Starting line up to fell Forest new saplings ?

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Disgraceful and disgusting if true. Absolutely abhorrent. Not a great example for the younger players in the squad.

We don’t seem quite so cuddly as we were a couple of years ago that is for aure

[WTF11]

Disgraceful and disgusting if true. Absolutely abhorrent. Not a great example for the younger players in the squad.

There is no doubting he was at Leicester as the various pundits etc have described, nor that he came back to LUFC with no deal done. Neither has there been any statement from the player or representatives that he wanted away. Not sure what else IS in doubt?

[Monaco_Totty]

We don’t seem quite so cuddly as we were a couple of years ago that is for aure

Actually feel sorry for the player as he is 'the one' who needs emotional 'cuddles'.

Difficult situation as he ain't guaranteed a starting place, with Gnonto getting the nod & when started his ideal wide-role has been nipped/tucked by JM resulting in some disappointing performances in truth - so I guess a lot serious thinking been going on for him.

Bit cheap at £20 million for starters with Man City getting a chunk but he & his Agent were not keen on rushing any proposed contract talks terms either - so one 'could say' his Agent was hanging on for a bid or a possible renewed Newcastle offer to contemplate as his current contract of 3 years (£2,600,000) runs out Season 2024.

Obviously things change in football transfer mega £££'s deals quickly over the payment finer-detail but it would have been better for LUFC bank balance if he was under a longer contract, all parties know that extended players contracts hold a stronger negotiating position so why the Dec 2022 negotiations stalled I don't know but suggest his age this year (27) & the possibility of getting what we payed for him back created the saga between our Owners self interests & player dilemma.

Summary of events copied from Athletic/Phil Hay.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Actually feel sorry for the player as he is 'the one' who needs emotional 'cuddles'.

Difficult situation as he ain't guaranteed a starting place, with Gnonto getting the nod & when started his ideal wide-role has been nipped/tucked by JM resulting in some disappointing performances in truth - so I guess a lot serious thinking been going on for him.

Bit cheap at £20 million for starters with Man City getting a chunk but he & his Agent were not keen on rushing any proposed contract talks terms either - so one 'could say' his Agent was hanging on for a bid or a possible renewed Newcastle offer to contemplate as his current contract of 3 years (£2,600,000) runs out Season 2024.

Obviously things change in football transfer mega £££'s deals quickly over the payment finer-detail but it would have been better for LUFC bank balance if he was under a longer contract, all parties know that extended players contracts hold a stronger negotiating position so why the Dec 2022 negotiations stalled I don't know but suggest his age this year (27) & the possibility of getting what we payed for him back created the saga between our Owners self interests & player dilemma.

Summary of events copied from Athletic/Phil Hay.

Sometimes seems a little too agreeable and maybe that is why the club ‘took advantage’ maybe step 1 of his assertiveness training it to let his contract run down and go on a free.

JM also spoke highly of him and their friendship - wonder how Jack thinks about that now.

[WTF11]

Sometimes seems a little too agreeable and maybe that is why the club ‘took advantage’ maybe step 1 of his assertiveness training it to let his contract run down and go on a free.

JM also spoke highly of him and their friendship - wonder how Jack thinks about that now.

Not so friendly

[Billyni]

Bit stupid anyway for to sell him to strengthen the hand of a relegation rival.

[Ozwhites]

Is there any possibility that the "near" experience with Leicester was used to get his management to accept Leeds current extension offer...without having to up the ante further?

[WTF11]

Is there any possibility that the "near" experience with Leicester was used to get his management to accept Leeds current extension offer...without having to up the ante further?

Being charitable, I'd like to think that not even the LUFC "executive" could be so monumentally stupid (not to say downright evil) as to play such disgraceful mind-games with player and representatives. Unfortunately, it sounds like just the kind of mendacious, small-minded and childish tripe that they would stoop to.

Just to point out, that no "extension offer" would appear to have been tabled before the visit to Leicester

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Maybe they were going to let him go and then got news of how bad Rodrigo’s injury was

[WTF11]

Maybe they were going to let him go and then got news of how bad Rodrigo’s injury was

You don't construct a player recruitment/sales "strategy" on the off chance that a player already on the squad may or may not get injured during one or more transfer windows. Unless of course you happen to be LUFC and the upper echelons of the club are populated by those who can't see beyond their nose-end, and are prepared to sacrifice a valued and significant player because they don't have the intellectual capacity to do anything better and more long-sighted.