Summer 2021 Transfer Thread.

[Worthy4England]

but then Sharon probably is the sort of owner who would stick to her word even if just a pre-covid handshake.....

And doesn't that just serve to highlight what an absolute horrible c*nt Ken Anderson was, and no doubt still is.

Not that much work was needed with the highlighter pen!

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I've no idea how you'd enforce it but didn't we agree not to sign anyone from Barrow from a couple of years?

I'd be stunned if there isn't restrictive covenant in Evatt's contract.

Not sure it's the mechanics of putting clauses into contracts, Brucie. As legal entities, Evatt wouldn't be signing the players, Bolton would, so they'd need some sort of contract with the Club, which I doubt are allowed under the League's rules...we might have a verbal agreement with them. They had all the who-haa around loan players playing against their owning Club a few years back, didn't they?

I don't think the league can stop an agreement between two clubs not to sign players from each other or whatever. I suspect any agreement would be as flimsy as they come and unenforceable by any law and the league certainly wouldn't enforce it...but then Sharon probably is the sort of owner who would stick to her word even if just a pre-covid handshake.....

Indeed, and Evatt seems honourable too – he didn't *have* to thank Barrow within five minutes of winning promotion with Bolton. That didn't seem like gesture politics, it seemed genuine gratitude and best wishes.

As you say I think *legally* any agreement – would be non-binding, but *ethically* both Evatt and Brittan would want to stick to it. As noted by Bruce, it's another reason this promotion feels so much more honourable than the last one (with no disrespect to Parky, a decent man in indecent circumstances).

However, it'd be interesting to know what exactly the 'deal' was. That Bolton wouldn't approach *contracted* Barrow players for, I dunno, three years? After all, when Evatt joined we were under at least one more year's embargo, so we couldn't offer a fee anyway. And any players coming out of contract could surely claim constraint of trade if they're disbarred from talking to suitors.

Guess most of it will come out in the wash. If I recall correctly, clubs have until the end of May to offer extensions to their contracted players, who can speak to other clubs from June 1 (in this country; they can speak to clubs abroad from January 1).

My question would be: is Joel Dixon the best goalkeeper for the job in League One? I can understand that they've been somewhat burned by The Crellin Experience but surely it's been a top scouting priority to find a new glove-wearer who wasn't born during the Falklands War.

[BWFC_Insane]

I've no idea how you'd enforce it but didn't we agree not to sign anyone from Barrow from a couple of years?

I'd be stunned if there isn't restrictive covenant in Evatt's contract.

Not sure it's the mechanics of putting clauses into contracts, Brucie. As legal entities, Evatt wouldn't be signing the players, Bolton would, so they'd need some sort of contract with the Club, which I doubt are allowed under the League's rules...we might have a verbal agreement with them. They had all the who-haa around loan players playing against their owning Club a few years back, didn't they?

I don't think the league can stop an agreement between two clubs not to sign players from each other or whatever. I suspect any agreement would be as flimsy as they come and unenforceable by any law and the league certainly wouldn't enforce it...but then Sharon probably is the sort of owner who would stick to her word even if just a pre-covid handshake.....

Indeed, and Evatt seems honourable too – he didn't *have* to thank Barrow within five minutes of winning promotion with Bolton. That didn't seem like gesture politics, it seemed genuine gratitude and best wishes.

As you say I think *legally* any agreement – would be non-binding, but *ethically* both Evatt and Brittan would want to stick to it. As noted by Bruce, it's another reason this promotion feels so much more honourable than the last one (with no disrespect to Parky, a decent man in indecent circumstances).

However, it'd be interesting to know what exactly the 'deal' was. That Bolton wouldn't approach *contracted* Barrow players for, I dunno, three years? After all, when Evatt joined we were under at least one more year's embargo, so we couldn't offer a fee anyway. And any players coming out of contract could surely claim constraint of trade if they're disbarred from talking to suitors.

Guess most of it will come out in the wash. If I recall correctly, clubs have until the end of May to offer extensions to their contracted players, who can speak to other clubs from June 1 (in this country; they can speak to clubs abroad from January 1).

My question would be: is Joel Dixon the best goalkeeper for the job in League One? I can understand that they've been somewhat burned by The Crellin Experience but surely it's been a top scouting priority to find a new glove-wearer who wasn't born during the Falklands War.

