Albion have second bid for Dutch defender turned down (From The Argus)

VegasSeagull wrote:
It seems very clear that Gronigen do not want to let this player go right now, and that they relaise just how much we want him.
I think we have to face the fact that either we are going to have to pay an inflated price or move on to target number two. Just as with Ulloa we could come back for Dijk in the future with a fresh bid.
I think we are being held to ransom based on our need and theirs.

VegasSeagull wrote:
This deal could go to the last few hours of the window and I say that because I think it possible that Bridcutt could go giving us extra funds, even after we have bought his replacement.

It is no secret that Bidcutt is on a few prem teams lists of possibles and that could drive his price into the 5 million bracket.

I am not advocating the sale of Bridcutt but I do see the possibility of it happening.

Cardiffcgull wrote:
It's a game of Poker!!

My money is on Mr Bloom.

Falmer Wizard wrote:
He would be a useful addition but we should not pay silly money,we can remain in the top half of the table without him.
Next season we could be without Bridcutt,Bridges and our goalkeeper so Gus will have to be busy in the summer.

Howie2 wrote:
Gus could use his influence to obtain Coates on loan from Liverpool. He would be excellent cover for Greer's absence and would be delighted to work with Gus.

mikeygit wrote:
Certainly a game of cat 'n mouse. Gronigen have said they would advise BHA not to go back with another offer--brinkmanship?

? We only have 3 days left to find out and also IF there is another player due at The Amex on loan. On another subject--what do posters think of the Seagulls Website--personally not so easy to get around as their old site---do not like it.

mikeygit wrote:
Certainly a game of cat 'n mouse. Gronigen have said they would advise BHA not to go back with another offer--brinkmanship? ? We only have 3 days left to find out and also IF there is another player due at The Amex on loan. On another subject--what do posters think of the Seagulls Website--personally not so easy to get around as their old site---do not like it.

bruce beckett wrote:
Looks like this Dutch lad could cost as much as Lewis Dunk was once valued at by Albion. What a shame he hasn't progressed as we hoped. Still time for him (provided he's available for selection), but did the rave reviews he was given by Gus and others go to his head I wonder?

saraman wrote:
With the new boy Ulloa giving us more attacking potency there will be less pressure on the midfield and therefore the defence. That being the case I don't think we should break the bank to land Dijk. A loan player would be the answer to cover our defensive postion with a view to buy if he measures up. Also it's not all down to the selling club to say to whom he goes. The player himself will have a big say in it. No point in the lad going to Sunderland and spending the rest of the season in the reserves. If he comes to us he will know he will go straight into the side. Also he must have been chuffed by the fact that Gus took the trouble to fly out to Holland to see him. I still feel tentively hopeful.

Howie2 wrote:
Gus could use his influence to obtain Coates on loan from Liverpool. He would be excellent cover for Greer's absence and would be delighted to work with Gus.

BobbyLaverick wrote:

Howie2 wrote: Gus could use his influence to obtain Coates on loan from Liverpool. He would be excellent cover for Greer's absence and would be delighted to work with Gus.

I hope you're not serious. If you saw Coates yesterday, then you would realise that he was instrumental in Liverpool's defeat. If he appears that uncertain and uncomfortable against the likes of Oldham, who are in league free fall, then Gus is hardly likely to give him even a passing thought. But what do I know?

mark by the sea wrote:

saraman wrote:
With the new boy Ulloa giving us more attacking potency there will be less pressure on the midfield and therefore the defence. That being the case I don't think we should break the bank to land Dijk. A loan player would be the answer to cover our defensive postion with a view to buy if he measures up. Also it's not all down to the selling club to say to whom he goes. The player himself will have a big say in it. No point in the lad going to Sunderland and spending the rest of the season in the reserves. If he comes to us he will know he will go straight into the side. Also he must have been chuffed by the fact that Gus took the trouble to fly out to Holland to see him. I still feel tentively hopeful.

Yes but looking ahead, elabd not quick enough, GG getting to old, plus we need premiership players.

fairweathersupporter wrote:
Not too much money on someone relatively untried though... If it is £4 million, that's possibly too much.

GosportGull wrote:
We got Bridcutt from Chelsea ..maybe Gus can use his influence to get a short term cover for CB or us again from them .. Bridcutt was a loan player first if i remember correctly ...

I think TB should be cagey and call their bluff ... I wouldnt pay over the odds for a player that potentially has a future but is currently playing in a losing side ! GG

russellsnr2 wrote:
Maybe I am missing something on this, then I am getting on a bit. Why would Gus spend the time to fly out there? he must have or the club must have contacted Groningen and the players agent agent if not the player himself concerning the increased offer before wasting time in a flight, although not to far to go.

ballantrrae wrote:

fairweathersupporter wrote:
Not too much money on someone relatively untried though... If it is £4 million, that's possibly too much.

