Zonnebloem
25th May 2007, 10:57 AM
We can afford Windass, say City
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By Richard Sutcliffe
JULIAN RHODES insists Bradford City will have no trouble in affording Dean Windass next season if a transfer cannot be agreed with Hull City.
The 38-year-old was expected to move to the KC Stadium on a permanent basis this summer after a successful four-month loan spell with his hometown club.
The Yorkshire Post revealed on Tuesday, however, that the deal had been thrown into serious doubt due to the two clubs being poles apart in their valuation on a player who still has two years remaining on his Valley Parade contract.
Bradford are understood to want an incentive-based deal that could rise to £250,000 depending on appearances, which is double what the Tigers want to pay.
Hull supporters remain hopeful a deal can be done with many believing that Windass's wage at Bradford is around £7,500 per week, clearly way beyond the means of a League Two club.
Bradford chairman Julian Rhodes has refuted the claim, insisting last night: "I heard about a report (last January) in Hull that claimed what wage Dean is supposed to be on here and I can categrorically say it is not true.
"In fact, the contracts of the last of our really big earners (a hangover from Bradford's brief stint in the Premiership) ended in 2003, the summer that Dean joined us.
"I can assure Bradford supporters that, if Dean does return, we will certainly be able to afford his wages. That would not be a problem.
"I do not think the price we have quoted for Dean is unreasonable. Twice in recent seasons, we have turned down upfront offers from Wigan of £350,000 with a further £150,000 to be paid if they had stayed up.
"Hopefully, the matter can be resolved sooner rather than later. But I am not
losing any sleep over it."
A feelgood factor has returned to Valley Parade in the past week or so since local hero Stuart McCall was confirmed as manager.
Rhodes added: "Stuart is as relaxed as I am over this. Dean is definitely in the assets column of this club, hopefully as someone to score goals next season.
"Stuart's thinking is he would be happy for Dean to come back and get a lot of goals next season. Or, equally, he could be sold and the money used to replace Dean.
"The ball is in Hull's court but if Dean does stay here, he will be an important member of the team."
Windass finished last season in the unusual position of having been the top scorer at both clubs with the eight goals he scored for Hull following the dozen he netted for Bradford.
CRYSTAL PALACE boss Peter Taylor has revealed he is considering a move for veteran former England striker Teddy Sheringham.
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/bradford?articleid=2906442
Have to keep up the pretence that there is no urgency to offload Mr W from the wage bill I suppose.
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By Richard Sutcliffe
JULIAN RHODES insists Bradford City will have no trouble in affording Dean Windass next season if a transfer cannot be agreed with Hull City.
The 38-year-old was expected to move to the KC Stadium on a permanent basis this summer after a successful four-month loan spell with his hometown club.
The Yorkshire Post revealed on Tuesday, however, that the deal had been thrown into serious doubt due to the two clubs being poles apart in their valuation on a player who still has two years remaining on his Valley Parade contract.
Bradford are understood to want an incentive-based deal that could rise to £250,000 depending on appearances, which is double what the Tigers want to pay.
Hull supporters remain hopeful a deal can be done with many believing that Windass's wage at Bradford is around £7,500 per week, clearly way beyond the means of a League Two club.
Bradford chairman Julian Rhodes has refuted the claim, insisting last night: "I heard about a report (last January) in Hull that claimed what wage Dean is supposed to be on here and I can categrorically say it is not true.
"In fact, the contracts of the last of our really big earners (a hangover from Bradford's brief stint in the Premiership) ended in 2003, the summer that Dean joined us.
"I can assure Bradford supporters that, if Dean does return, we will certainly be able to afford his wages. That would not be a problem.
"I do not think the price we have quoted for Dean is unreasonable. Twice in recent seasons, we have turned down upfront offers from Wigan of £350,000 with a further £150,000 to be paid if they had stayed up.
"Hopefully, the matter can be resolved sooner rather than later. But I am not
losing any sleep over it."
A feelgood factor has returned to Valley Parade in the past week or so since local hero Stuart McCall was confirmed as manager.
Rhodes added: "Stuart is as relaxed as I am over this. Dean is definitely in the assets column of this club, hopefully as someone to score goals next season.
"Stuart's thinking is he would be happy for Dean to come back and get a lot of goals next season. Or, equally, he could be sold and the money used to replace Dean.
"The ball is in Hull's court but if Dean does stay here, he will be an important member of the team."
Windass finished last season in the unusual position of having been the top scorer at both clubs with the eight goals he scored for Hull following the dozen he netted for Bradford.
CRYSTAL PALACE boss Peter Taylor has revealed he is considering a move for veteran former England striker Teddy Sheringham.
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/bradford?articleid=2906442
Have to keep up the pretence that there is no urgency to offload Mr W from the wage bill I suppose.