This is the rub for me.
If someone offered 20m or less I'd be politely declining.
I simply would not entertain less than what we paid and I think the owners have been consistent that they have no intention of selling at a loss.
His Agent would also have trouble suggesting the club should let him move on due to his success and the desire of better clubs to take him, whilst at the same time making the case his value has decreased.
To sell him at a loss whilst still weakening the team would seem to have little upside especially as, if you're prepared to sell him at a loss you could manage that in the coming summer. If him remaining helps him becomes a PL player once more you can argue any reduction in value due to him having 12 months left gets offset by promotion and the added value that brings.
Perhaps 25m might have been a better number though it is still close. Just under 55 in favour of selling at 30m and 45ish for keeping.
Is he worth 30m? Probably not. Is keeping him going to increase our chances of promotion and the 150m+? Yes, it is. So it really boils down to what he's work to us. But you don't have to sell at market value. if he's important at that time, then he needs to be prized away.
I think there are many questions here.
His value has obviously gone down since we signed him. He didn't do a great amount in the top flight and hasn't done a great deal to stand out or shine in the two seasons we've been in the Championship. He's also not that good if we go up, as he needs to play in a team who have possession and we'll be trying to counter.
His value might be £20 million, based on talent, but it isn't on performance, level played at or injury record. I'd be shocked if we got £15 million to be honest. With his contract coming towards an end and with no sign that he'd want to stay, that value will decrease by the month. Or, if he plays well, he's gone in summer. He'll force the move if a big team comes in and we'll not get anywhere near his clause.
I don't think his value to Sheffield United, as a player, is anything like his value as a player. Doesn't fit our system. Good to have when everyone fit but if his influence on games more than Doyle? Not good enough defensively to play for us in the EPL unless we could sign a world class CM who has all the abilities he lacks.
For Sheffield United, he's played 80 games, scored 10 and 9 assists. Not exactly top stats for a player who cost us £22 million and adds little defensively. Over half those games have been in the English second division.
There's another question here. We have to sell if we don't go up. If his value drops to single millions, which it might as an upfront payment, who are we selling? The club can't afford to lose £9 million if he holds out for a free transfer. Ndiaye might go regardless but if not you're looking at Egan, RND, Bogle. But then again, two of those have been injured so probably not worth anything like they would be from a full fit season.
I just think that we could use half his fee to replace him with two players who would give us a better chance of promotion and that his value is nowhere near what some seem to think it is.