One of the problems we face Fairweathersupporter is that the Euro has strengthened markedy in the last couple of weeks.
9 January £1 = Euro 1.2273 (closing)
At the end of last week (Friday)
25 January £1 = Euro 1.1730
According to Sky our second bid was Euro 2.4 million.
On 9 January that was £1,955,512
On 25 January it was £2,046,036.
This is an increase of just over £90,000.
At 18.50 tonight the exchange rate was Euro 1.1658 which represents a further increase in sterling of £12,600.
I would agree with you that £4 million is probably beyond our Budget. If we were going to spend that amount of money I would hope that we could sign two players, a CB and a powerhouse midfielder.
However we obviously need another CB and with only 3 days left in the transfer window we can't afford to hang around. One solution might be to make a loan signing to cover ourselves but continue to try and acquire a different CB permanently.
Thoughts anyone like Captain Haddock, VegasSeagull, SMF20, MBTS, Dr Baldhead, Fratsomrover, Hovite, Farside, Alan G Skinner and other regular posters ?

Old Scrote of the Amex wrote:

mark by the sea wrote:

saraman wrote:
With the new boy Ulloa giving us more attacking potency there will be less pressure on the midfield and therefore the defence. That being the case I don't think we should break the bank to land Dijk. A loan player would be the answer to cover our defensive postion with a view to buy if he measures up. Also it's not all down to the selling club to say to whom he goes. The player himself will have a big say in it. No point in the lad going to Sunderland and spending the rest of the season in the reserves. If he comes to us he will know he will go straight into the side. Also he must have been chuffed by the fact that Gus took the trouble to fly out to Holland to see him. I still feel tentively hopeful.

Yes but looking ahead, elabd not quick enough, GG getting to old, plus we need premiership players.

Greer has only just turned 32 - since when was that "getting too old"? He still has another two seasons in him, at least.

Old Scrote of the Amex wrote:
MBTS - so you're saying he's not too old, just not good enough? Why mention his age, then?

mark by the sea wrote:

Old Scrote of the Amex wrote:
MBTS - so you're saying he's not too old, just not good enough? Why mention his age, then?

Not at all, but come summer, GG. Will want a two year deal at least, sadly he won't be good enough for the premiership at 33 years of age, the club can't really offer him more than one year if we don't go up this year.
Club may offer him a 18 month deal, or he could drop down a league and get a three year deal.

ballantrrae wrote:

fairweathersupporter wrote:
Not too much money on someone relatively untried though... If it is £4 million, that's possibly too much.

One of the problems we face Fairweathersupporter is that the Euro has strengthened markedy in the last couple of weeks.
9 January £1 = Euro 1.2273 (closing)
At the end of last week (Friday)
25 January £1 = Euro 1.1730
According to Sky our second bid was Euro 2.4 million.
On 9 January that was £1,955,512
On 25 January it was £2,046,036.
This is an increase of just over £90,000.
At 18.50 tonight the exchange rate was Euro 1.1658 which represents a further increase in sterling of £12,600.
I would agree with you that £4 million is probably beyond our Budget. If we were going to spend that amount of money I would hope that we could sign two players, a CB and a powerhouse midfielder.
However we obviously need another CB and with only 3 days left in the transfer window we can't afford to hang around. One solution might be to make a loan signing to cover ourselves but continue to try and acquire a different CB permanently.
Thoughts anyone like Captain Haddock, VegasSeagull, SMF20, MBTS, Dr Baldhead, Fratsomrover, Hovite, Farside, Alan G Skinner and other regular posters ?

Hovite wrote:
MBTS; Rio Ferdinand is 34 and still going strong. Yes we need to improve in these areas and both GG and El Abd, even if second choices have a role to play for more years than you mention.

We are not going to tell either of them to go any time soon.

ballantrrae wrote:

fairweathersupporter wrote:
Not too much money on someone relatively untried though... If it is £4 million, that's possibly too much.

One of the problems we face Fairweathersupporter is that the Euro has strengthened markedy in the last couple of weeks.
9 January £1 = Euro 1.2273 (closing)
At the end of last week (Friday)
25 January £1 = Euro 1.1730
According to Sky our second bid was Euro 2.4 million.
On 9 January that was £1,955,512
On 25 January it was £2,046,036.
This is an increase of just over £90,000.
At 18.50 tonight the exchange rate was Euro 1.1658 which represents a further increase in sterling of £12,600.
I would agree with you that £4 million is probably beyond our Budget. If we were going to spend that amount of money I would hope that we could sign two players, a CB and a powerhouse midfielder.
However we obviously need another CB and with only 3 days left in the transfer window we can't afford to hang around. One solution might be to make a loan signing to cover ourselves but continue to try and acquire a different CB permanently.
Thoughts anyone like Captain Haddock, VegasSeagull, SMF20, MBTS, Dr Baldhead, Fratsomrover, Hovite, Farside, Alan G Skinner and other regular posters ?

fratsomrover wrote:

ballantrrae wrote:

fairweathersupporter wrote:
Not too much money on someone relatively untried though... If it is £4 million, that's possibly too much.