I'm betting Gilks starts next season and I suspect finding a better keeper won't be that easy. But I've no issue with that. I think he's easily got another season in him, and its a great story. A younger keeper to slowly evolve and take over is what we'll do I think.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I'm betting Gilks starts next season and I suspect finding a better keeper won't be that easy. But I've no issue with that. I think he's easily got another season in him, and its a great story. A younger keeper to slowly evolve and take over is what we'll do I think.

I can see that idea, but Joel Dixon's 27 and hadn't played League football till this season.

Maybe he's the third option. One old guy, one promising youth and one in the middle.

[BWFC_Insane]

I'm betting Gilks starts next season and I suspect finding a better keeper won't be that easy. But I've no issue with that. I think he's easily got another season in him, and its a great story. A younger keeper to slowly evolve and take over is what we'll do I think.

I can see that idea, but Joel Dixon's 27 and hadn't played League football till this season.

Maybe he's the third option. One old guy, one promising youth and one in the middle.

Assuming that talk is right. I mean I'd be pretty worried by Dixon but more so Cole Stockton in mentioned in that tweet from Alan Nixon. Stockton has 53 league one appearances and scored 5 times as a striker. His record in league 2 is better just a shade under 1 in 5. But essentially from what I can see is if you took this season out as a potential outlier...his record doesn't even look average league 2 journeyman.

Not sure if Nixon really has the inside track anymore but neither of those names fill me with confidence especially Stockton!

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Assuming that talk is right. I mean I'd be pretty worried by Dixon but more so Cole Stockton in mentioned in that tweet from Alan Nixon. Stockton has 53 league one appearances and scored 5 times as a striker. His record in league 2 is better just a shade under 1 in 5. But essentially from what I can see is if you took this season out as a potential outlier...his record doesn't even look average league 2 journeyman.

Not sure if Nixon really has the inside track anymore but neither of those names fill me with confidence especially Stockton!

Indeed. Wouldn't surprise me if we sniffed round Carlos Mendes Gomes though...

[BWFC_Insane]

Assuming that talk is right. I mean I'd be pretty worried by Dixon but more so Cole Stockton in mentioned in that tweet from Alan Nixon. Stockton has 53 league one appearances and scored 5 times as a striker. His record in league 2 is better just a shade under 1 in 5. But essentially from what I can see is if you took this season out as a potential outlier...his record doesn't even look average league 2 journeyman.

Not sure if Nixon really has the inside track anymore but neither of those names fill me with confidence especially Stockton!

Indeed. Wouldn't surprise me if we sniffed round Carlos Mendes Gomes though...

I'd heard we were. I suspect one who might be too expensive and out of reach but we'll see. Looks very good whenever I've seen him. Though again all based off this one season. But he's only 22.

Dioufy might have a word?

[brommers95]

Carlos Mendes Gomes is bound to have plenty of suitors. There are, unsurprisingly, a lot of strong rumours about him already with the season he's just had (15 goals and 5 assists playing at LW)

Would take a fee to land him as Morecambe have the option to trigger a contract extension, which they will obviously do.

Think he might be a little out of our budget. Certainly going to be an intriguing summer though, I'm keen to see if we do sign any players for a fee.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Right then, here's a list of League One players with lapsing contracts. As ever, I make no great claims to its veracity; most of it was borrowed from a local paper story a fortnight ago, but I've also added in some clubs they unaccountably ignored (hometime? deadline? work-experience lad died of boredom?) with info from Transfermarkt. I've also included the players the clubs have loaned in, even though their parent-club contracts are not necessarily expiring, because they might include some potential targets for us.

Again, what this shows is a big old turnover of playing staff. No bad thing for us.

