Bronwhill confirms departure

[Rowls]

Odd one, isn't it?

Surely he's received offers but why hasn't he signed for anyone?

[PremierLeagueClass]

Part of me does wonder if there’s something hanging over him. Seems to have had a rough time of late.

[JR1882]

Odd one, isn't it?

Surely he's received offers but why hasn't he signed for anyone?

Very, generally when a player leaves a club on a free (rather than the club not retain him) there is almost always something lined up, especially given that he will have had a very good offer on the table relative to his standing in the game.

First instinct is this was the case but for whatever reason that club has moved on and now he’s in limbo.

When you look at what Sunderland & Leeds have done in midfield it’s big investment and his level isn’t much above that, and those clubs rarely sign anyone pushing 30 on good money.

From following his insta he has been training & looking after himself, could probs start a championship game tomorrow he’s fit as anything even if the premier leagues physicality might be beyond him slightly.

Think the Burnley ship has sailed now, however as a free agent he isn’t bound as strictly by transfer windows so we shall see.

[It Is What It Is]

Well Done Josh....you did a great job for us. Thankyou.
You will be missed... but all the very best to you....you deserve it.

[Goliath]

We made him and offer and he chose to move elsewhere - that's all we know, but it's clear we've washed out hands of him, along with CJ Egan-Riley and James Trafford, given the article the club published following the PFA Awards.

They aren't happy with him are they? Hardly any mention since the end of May. Did we ever get anything put of Parker on the topic. I'd love to hear his honest view.

[Andym26]

Former Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill is considering a huge offer from Saudi Pro League club Al Shabab FC.

Brownhill has held lengthy discussions with head coach Imanol Alguacil regarding a potential move to the Saudi Arabian side.

The club, recently managed by Wolves' current boss Vitor Pereira - are looking to add Brownhill to their ranks as they bid for a title push this season.

It is believed that Al Shabab are willing to offer Brownhill a salary of more than £100,000-a-week.

Since deciding to bring to an end to his time at Burnley - having turned down a new contract - the 29-year-old has had interest from the Premier League and Championship.

Brownhill was named in the PFA Championship team of the year last week after scoring 18 goals from midfield in Burnley’s promotion campaign.

The former Clarets captain is thought to be relaxed about his next steps as he is arguably one of the most attractive free agents in the market and can sign outside of the transfer window.

[box_of_frogs]

He’d be wasted in the Saudi League, but totally get why someone would do it for a couple of years and earn all that tax free cash.

[Procrastinate B]

Good luck to him, whatever he decides. That’s a lot of money.

[beddie]

At that sort of money he has to decide if it’s that lifestyle he wants and where it is. Wasn’t Moyes contemplating bringing him in on for similar money, maybe that was just paper talk. He’ll certainly have some offers. Personally I think he’s still a lot to offer a Premiership club. I wish him well wherever he decides to go.

[Socrates]

Stockport fan at work told me today he’s signing for them.

Was hard to stifle my laughter.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Stockport fan at work told me today he’s signing for them.

Was hard to stifle my laughter.

He might be getting his Brownhill's mixed up and they are signing his brother

[claretonthecoast1882]

If Brownhill is being offered the chance to earn 10m over 2 years tax free he would be crazy to not accept it.

People need to accept for footballers it is their job.

If it is good enough for Ronaldo, Nunez, Mane, Neymar, Benzema and many others then it is good enough for Josh

[Culmclaret]

Tbf he’d be watched by more people at Edgeley Park. Al Shabab ave attendance 5,243. In all seriousness, good luck to him. He did a good job for us. He gave his all last season despite running his contract down.

[Pickles]

Seems like a class lad but we've seen he's not good enough for the Prem. We needed to improve on him. I can see the Prem clubs linked to him being Everton, Wolves or West Ham and I think it'd be a poor signing for them on the rumoured money. Still seeing Burnley fans speculating/hoping that he'll sign back on. Why? He's a cheat code in the Champ but we've had our fair share of seeing him play without the required physicality or technical ability for the Prem.

Don't blame him whatsoever if he signs for Al Shabab. He'd be a fool not to.

[Bowclaret]

Good luck to him and why not. He can’t turn down money like that BUT, we now have better in big Les - much better !

[warksclaret]

Great shame he’s gone but as one poster has said we now have Les and he will be a great addition for us in the PL

[TheFamilyCat]

A shitload of cash and the chance to boot Ronaldo. I think I'd take it.

[clarets1978]

If Brownhill is being offered the chance to earn 10m over 2 years tax free he would be crazy to not accept it.

People need to accept for footballers it is their job.

If it is good enough for Ronaldo, Nunez, Mane, Neymar, Benzema and many others then it is good enough for Josh

Was also good enough for Johan Berg Gudmundsson

[Hibsclaret]

There’s a huge difference in tax between 100k a week at Everton and 100k a week in Saudi.

[fidelcastro]

This must be the new "challenge" he was taking about.

