxbury opens his mouth the club go and do the opposite. Chased a young prospect with potentially a big re-sale value but end up signing 31 year old Danny Rose who will probably be on a lot more money instead. Nothing against Danny Rose, I think he'll do well for us.
To be fair it doesnt sound like the amount was the issue. It sounds like Hibs wanted a massive sell on percentage - something I can't ever remember Gino agreeing to. Dux just tells the fans what they want to hear.
I think we do need a 3rd choice left-back (something like a left-back version of Rob Elliot if you get what I mean) for when Masina is away, I know we have Kiko who can fill in there, but it would leave us short on the other side. However, we ain't paying £4-5m for one!
I don't really have an issue with having a youth player as third choice - especially when we have Kiko (and even Ken at a push) who can cover if needed. This lad seems to have done fairly well in the pre season games - fairly sure he got an assist in the behind closed doors game and gather he was reasonable in the West Brom game.
"West Ham were keeping tabs on the 19-year-old but have pulled out of the race...." https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman....der-but-face-competition-from-watford-3330837 Sky Sports News suggested this evening that Arsenal, Chelsea and Celtic are all interested in signing Doig. I wonder whether anyone knows the truth - apart from those clubs who are involved in the deal. One thing, which is almost certain, is that Watford are not one of those clubs. I would love to be wrong on this matter, but I am not hopeful.
Sky sports says "Watford in pole position for Doig". I don't know what to believe. I think we will need him when Rose runs out of puff after 10 minutes.
Well he'll almost certainly play in the cups, which is fine, and if need be I suppose he'll come on for a few minutes here and there in the Prem if the game is wrapped up. Judging by his Twitter he appears to be a fan, which is nice!
They don’t know squat. Nor does AL usually, but he and Ryan Gray are usually reliable at denying stories. I guess it’s a lot easier to ask your sources “So is this rumour BS?” than “Who are we after?”
You can never have too many left backs! Perhaps this is a reaction to the start of last season when Watford did not have any fit left backs.
I've been told by a source that was in direct contact with Doigs agent that we had "first option" on Doig (presumably from signing Mebude + Angelini who are represented by the same agency). I'm not sure exactly how that works as the player would obviously have some say in it and if Chelsea came in with the same bid then he'd obviously choose Chelsea. But that's what I was told, although that was almost a month ago so no idea what's happening now! This sounds like the £50 bet to charity saga all over again.
Asked the question yesterday and got a response this morning. Exact words…. ‘Still hold an interest and talks ongoing. Deal would have been easier to complete a few weeks ago as others interested now.’
Imagine Gino trying to buy a house. Listed at £800k, Gino offers £300k. Comes back 3 months later to offer £350k. He probably still lives with his mum.
Just one unwanted loanee CM from Udinese Reserves and a few purchases to boost Udinese’s squad, and I reckon it’s been an excellent transfer window.
For a guy that doesn't like bidding wars Gino doesn't half fanny about. Clearly could have had this sorted weeks ago, hopefully Doig goes elsewhere and the club will learn a lesson. That last part is unlikely though.
Unless, and I accept this is a reach knowing how Gino does his work and from what the Hibs chairman said - maybe we bid weeks ago but they wanted to know how we would progress his career and we didn’t have a great answer. So we have gone away and lined up a loan for him and have returned with that agreement in place? That would play into what their chairman said at least. Not saying that’s likely but I guess it’s a consideration.
Wouldn't we just lie to them like we do to all the other young players when we sign them? Once they're in the door, then we can ship them out on multiple ill thought out loans or just let them train and never play them (aka the Dahlberg manoeuvre)
On the other hand, Lewis Ferguson has been omitted from the Aberdeen squad today after rumours that a Premier League team has met their valuation