EDIT I'll endeavour to update this (in blue) as clubs announce their retained list, but I can't promise I'll be super-diligent


* club has option to extend contract

PROMOTED TEAMS

Hull (6 contracted players plus 3 loanees)
Reece Burke*
Jordy De Wijs*
Brandon Fleming*
Alfie Jones*
George Long*
Josh Magennis*
Regan Slater (loan)
Dan Crowley (loan)
Gavin Whyte (loan)

Peterborough
Louis Reed – RELEASED
Niall Mason – RELEASED
Frazer Blake-Tracy – RELEASED
Sam Cartwright – RELEASED
Archie Jones – RELEASED
Brad Rolt – RELEASED
Mo Eisa – TRANSFER-LISTED
Daniel Gyollai – TRANSFER-LISTED
Serhat Tasdemir – TRANSFER-LISTED
Ryan Broom – TRANSFER-LISTED
Reece Brown (loan - Huddersfield)
Josef Bursik (loan - Stoke)

PLAY-OFF CONTENDERS

Blackpool (8 + 4)
Alex Fojticek*
Ollie Turton
James Husband*
Luke Garbutt
Nathan Shaw*
Grant Ward*
Sullay Kaikai*
Gary Madine
Dan Ballard (loan)
Jordan Gabriel (loan)
Elliot Embleton (loan)
Ellis Simms (loan)

Sunderland (17 + 3)
Remi Matthews
Lee Burge
Grant Leadbitter
Aiden McGeady
Max Power
Oliver Younger
Josh Scowen
Anthony Patterson*
Benji Kimpioka*
Charlie Wyke
Chris Maguire
Conor McLaughlin
Jordan Willis
Callum McFadzean
Denver Hume
Luke O'Nien
George Dobson
Dion Sanderson (loan)
Jordan Jones (loan)
Jake Vokins (loan)

Lincoln (4 + 5)
Ethan Ross
Zack Elbouzedi*
Harry Anderson*
Theo Archibald
Alex Palmer (loan)
TJ Eyoma (loan)
Morgan Rogers (loan)
Brennan Johnson (loan)
Callum Morton (loan)

Oxford United (13 + 6)
Josh Ruffels
Anthony Forde
Rob Hall
Fabio Lopes
Kyran Lofthouse
Michael Elechi
Alex Gorrin*
James Henry*
Mark Sykes*
John Mousinho*
Nico Jones*
Dylan Asonganyi*
Slavi Spasov*
Marcus McGuane (loan)
Brandon Barker (loan)
Elliot Lee (loan)
Mide Shodipo (loan)
Liam Kelly (loan)
Joe Grayson (loan)

LEAGUE ONE NEXT SEASON

Charlton (13 + 5)
Ben Amos
Adam Matthews
Deji Oshilaja
Jason Pearce
Jake Forster-Caskey
Erhun Oztumer
Darren Pratley
Ben Watson*
Marcus Maddison*
Chuks Aneke
James Vennings
Ben Dempsey
Andrew Shinnie
Jayden Stockley (loan)
Liam Millar (loan)
Ian Maatsen (loan)
Akin Famewo (loan)
Matt Smith (loan)

Portsmouth (11 + 4)
Jordy Hiwula
Tom Naylor
Andy Cannon*
Bryn Morris
Craig MacGillivray
Jack Whatmough
Ben Close*
Ryan Williams
Haji Mnoga*
Charlie Daniels
Duncan Turnbull (club option - but leaving)
George Byers (loan - Swansea)
Harvey White (loan - Spurs)
Rasmus Nicolaisen (loan - Midtjylland)
Lewis Ward (loan - Exeter)

Ipswich
Luke Chambers – RELEASED
Cole Skuse – RELEASED
Freddie Sears – RELEASED
Alan Judge – RELEASED
Stephen Ward – RELEASED
Emyr Huws – RELEASED
Tristan Nydam – RELEASED
James Wilson – RELEASED
Kayden Jackson - EXTENSION TRIGGERED
Janoi Donacien - EXTENSION TRIGGERED
Toto Nsiala - EXTENSION TRIGGERED
Aaron Drinan - EXTENSION TRIGGERED
Idris El Mizouni - EXTENSION TRIGGERED
Teddy Bishop - EXTENSION TRIGGERED
Gwion Edwards – CONTRACT OFFERED
Mark McGuinness (loan)
Keanan Bennetts (loan)
Josh Harrop (loan)
Troy Parrott (loan)
Luke Matheson (loan)
Luke Thomas (loan)