It isn't the word I'd use.

[BurnleyFC]

Great move for him from a financial perspective.

[northeastclaret]

Life shouldn’t just be about money!

[pureclaret]

Life shouldn’t just be about money!

It shouldnt but try living without any , hes net worth at the moment is only about £11 million so over a 2 year deal he could double it tax free , His problem then will getting it back here lol

[Pearcey]

I worked in Saudi for 4 months in the early 90’s and I’d have to say that I’d rather pull my own teeth out than go back there. Hope the money makes him happy though.

[Colburn_Claret]

I worked in Saudi for 4 months in the early 90’s and I’d have to say that I’d rather pull my own teeth out than go back there. Hope the money makes him happy though.

Never been, but I should imagine in 30 years you'd find it unrecognisable.

[Pearcey]

Never been, but I should imagine in 30 years you'd find it unrecognisable.

Nothing to do with how it looks. Can’t stand the country. As corrupt as they come.

[dvalley69]

It shouldnt but try living without any , hes net worth at the moment is only about £11 million so over a 2 year deal he could double it tax free , His problem then will getting it back here lol

Only... he'll have a tough future ahead of him if he doesn't go to Saudi!

[GodIsADeeJay81]

100k a week tax free?
He'd be a fool not to take it

[burnley007]

I hope that's true.
He's earned that chance

[Tufty]

If Brownhill is being offered the chance to earn 10m over 2 years tax free he would be crazy to not accept it.

People need to accept for footballers it is their job.

If it is good enough for Ronaldo, Nunez, Mane, Neymar, Benzema and many others then it is good enough for Josh

So earning money trumps everything else then ?

He's chosen obscurity playing in Saudi Arabia. I mean come on, you surely cant work up any passion or enthusiasm for playing in a dust-bowl of corruption and oppression can you ? Youre just going through the motions and taking you're wheelbarrow of gold back home to count. How can that be furthering your ambition as a player ? Its just furthering your ambition for more money....as though he wasnt already richer enough. Very sad. Thought he had more integrity than that.

[BurnleyFC]

So earning money trumps everything else then ?

He's chosen obscurity playing in Saudi Arabia. I mean come on, you surely cant work up any passion or enthusiasm for playing in a dust-bowl of corruption and oppression can you ? Youre just going through the motions and taking you're wheelbarrow of gold back home to count. How can that be furthering your ambition as a player ? Its just furthering your ambition for more money....as though he wasnt already richer enough. Very sad. Thought he had more integrity than that.

He’d likely be suffering from obscurity playing for us or sitting on the bench this season.

It’s a good move for him. It’s not like he’s got an international future to worry about.

[Venkys4eva]

So earning money trumps everything else then ?

He's chosen obscurity playing in Saudi Arabia. I mean come on, you surely cant work up any passion or enthusiasm for playing in a dust-bowl of corruption and oppression can you ? Youre just going through the motions and taking you're wheelbarrow of gold back home to count. How can that be furthering your ambition as a player ? Its just furthering your ambition for more money....as though he wasnt already richer enough. Very sad. Thought he had more integrity than that.

Are you for real? Do you really think footballers care about all that over money? He's got the chance to make millions and only a complete idiot wouldn't take it.

[Stanbill05]

Why wouldn't he cash in? Literally his job with the added pressure of time limited earning capacity.

[exilecanada]

Has Brownhill confirmed he’s off to Saudi to fill his pockets with ‘black gold, Texas (Saudi) tea’? Swim in his own ‘cement pond’ and eat on a ‘fancy eating table’?

[Tribesmen]

Has Brownhill confirmed he’s off to Saudi to fill his pockets with ‘black gold, Texas (Saudi) tea’? Swim in his own ‘cement pond’ and eat on a ‘fancy eating table’?

Sounds like the Brownhill Hillbillies.

[claretonthecoast1882]

So earning money trumps everything else then ?

He's chosen obscurity playing in Saudi Arabia. I mean come on, you surely cant work up any passion or enthusiasm for playing in a dust-bowl of corruption and oppression can you ? Youre just going through the motions and taking you're wheelbarrow of gold back home to count. How can that be furthering your ambition as a player ? Its just furthering your ambition for more money....as though he wasnt already richer enough. Very sad. Thought he had more integrity than that.

He is free to do as he likes, most people criticising this move if it happened would change jobs for an extra 5k a year.

What should his ambition be ? Play at the highest level - he has done that / Move to a top 6 club - he isn't going to get that / Sign and have a relegation battle in the Prem - he has done that / Sign and win the Championship = he has done that.

Do tell what you think his ambition should be. Questioning his integrity is dumb.

[Newcastleclaret93]

So earning money trumps everything else then ?

He's chosen obscurity playing in Saudi Arabia. I mean come on, you surely cant work up any passion or enthusiasm for playing in a dust-bowl of corruption and oppression can you ? Youre just going through the motions and taking you're wheelbarrow of gold back home to count. How can that be furthering your ambition as a player ? Its just furthering your ambition for more money....as though he wasnt already richer enough. Very sad. Thought he had more integrity than that.