One of the problems we face Fairweathersupporter is that the Euro has strengthened markedy in the last couple of weeks.
9 January £1 = Euro 1.2273 (closing)
At the end of last week (Friday)
25 January £1 = Euro 1.1730
According to Sky our second bid was Euro 2.4 million.
On 9 January that was £1,955,512
On 25 January it was £2,046,036.
This is an increase of just over £90,000.
At 18.50 tonight the exchange rate was Euro 1.1658 which represents a further increase in sterling of £12,600.
I would agree with you that £4 million is probably beyond our Budget. If we were going to spend that amount of money I would hope that we could sign two players, a CB and a powerhouse midfielder.
However we obviously need another CB and with only 3 days left in the transfer window we can't afford to hang around. One solution might be to make a loan signing to cover ourselves but continue to try and acquire a different CB permanently.
Thoughts anyone like Captain Haddock, VegasSeagull, SMF20, MBTS, Dr Baldhead, Fratsomrover, Hovite, Farside, Alan G Skinner and other regular posters ?

I admire your maths Balantrrae ! The exchange rate is very relevant here and you so correctly point out, the price to us can increase £90K just because of the rate of the day. A dilemma for us as we definitely need another centre back. Adam El Abd has had his shortcomings cruelly exposed of late ( Watford, Blackburn, Arsenal) and with Greer injured and Dunk otherwise indisposed, it is a major problem. We have to sign someone and if it is not going to be Van Dyke, Gus will have to have another target lined up. We have the young Latvian, but not fair to thrust him into the fore just yet. It's a tough call but it is a necessity for a top 6 finish.

ballantrrae wrote:

fairweathersupporter wrote:
Not too much money on someone relatively untried though... If it is £4 million, that's possibly too much.

One of the problems we face Fairweathersupporter is that the Euro has strengthened markedy in the last couple of weeks.
9 January £1 = Euro 1.2273 (closing)
At the end of last week (Friday)
25 January £1 = Euro 1.1730
According to Sky our second bid was Euro 2.4 million.
On 9 January that was £1,955,512
On 25 January it was £2,046,036.
This is an increase of just over £90,000.
At 18.50 tonight the exchange rate was Euro 1.1658 which represents a further increase in sterling of £12,600.
I would agree with you that £4 million is probably beyond our Budget. If we were going to spend that amount of money I would hope that we could sign two players, a CB and a powerhouse midfielder.
However we obviously need another CB and with only 3 days left in the transfer window we can't afford to hang around. One solution might be to make a loan signing to cover ourselves but continue to try and acquire a different CB permanently.
Thoughts anyone like Captain Haddock, VegasSeagull, SMF20, MBTS, Dr Baldhead, Fratsomrover, Hovite, Farside, Alan G Skinner and other regular posters ?

SMF20 wrote:

ballantrrae wrote:

fairweathersupporter wrote:
Not too much money on someone relatively untried though... If it is £4 million, that's possibly too much.

One of the problems we face Fairweathersupporter is that the Euro has strengthened markedy in the last couple of weeks.
9 January £1 = Euro 1.2273 (closing)
At the end of last week (Friday)
25 January £1 = Euro 1.1730
According to Sky our second bid was Euro 2.4 million.
On 9 January that was £1,955,512
On 25 January it was £2,046,036.
This is an increase of just over £90,000.
At 18.50 tonight the exchange rate was Euro 1.1658 which represents a further increase in sterling of £12,600.
I would agree with you that £4 million is probably beyond our Budget. If we were going to spend that amount of money I would hope that we could sign two players, a CB and a powerhouse midfielder.
However we obviously need another CB and with only 3 days left in the transfer window we can't afford to hang around. One solution might be to make a loan signing to cover ourselves but continue to try and acquire a different CB permanently.
Thoughts anyone like Captain Haddock, VegasSeagull, SMF20, MBTS, Dr Baldhead, Fratsomrover, Hovite, Farside, Alan G Skinner and other regular posters ?

I think that your observation is a very valid one my friend.

We may have a few more pounds these days but that doesn't mean we should just take things like this on the chin without some thought going in to it.

A possible solution might be that we agree a Euro based fee with Virgils club where we pay 1/2 upfront and the other half within the next 3 years, thus we have the opportunity to potentially break even on the deal should the exchange rate improve in the Pounds favour.
There could be an added provision in the sale/purchase that says that should we reach the Premiership within the 3 years then we pay the outstanding balance immediately.
This way both Groningen get what they want and we have the opportunity to pat a reduced fee or one that is more than affordable due to the money received for reaching the promised land.

Just a thought.

Uta