Gillingham (9 + 5)
Sacha Bastien – RELEASED
Jack Bonham – RELEASED
Jordan Graham – RELEASED
Tyreke Johnson – RELEASED
Connor Ogilvie – RELEASED
Dominic Samuel – RELEASED
Matty Willock – RELEASED
John Akinde - TRANSFER-LISTED
Christian Maghoma - TRANSFER-LISTED
Alex MacDonald – CONTRACT EXTENSION SIGNED
Stuart O’Keefe – CONTRACT EXTENSION SIGNED
Robbie Cundy (loan)
Thomas O’Connor (loan)
Olly Lee (loan)
Callum Slattery (loan)
James Morton (loan)

Accrington (5 + 8 )
Mark Hughes*
Sean McConville
Dion Charles*
Lewis Mansell
Lamine Sherif*
Harry Perritt
Adam Phillips (loan)
Paul Smyth (loan)
Nathan Baxter (loan)
Reagan Ogle (loan)
Mo Sangare (loan)
Tariq Awake (loan)
Jon Russell (loan)
Ryan Cassidy (loan)

Crewe (11 + 4)
Chris Porter*
Olly Lancashire
Daniel Powell
Omar Beckles*
Ryan Wintle
Callum Ainley
Tom Lowery
Owen Dale*
Josh Lundstram
Travis Johnson
Sam Booth
Antony Evans (loan)
Harry Pickering (loan)
Stephen Walker (loan)
Nathan Wood (loan)

MK Dons (11 + 4)
Lee Nicholls
Laurie Walker
Matthew Sorinola
Josh McEachran
Jordan Houghton
Ben Gladwin
Andrew Surman
Kieran Agard
Joe Mason
Cameron Jerome
Jay Bird
Lasse Sorensen (loan - Stoke)
Ethan Laird (loan - Manchester United)
Louis Thompson (loan - Norwich)
Will Grigg (loan - Sunderland)

Doncaster (12 + 7)
James Coppinger – RETIRED
Danny Amos - RELEASED
Madger Gomes - RELEASED
Ian Lawlor - RELEASED
Joe Wright - RELEASED
Reece James - IN TALKS
Jason Lokilo - IN TALKS
Lirak Hasani - IN TALKS
Ben Blythe - CONTRACT EXTENDED
Brad Halliday – RELEASED BUT IN TALKS
Taylor Richards (loan)
Matt Smith (loan)
Josh Sims (loan)
Ellery Balcombe (loan)
Tyreece John-Jules (loan)
Scott Robertson (loan)
Elliot Simoes (loan)

Fleetwood (8 + 5)
Glenn Whelan
Mark Duffy
Josh Morris
Sam Finley
Wes Burns*
Harrison Bigins
Nathan Sheron
Harrison Holgate
Charlie Mulgrew (loan)
Kyle Vassell (loan)
Janoi Donacien (loan)
Barrie McKay (loan)
Callum Connolly (loan)

Burton (14 + 5)
Ben Garratt
Michael Bostwick
Neal Eardley
Colin Daniel
Reece Hutchinson
John-Joe O'Toole
Michael Mancienne
Danny Rowe
Ryan Edwards
Stephen Quinn
Ben Fox
Lucas Akins
Luke Varney
Mike Fondop
Hayden Carter (loan)
Josh Earl (loan)
Sean Clare (loan)
Dillon Barnes (loan)
Ryan Broom (loan)

Shrewsbury (13 + 3)
Scott Golbourne - RELEASED
David Edwards - RELEASED
Ro-Shaun Williams - RELEASED
Sean Goss - RELEASED
Ryan Sears - RELEASED
Brad Walker - RELEASED
Donald Love - RELEASED
Curtis Main - RELEASED
David Davis - RELEASED
James Rowland - RELEASED
Ryan Barnett - RELEASED
Leon Clarke - RELEASED
Daniel Udoh - OFFERED EXTENSION
Matthew Pennington - OFFERED EXTENSION
Shaun Whalley – EXTENSION TRIGGERED