He’s setting up his family for generations and getting to live like a king.

He will be living in an absolute luxury in Saudi with benefits which will probably worth more than his pay his now after tax. That’s before you even take into consideration his salary.

Great move for him, fair play to the lad. I’ve never been his biggest fan but he’s likely going to work 3-4 years in Saudi then retire with 10m in the bank. Absolute no brainer.

[jrgbfc]

Its not somewhere i'd ever want to live, or drag my family off to. Obviously he's free to do as he pleases but i'd rather earn less money and go somewhere like the US/Canada if he still has the option.

[JohnMcGreal]

100k a week tax free?
He'd be a fool not to take it

Maybe it's just me but I think there's something morally questionable about someone who wouldn't want to pay any tax at all on their earnings.

It's sociopathic.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

This weird obsession with footballers who are already millionaires having to move to the Middle East to ‘set themselves up for life’.

[Spijed]

This weird obsession with footballers who are already millionaires having to move to the Middle East to ‘set themselves up for life’.

I think it's fair to say that he'll never spend any money he'll earn in the Middle East, because of what he's already earnt in his career to date.

[jrgbfc]

He’s setting up his family for generations and getting to live like a king.

He will be living in an absolute luxury in Saudi with benefits which will probably worth more than his pay his now after tax. That’s before you even take into consideration his salary.

Great move for him, fair play to the lad. I’ve never been his biggest fan but he’s likely going to work 3-4 years in Saudi then retire with 10m in the bank. Absolute no brainer.

Jordan Henderson obviously got fed up pretty quickly. Personally think its quite sad how many people think there's nothing more to life than just chasing money for the sake of it. He'll already have an extremely good lifestyle.

[Stanbill05]

Jordan Henderson obviously got fed up pretty quickly. Personally think its quite sad how many people think there's nothing more to life than just chasing money for the sake of it. He'll already have an extremely good lifestyle.

You're right. He should chose to stay and play in the Championship again (or struggle to get a game in the Prem) rather than give his family the opportunity to live in complete luxury and establish a financial legacy that should last for generations. But he's already rich enough? What's the cut off before you don't have the option to do what you want any more?

[Newcastleclaret93]

Maybe it's just me but I think there's something morally questionable about someone who wouldn't want to pay any tax at all on their earnings.

It's sociopathic.

I can’t believe there are actually real people that want to pay tax.

[dvalley69]

I can’t believe there are actually real people that want to pay tax.

I can't believe there are actually real people that want everything to be privatised!

[Newcastleclaret93]

I can't believe there are actually real people that want everything to be privatised!

Given how everything the government touches turns to absolute garbage are you really surprised?

[Tribesmen]

Chase happiness not money

[Tufty]

Ok, hands up....if you had everything going for you in life: a job you were happy in and enjoyed doing; no money worries for the rest off your life; a healthy and loving family; and taking home, let's for arguments sake, say £25,000 pay a week after tax. (Something I normally took home after a year) who would not settle for that ?

Quite a few hands going up I see. Understandable.

Then who amongst us would not take the chance if it came along to double their take home pay to £50,000 / week ..... but with no guarantee that you'd be equally happy in your new job -- nor whether your family and others closely around you would be equally as happy?

Hhhmm, I still see quite a few hands spring up.

Ok, now repeat the same questions, ad verbatim......and look yes, more hands still going up !

So, my final question, when is enough enough?

You've already got everything ticked in life that most people would say are the most important things to strive for, health , wealth, loving family, happiness, etc....and yet you continually want more money above everything else.

And those that dont want to chase this seemingly endless pursuit for more money - so that they can "live like a King" (newcastleclaret) are simply idiots (venkys4eva) and therefore cant be "for real !".

[Ric_C]

Prime example of this is Scott Mctominay. Probably took a pay cut to go to Napoli, but he's just won the Scudetto and player of the season whilst being adored by fanatical fans and soaking up the sunshine in southern Italy.

So if he is on 80k a year at Napoli and does this for 3 years. In 30 years time he'll look back on that with the fondest of memories.

Now let's say instead of going to Napoli he chose Al Hilal and was offered £150k a week, then bummed around in half empty stadiums for 3 years. sure the money is good, but I bet in 30 years time the memories will be almost completely forgotten.

There's got to be a point where "how much money is enough" and the core reasons for moves concern the football, environment, and enjoyment rather than X increases in the pay packet.

[Darnhill Claret]

But it doesn't matter what 'we' would do. There is no right answer. It's a free choice.
Just for balance, if I had ever had an opportunity to make a huge amount of money, legally, honestly, over a short period of time, over a maximum of 5 years, I might have taken that opportunity, especially at the age of 29/30/31.
Part of a professional footballer's life can involve a lot of moving around. It comes with the job description. You can choose from different options and it shouldn't be for others to judge you, on those decisions.