[Albion] Daily Mail reporting Albion have rejected £4m from Burnley for Dale Stephens

[lizard]

spot on. On his day can run a game, hardly ever gives the ball away and looks a 10 million pound Preimership player. He's a class act and will be a big miss.

It concerns me, I genuinely doubt Stephens or Kayal are replaceable at this level.
If he goes we'll still have decent CM options, Kayal, Sidwell, Towell, Norwood, Ince.
Players like him are the difference between Autos and Playoffs, we really do need to keep our best players or we'll just keep treading water.

 

[clippedgull]

I agree he has been a big part of our game but football fans are fickle and attitudes change. I am not sure how we will go about replacing him.if he does leave.

Well I know its not a popular opinion on this thread, but I think in Norwood we have his replacement. A NI international who had a good Euro 2016. The player recruitment department have been very good since CH arrived, with the exception of Manu.

I'm hoping he stays but won't be too despondent if he goes.

 

[The_Viper]

It concerns me, I genuinely doubt Stephens or Kayal are replaceable at this level.

If someone can show me a realistic replacement of the same quality I'll eat my hat. We currently have 2/5 of the best center midfielders in the division. If we're going to lose him we need to be buying big elsewhere (striker) to keep that quality in the squad. Especially if we want BK to sign a deal and not walk away for half his value in January.

 

[Springal]

If someone can show me a realistic replacement of the same quality I'll eat my hat. We currently have 2/5 of the best center midfielders in the division. If we're going to lose him we need to be buying big elsewhere (striker) to keep that quality in the squad. Especially if we want BK to sign a deal and not walk away for half his value in January.

BK isn't going to sign now anyway.

FWIW, Norwood and Sidwell both capable replacements and another signing will only further strengthen that.

 

[fosters headband]

spot on. On his day can run a game, hardly ever gives the ball away and looks a 10 million pound Preimership player. He's a class act and will be a big miss.

To be honest it looks like I am one of the few fans not fussed about him leaving for a good fee. Until Kayal came to the club Stephens looked very ordinary to me, who would blow hot and cold during a game and never impressed me, as I say, until he partnered Kayal. If it were Kayal you were trying to sign I would be going mental about that possibility

 

[neilbard]

Perhaps we can pick him up again at the end of the season when we replace Burnley in the premier division

What is this f**king addiction on here about picking up ex-players if he goes then so be it. If we replace Burnley in the Premier league next season I would hope our aspirations would be a little higher considering all the extra cash that would become available to us! #ambition

 

[Turkey]

**** off burnley

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Well I know its not a popular opinion on this thread, but I think in Norwood we have his replacement. A NI international who had a good Euro 2016. The player recruitment department have been very good since CH arrived, with the exception of Manu.

I'm hoping he stays but won't be too despondent if he goes.

Norwood has the best stats for completed passes in the Championship.

 

[Icy Gull]

Sidwell is a very solid replacement IMO, I know I'm in the minority but I think that he is just as good as Stephens. If he can gel with Kayal, we'll still have an excellent midfield with Norwood waiting in the wings or potentially playing in a three man midfield on occasion.

 

[The_Viper]

BK isn't going to sign now anyway.

FWIW, Norwood and Sidwell both capable replacements and another signing will only further strengthen that.

So you think BK will be off this window too?

 

[Sheebo]

Great player but it seems obvious to me it's personal reasons & is desperate to go back up north. The kick for me is that we played much better football than Burnley last season and Andre Gray was the only reason they marginally finished above us. But that's football - £7mil is a huge fee - need 3 players now let's do it

 

[Thunder Bolt]

[tweet]762713943068516353[/tweet]

 

[Friend]

With Stephens going for 7m and us being willing to spend near 8m for Pritchard, does this mean we could have around 15m on our hands to spend? If so, why aren't we going all out on signing quality and giving ourselves the best chance for promotion whilst we can? I mean the squad we have is good enough, but why not make it even better? whats to lose?

 

[atomised]

So you think BK will be off this window too?

Dont think that was implied at all. BK has already stated he plans to see out his contract. I imagine that was what was being alluded to when stating he wouldnt sign

 

[BensGrandad]

[tweet]762713943068516353[/tweet]

If true rthat would explain the signing of Norwood and even the bid for Prtitchard.

 

[atomised]

If true rthat would explain the signing of Norwood and even the bid for Prtitchard.

Im absolutely stunned that youre the first to mention that

 

[indy3050]

IF that IS true then thanks for the memories Dale, £7mill for a player with a year left in his contract is great business for the club. Remember, this is not Ulloa. I hate Burnley I really, really do.

 

[indy3050]

Do we know if there is a sell on fee for Charton?

 

[BensGrandad]

Im absolutely stunned that youre the first to mention that

Not the first but you must admit that it lends more weight to the idea..

 

[*Gullsworth*]

Do we know if there is a sell on fee for Charton?

Am I the only one who thinks that is good money for us. Yes he was superb for us at times last year but I don't think he will be such a great loss as Kayal or Knocky would be.