The Sun (Nixon) has stated we are going to back in for Stephens. Maybe we are going to pushed into a move if Marney is injured.

wouldn't surprise me but with Brighton second I would say there is zero chance of it happening

I just wonder if he could force a move. Would hughton risk up setting the squad for the sake of one player?

I just can't see Brighton risking selling him. No matter how much we are realistically prepared to offer.

he tried in the summer and Brighton said no. They don't need to sell him. I would hope by now that our scouting network (??????????) has found a better option

I'll stick my neck out here, but I can't see it happening.

Not for 2.5 million . Did villa not have a bid turned down other week for 7 million ?

Presumably he can now sign a pre contract agreement to join us in summer on a free transfer. That may pressure Brighton into selling him now just so they can get a fee as they would know he wouldn't be re-signing for them.

Vegas Claret wrote:he tried in the summer and Brighton said no. They don't need to sell him. I would hope by now that our scouting network (??????????) has found a better option

This. Although I'm not hopeful.

I don't know why but I have a good feeling about this one.
I think if we come in with a decent offer the player could pull this off.

Barton potentially banned and Marney possibly long term injury means we need cover

kaptin1 wrote:Presumably he can now sign a pre contract agreement to join us in summer on a free transfer. That may pressure Brighton into selling him now just so they can get a fee as they would know he wouldn't be re-signing for them.

Players can only sign pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs.

just had a quick read of the Brighton forum and rightly they are laughing at our rumoured 2.5 million bid.
We need to look elsewhere and we need better.

Where has the £2.5m bid come from? Didn't we have at least £7m rejected in August?

Because his contract is running out, his value drops. In theory anyway.

Really feel we need to widen the parameters and be a little less risk averse when it comes to player recruitment.

I think Brighton have made it pretty clear they're not selling, not for £2.5m or £7m, and this despite the player openly admitting he wanted to leave last summer.

Tbf haven't Brighton just showed losses of over £30million. They could do with all the money they can get

I'd steer well clear until summer. We need to look elsewhere - they won't sell.

They are not going to sell unless they get an offer they can't turn down.
No one is going to offer that money for a player whose contract is running out.
I can maybe see it happening if we stay up but I think we need to look elsewhere for this season.

They're going for promotion and looking very likely to succeed in that now, so with the money that brings in I doubt they'll feel they need to sell anyone at this point. They held firm in the summer and their league position will make it likely they'll hold ever firmer this window.

Tall Paul wrote:Players can only sign pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs.

Not sure that is correct. I think they just have to be within 6 months of the end of their contract and 23 or older.

If we stay up we should be setting our sights a little higher than Dale Stephens. Lower league journeyman for much of his career and he's already in his late 20's.
Would be a decent enough signing if we were in the Championship or planning on being in the Championship.

Might be a gamble for Brighton.
They are clear and looking highly likely to go up with or without Stephens, so they may cash in.

It is correct you can only sign pre contract agreements officially with foreign Clubs. We didn't know for definite where Danny ings was going until his contract had pretty much run out.

SkiptonClaret wrote:If we stay up we should be setting our sights a little higher than Dale Stephens. Lower league journeyman for much of his career and he's already in his late 20's.
Would be a decent enough signing if we were in the Championship or planning on being in the Championship.

The same was said for Hendrick yet he's turning into a good player for us in the Premier league.

Spijed wrote:The same was said for Hendrick yet he's turning into a good player for us in the Premier league.

You've missed my point (partly), Stephens is a two or three years older than Hendrick and, hence, Hendrick is the better bet in terms of a longer term investment.

SkiptonClaret wrote:You've missed my point (partly), Stephens is a two or three years older than Hendrick and, hence, Hendrick is the better bet in terms of a longer term investment.

That would all depend on Stephens' fee - we wouldn't be paying nearly what we paid for Hendrick. And Stephens is only 27 and more than likely a couple of years off his peak.

kaptin1 wrote:Not sure that is correct. I think they just have to be within 6 months of the end of their contract and 23 or older.

It is correct.

I can't see this happening whilst they are pushing for promotion.
Hopefully the club are looking elsewhere.

Certainly need another midfielder with the Marney injury and possible ban for Barton.

DCWat wrote:Because his contract is running out, his value drops. In theory anyway.

his value to Brightons promotion push doesn't though.

We should step in for Hourihane of Barnsley before he goes to Villa.

KRBFC wrote:his value to Brightons promotion push doesn't though.

No that's a valid point, hence my "in theory" comment.

I can't see them letting him go.

Frenchclaret wrote:We should step in for Hourihane of Barnsley before he goes to Villa.

This

Geoff wrote:It is correct.

Didn't Liverpool try to do this with Ings and didn't Man U also do it when they agreed to sign Chris Smalling?

Can you point me to where the rules say it just applies to foreign clubs, because I can't find anything (genuinely interested)?

hourihane looks class. I would take him, offers a bit more flair and attack from the centre of the park.

Also Ryan Kent (Liverpool) looks a decent player wouldn't mind getting him on loan either

No they didn't they didn't have anything official sorted it may have been agreed unofficial. Clubs can't agree deals with players that are out of Contract unless there Contract has or is about to run out I think in the last month or so. Foreign Clubs can agree deals with Players which is why we had the thing about Real Sociadad for Ings but Liverpool didn't/ couldn't confirm until the season had ended effectively. Smalling I think cost United about 10 mill when he left Fulham and was a transfer fee so different although I'm getting old so could be wrong.

Can't be bothered looking but the rule will probably be in the FAs.

Pre contract signing at best.

He won't be coming.

Rather scupper Villa's bid for Hourihane. 4m is a bargain - brilliant player, left footed too. Someone suggested signing him in summer and I said no - regret doubting him now

Sadly to do that would require swift action. Not something we're very good at

SGr wrote:Rather scupper Villa's bid for Hourihane. 4m is a bargain - brilliant player, left footed too. Someone suggested signing him in summer and I said no - regret doubting him now

Sadly to do that would require swift action. Not something we're very good at

Why do you say we're not good at it?

fidelcastro wrote:Why do you say we're not good at it?

Knew it would only be a matter of time until you turned up

Call it a gut feeling after a few recent transfer windows

SGr wrote:Knew it would only be a matter of time until you turned up

Call it a gut feeling after a few recent transfer windows

Yeah, they've been horrendous these last two or three windows... the ones that have seen us win promotion as Champions and now holding our own in the Premier League, a full TEN points clear of the bottom three.

Shocking.

fidelcastro wrote:Yeah, they've been horrendous these last two or three windows... the ones that have seen us win promotion as Champions and now holding our own in the Premier League, a full TEN points clear of the bottom three.

Shocking.

That doesn't mean we do business quickly you clown
I said to get Hourihane we'd need to act fast. Nothing about the state of our thus far excellent season.

SGr wrote:That doesn't mean we do business quickly you clown
I said to get Hourihane we'd need to act fast. Nothing about the state of our thus far excellent season.

How quickly should we do business? As you're obviously an expert.

fidelcastro wrote:How quickly should we do business? As you're obviously an expert.

Did I say that? No.

My opinion is that we should act quickly to find another centre mid if it is indeed true that Dean Marney is nursing a second ACL injury in 2 years.

Do you think we weren't looking anyway?

Transfers take time. It's just the way it is. Get over it.

Oh get a room you two!