Plymouth (12 + 5)
Will Aimson – RELEASED
Byron Moore – RELEASED
Jarvis Cleal – RELEASED
Rubin Wilson – RELEASED
Scott Wootton – RELEASED
Klaidi Lolos – RELEASED
Frank Nouble – RELEASED
Lewis Macleod – RELEASED
Ben Reeves – RELEASED
Jack Ruddy – RELEASED
Gary Sawyer – RETIRED
Joe Edwards – OFFERED NEW CONTRACT
Conor Grant – OFFERED NEW CONTRACT
Ollie Tomlinson – OFFERED NEW CONTRACT
Danny Mayor – OFFERED NEW CONTRACT
Ryan Law – OFFERED NEW CONTRACT
Luke McCormick – OFFERED ALTERNATIVE ROLE
Tyrese Fornah (loan - Nottingham Forest)
Adam Lewis (loan - Liverpool)
Jerome Opoku (loan - Fulham)
Kell Watts (loan - Newcastle United)
Sam Woods (loan - Crystal Palace)

AFC Wimbledon (3 + 5)
Cheye Alexander
Nikola Tzanev*
Shane McLoughlin
Sam Walker (loan)
George Dobson (loan)
Darnell Johnson (loan)
Jaakko Oksanen (loan)
Ryan Longman (loan)

Wigan (17 + 2)
Zach Clough
Tendayi Darikwa
Joe Dodoo
Owen Evans
Lee Evans
Dan Gardner
George Johnston
Jamie Jones
Kyle Joseph
Will Keane
Gavin Massey
Chris Merrie
Alex Perry
Jamie Proctor
Viv Solomon-Otabor
Corey Whelan
Scott Wootton
Curtis Tilt (loan - Rotherham)
Funso Ojo (loan - Aberdeen)

RELEGATED TEAMS

Rochdale (15 + 4)
Jim McNulty
Paul McShane
Jimmy Ryan
Matt Done
Matthew Lund
Jimmy Keohane
Stephen Dooley
Jay Lynch
Ryan McLaughlin
Eoghan O'Connell
Harrison Hooper
Joe Dunne*
Lewis Bradley
Kwadwo Baah
Ben Chalton
Gabriel Oshoa (loan)
Jack Vale (loan)
Haydon Roberts (loan)
Gavin Bazunu (loan)

Northampton (9+5)
Steve Arnold – RELEASED
Alan Sheehan – RELEASED
Mark Marshall – RELEASED
Ricky Korboa – RELEASED
Matt Warburton – RELEASED
Ethan Johnston – RELEASED
Lloyd Jones – OFFERED NEW CONTRACT
Ryan Watson – OFFERED NEW CONTRACT
Scott Pollock – OFFERED NEW CONTRACT
Cian Bolger – OFFERED NEW CONTRACT
Jonathan Mitchell (loan)
Bryn Morris (loan)
Mickel Miller (loan)
Peter Kioso (loan)
Ryan Edmondson (loan)
Jonny Leighfield (Swindon)

Swindon (18 + 5)
Lee Camp
Dion Conroy
Tom Broadbent
Akin Odimayo*
Jonathan Grounds
Paul Caddis
Christopher Missilou
Matty Palmer
Anthony Grant
Scott Twine (contract offered)
Joel Grant
Brett Pitman*
Hallam Hope
Harry Parsons
Archie Matthews
Anthony Cheshire
Luke Haines
Massimo Giamattei
Tyrese Omotoye (loan - Norwich City)
Jordon Garrick (loan - Swansea City)
Tyler Smith (loan - Sheffield United)
Dominic Thompson (loan - Brentford)
Conor Masterson (loan - QPR)

Bristol Rovers (11 + 3)
Kyle Bennett – RELEASED
Michael Kelly – RELEASED
Harry Warwick – RELEASED
Liam Armstrong – RELEASED
Alexis Andre-Jr – RELEASED
Ali Koiki – RELEASED
Ed Upson – RELEASED
Jordi van Stappershoef – RELEASED
Josh Hare – RELEASED
Mark Little – RELEASED
Abu Ogogo – RELEASED
Tom Davies – RELEASED
Luke Leahy - RELEASED (rejected extension)

[TANGODANCER]

Great work D.S.B.

B.N. has it that Dapo want's talks with West Ham before deciding his options. Not looking too good, but you never know.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Great work D.S.B.

B.N. has it that Dapo want's talks with West Ham before deciding his options. Not looking too good, but you never know.

Entirely reasonable. Interesting interview.
https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/1 ... rs-return/

I said to everyone that I would wait until the end of the season and help Bolton get promoted, re-assess my options, see what happens. I need to go back to West Ham and have a conversation with them but everything is on the table, it’s a case of seeing how it goes.

