This just shows how much of a kicker we're going to have this year.
We have loads of players out of contract. If we want to keep them, we need to offer them a new contract. But they're in the Premier League so will be on more money. They'll also want more than one year. Here's the real issue. Its fine saying give them another year, but this is the last big contract for most and therefore they'll be looking for more. Maybe the last contract for some. So, we end up offering players 2 years instead of one, meaning we're stuck with them and their wage if we go down.
Then we have the players whose contract runs out next summer. Including Berge, Ndiaye, RND, Egan. We want to keep them and not lose them on a free but they'll want Premier League money. And once again, they'll want some form of security so that's 2 or 3 years. But, and here's the big but, they'll also not want to be stuck with us if we get relegated, so they'll want a relegation release clause. They'll also not want a relegation wage reduction.
And with 2 players on the books past summer 24, we need to offer 23 contracts to have a full Premier League squad. All on Premier League money.
This couldn't really have fallen any worse. So many financial outgoings at the same time. We'll be favourites to go down, so hard to sign players, and those players will want a release clause but not a wage reduction should we go down.
Going to be a very difficult summer if a new owner doesn't come in.