http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1983301,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=7 Tottenham offer Routledge and Davenport for Young's signature Matt Scott Friday January 5, 2007 The Guardian Tottenham last night stepped up their interest in the Watford forward Ashley Young with a bid that was believed to have included Wayne Routledge and Calum Davenport in exchange. Although Watford fear the pressure is building to the extent that they may have to relinquish Young before their next Premiership match - against Liverpool on January 13 - Tottenham face a tough task in securing the England Under-21 international's signature. There are understood to be five clubs who have made contact over the prospect of recruiting Young, three of which have made firm offers. It is believed that, alongside Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa were the other of the three clubs Watford's manager Aidy Boothroyd alluded to when he said on Wednesday "significant bids" had been lodged for his prize asset. Arsenal are understood to be monitoring the situation and, having tracked Chelsea's £10m wide player Shaun Wright-Phillips, Newcastle and West Ham might also be considered as potential suitors. Young, who joined Watford as a trainee, has appeared in 19 of their 20 Premiership matches this season, hitting three goals, and is considered one of the brightest English prospects in the division. But for all the interested parties, Tottenham's latest move has upped the ante. Tottenham may recall Routledge from his loan at Fulham at any time during this month's transfer window, permitting the package proposal they have put together. Even if the approach fails, the willingness to allow Davenport to leave White Hart Lane is perhaps most telling about Tottenham's transfer market intentions. That the centre-back should be deemed surplus to requirements when the captain, Ledley King, has a recurring thigh injury and Anthony Gardner has failed to convince suggests the north London club are confident of strengthening that area of their side. One target is known to be Birmingham City's £6m left-sided centre-half Matthew Upson. Bung in a couple of million and maybe a future sale clause and I'd say take it. Davenport and Routledge would improve our squad significantly.
Wow, he seems to be the most in-demand player in the Prem at the moment. At this rate I can easily see £8mil for him being reached soon (or maybe £6/7mil and another player), in which case I don't think we would be able to say "no". Whilst Ash has incredible potential, unless we become an establised Premiership club in the next couple of years then I'm not sure he's going to fully realise it here. Also, though he clearly has great potential, apart from a few brief flashes, his form in our most recent games hasn't been anywhere near good enough to suggest that he is going to help keep us up this season, which if we fail to do will mean he will almost certainly be gone at the end of the season anyway. If we got £8mil for him, then who could we get who could fill the void?Earnshaw? McAnuff? I'm not sure what we would do with Davenport, even though he is a very good player we have no need to break-up Jay and Danny. Routeledge could be good instead of Smith. However, I can't really think of anyone who has a similar creative spark to Ash.
Davenport is OK, wouldn't trade him alone for Young. Routledge is alright too. Both of them for Young is a rip-off. Keep Young unless it's a big money offer.
Young is closing in on a £5.5m move to Liverpool, with Watford ready to replace him with £1m Will Hoskins from Rotherham. (Daily Express)
With the amount of interest in Ash i think we should be looking for £7 mio plus. I know that we should not get greedy (I would have taken £6mio plus before) but market forces apply. If Liverpool offered us £6 mio plus Robby Fowler to the end of the season on loan (them covering most of his wages) I would take it. The Spurs deal with Davenport and Routledge in exchange would depend how much cash was also involved. Routledge does not impress me so i would take him out of the equation - Davenport is quality and will only get better when playing regularly. We need a 3rd centre half, not for this season, but to replace an aging Malky. So £4- £5 million and Davenport is a possibility. On the other hand Ash is an avid Gooner - could he bring himself to join Spurs?
The difference is often in the details. What if they had a bid of £5m spread over 2yrs rejected but are now offering £5.5m spread over 1yr? It's all about cash flow.
The Spuds offer is apparently £3million plus the two players. Deal or No Deal Noel?????????????????????????????? Deal in my book
Wages!!! Can we afford them both? Do we want them both - I would take Davenport and pass on Routledge. Davenport plus £5 mill no brainer.
ohhhh... looks like we may be losing Ash personally i rate routledge and davenport, but as Ash is so highly rated, we have to weigh up whether we want to hang on to him for a few weeks and see whether larger bids come in, or take the offer.
I'd say wait. Should we end up not selling him - so what. We'll be stuck with a fantastic player for another 6 months.
I don't think this is the right deal so No. As I said before a good lump of cash with one player would be good. Something like £5 million plus Davenport and add to that a 25% sell-on clause then it is a very easy decision.
I'd be inclined to let him leave if we were offered say £3/4mil, got Routledge (I'm sure Aidy could get the best out of him) and Davenport (who i still think hasn't been given a chance in the Premiership). Players and money would be a better option for us, as we seem to be struggling to attract young, fringe (but established) premiership players.
How do you figure that? We only have two decent centre backs, plus Mackay (no use past the end of this season) and Doyley/Mariappa (hole pluggers at best).
Much like Davenport, Mariappa is an up and coming defender who will be a very good player within the next few years (I'm sure alot of people would agree with me), add in to that that Carlisle may return one day, why do we need him? It's fair enough if you don't agree though mate
I agree with Mariappa being good, but he'll progess now as a right back I'm sure. He looks very competent there. Hence is only a hole filler for centre back. Forgot about Carlisle, sums it up really.
I would sort of agree that we don't need Davenport at the moment, because I wouldn't put him as first-choice ahead of Jay and Danny who we have no reason to change. He would be tremendous back-up and he's an excellent player at Championship level, but I'm not sure he'd be willing to come here to sit on the bench.
not happy.... we should be adding to our squad and first team, not selling!!! what is the point of swapping our only fit class striker for a defender and a winger!!?
We all seem to be over looking the fact that we wouldn't get Routledge in straight away because he's on loan to Fulham! He went their as part of the Steed Malbranque deal! Davenport is crap! I'd much rather hold out for straight cash in the region of £6,000,000 than swap any players! Routledge won't want to play in the championship next season (main reason he left Palarse)! No deal!
I've just seen a rumour that the bids for Young have gone up to £7 million. If this is the case we should take it. However I seriously question my source. http://www.sportinglife.com/footbal.../01/05/SOCCER_Watford_John.html&TEAMHD=soccer
Yeah I was thinking that too, I would like Routledge here, but why include him as part of a deal for Ash when we couldn't even have him yet, we need players to keep us up now, not to come in next season when we're already down, and not want to play for us because we're back in the championship