Also says he could have gone to Crawley, who were at the time above us in the table, but "I spoke to the manager here and I believed what he was saying, I believed in how he wanted to play me."

I'm guessing these interviews were in the aftermath of the game so some players will naturally be elated, but it sounds like he's enjoyed his time here. Declan John's quotes were much more guarded and let's-see.

[BWFC_Insane]

I would be surprised if both Dapo and John aren't back here next season. Very very surprised. Dapo isn't going to play for West Ham is he? So even if they wanted to sign him he'd be out on loan. I'm still not convinced by him but if he could play as he did against Crawley regularly then great.

DJ is out of contract and has already done the cryptic twitter eyes thing...guess its slightly more up in the air than Dapo as DJ may have other suitors as really I think he's close to championship level.

But I think IF we want them (and I suspect we do) both will be back no trouble.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I would be surprised if both Dapo and John aren't back here next season. Very very surprised. Dapo isn't going to play for West Ham is he? So even if they wanted to sign him he'd be out on loan. I'm still not convinced by him but if he could play as he did against Crawley regularly then great.

DJ is out of contract and has already done the cryptic twitter eyes thing...guess its slightly more up in the air than Dapo as DJ may have other suitors as really I think he's close to championship level.

But I think IF we want them (and I suspect we do) both will be back no trouble.

I like your optimism – you're a changed man, you even wouldn't have Madine back

Both would be wise to consider their options first, though. Dapo could expect West Ham to renew his contract with a view to him continuing to develop at a higher level, with us or elsewhere. His wage wouldn't be make a dint in their budget, he scored for them in January. Declan John may well wonder if he could do a job at Champo level before committing to the third tier.

[jmjhb]

I'm betting Gilks starts next season and I suspect finding a better keeper won't be that easy. But I've no issue with that. I think he's easily got another season in him, and its a great story. A younger keeper to slowly evolve and take over is what we'll do I think.

I can see that idea, but Joel Dixon's 27 and hadn't played League football till this season.

Maybe he's the third option. One old guy, one promising youth and one in the middle.

No, it's just short-sighted.

What ex-Blackpool, ex-Barrow or ex-Chesterfield players are out of contract this summer? Bet you we sign at least 2 which fall into this bracket.

[Worthy4England]

I would be surprised if both Dapo and John aren't back here next season. Very very surprised. Dapo isn't going to play for West Ham is he? So even if they wanted to sign him he'd be out on loan. I'm still not convinced by him but if he could play as he did against Crawley regularly then great.

DJ is out of contract and has already done the cryptic twitter eyes thing...guess its slightly more up in the air than Dapo as DJ may have other suitors as really I think he's close to championship level.

But I think IF we want them (and I suspect we do) both will be back no trouble.

I like your optimism – you're a changed man, you even wouldn't have Madine back

Both would be wise to consider their options first, though. Dapo could expect West Ham to renew his contract with a view to him continuing to develop at a higher level, with us or elsewhere. His wage wouldn't be make a dint in their budget, he scored for them in January. Declan John may well wonder if he could do a job at Champo level before committing to the third tier.

It's probably easier to convince potential suitors that you're Championship material whilst being signed on for a Club that's in the Champo/Prem. The average wage in the Champo is £29k per week...That's significantly higher than League 1 (on average) where the top paid player is on around £15k and the average is nearer £5k per week (all "allegedly"). There'd have to be a "lotta love" to bridge that gap...

[BWFC_Insane]

I would be surprised if both Dapo and John aren't back here next season. Very very surprised. Dapo isn't going to play for West Ham is he? So even if they wanted to sign him he'd be out on loan. I'm still not convinced by him but if he could play as he did against Crawley regularly then great.

DJ is out of contract and has already done the cryptic twitter eyes thing...guess its slightly more up in the air than Dapo as DJ may have other suitors as really I think he's close to championship level.

But I think IF we want them (and I suspect we do) both will be back no trouble.

I like your optimism – you're a changed man, you even wouldn't have Madine back

Both would be wise to consider their options first, though. Dapo could expect West Ham to renew his contract with a view to him continuing to develop at a higher level, with us or elsewhere. His wage wouldn't be make a dint in their budget, he scored for them in January. Declan John may well wonder if he could do a job at Champo level before committing to the third tier.

Yep though strikes me as IE isn't a man to hang about so they might not want to mess around too much.

[The_Gun]

I would be surprised if both Dapo and John aren't back here next season. Very very surprised. Dapo isn't going to play for West Ham is he? So even if they wanted to sign him he'd be out on loan. I'm still not convinced by him but if he could play as he did against Crawley regularly then great.

DJ is out of contract and has already done the cryptic twitter eyes thing...guess its slightly more up in the air than Dapo as DJ may have other suitors as really I think he's close to championship level.

But I think IF we want them (and I suspect we do) both will be back no trouble.

I like your optimism – you're a changed man, you even wouldn't have Madine back

Both would be wise to consider their options first, though. Dapo could expect West Ham to renew his contract with a view to him continuing to develop at a higher level, with us or elsewhere. His wage wouldn't be make a dint in their budget, he scored for them in January. Declan John may well wonder if he could do a job at Champo level before committing to the third tier.

Dapo is 24 now and I would be surprised if West Ham see a future for him there. He's a good player, but would be way down the pecking order for a team challenging for European football. Maybe he can develop his game to a point where he could play in the Premier League, but that's far from a given and it's not like he's 19.

I'd be 95% confident West Ham don't renew his contract, but don't think that means we're certain to be able to sign him, as I imagine there would be plenty of teams at League One, and maybe some Championship teams that would also be interested.

[Harry Genshaw]

A couple of possible season long loan options;

The young lad who Rochdale sold to Wolves last year. Obviously not prem ready. A year in L1 with a more high profile club might tempt them?

The striker at Cardiff who McCarthy doesn't fancy. Scored umpteen in L2 for Crawley I think.

I realise this is like a conversation with your granddad but if you want names then im sure DSB or Brommers will help

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Declan John may well wonder if he could do a job at Champo level before committing to the third tier.

It's probably easier to convince potential suitors that you're Championship material whilst being signed on for a Club that's in the Champo/Prem. The average wage in the Champo is £29k per week...That's significantly higher than League 1 (on average) where the top paid player is on around £15k and the average is nearer £5k per week (all "allegedly"). There'd have to be a "lotta love" to bridge that gap...

Aye. He's also already proven himself at that level, it's just that he fell off the radar, but he can point to the last few months as live evidence that he's fine. He's 26 next month...

Dapo is 24 now and I would be surprised if West Ham see a future for him there. He's a good player, but would be way down the pecking order for a team challenging for European football. Maybe he can develop his game to a point where he could play in the Premier League, but that's far from a given and it's not like he's 19.

I'd be 95% confident West Ham don't renew his contract, but don't think that means we're certain to be able to sign him, as I imagine there would be plenty of teams at League One, and maybe some Championship teams that would also be interested.

...whereas Dapo is currently 23
Bigger clubs have been known to keep stockpiling contracts just in case - Spurs kept academy graduate Simon Dawkins on the payroll until he was 26, when Derby signed him for a fee - but yeah, I agree it's entirely possible if not probable that the Hammers will just move him along. And like you, I suspect he may test the waters elsewhere - although he seems to have enjoyed himself, progressed personally and professionally, and to be brutal it's not like he registered 10 goals and 10 assists so clubs higher up may not be clawing over each other to get him.

Yep though strikes me as IE isn't a man to hang about so they might not want to mess around too much.

Yeah, entirely fair, but what tends to happen is they just agree a date - let us know by (eg) June 1 or we'll have to move on to other options mate, etc. For every player you'd happily sign immediately you might be sounding out four or six others, who are also considering other clubs as well as possibly their current paymasters if a deal is offered (or, conversely, asking for a lot if they want to go). Like I say, it's fluid.

[BWFC_Insane]

^^I mean West Ham might sign Dapo though I think it would be entirely pointless. He's a million miles off the championship let alone the premiership. I'm not even convinced he's really even a consistent league 2 striker - his output suggests a lot of work to do.

Stockpiling is one thing signing a 23 year old who simply isn't going to cut it is not really sensible IMO. Nor is it sensible really for Dapo to stay there - needs more gametime.