August 2002 Friday, August 9
11.35am
According to the BBC, Terry Butcher has denied that Motherwell have received a £1.8m bid from Bayer Leverkusen for James McFadden. Reports also suggested that the club had turned down a £500,000 bid from Coventry City, but Butcher said today:
“We don’t want to sell anybody. We are not in a position where we have to sell anybody. Yes, we have had enquiries about players – but no written offers – so we carry on. I’m not saying who they are, but there has been lots of phone calls. It’s been mostly speculation, but people think they can get our players on the cheap, especially our younger ones.”
“We don’t know how good these younger ones will be and they don’t, but you hope they are going to keep on progressing the way they are. Three of them are on Scotland duty next week – Pearson, Hammell and McFadden – and we are very pleased about that. That gives a good indication and sign to the other players coming through that they could emulate what they have done. The players are very happy here and want to play for each other and want to do well for Motherwell Football Club.”
8.40am
There are conflicting reports in this morning’s newspapers regarding James McFadden. Firstly, one tabloid claims that German side Bayer Leverkusen have made a bid of £1.8m for the 19-year-old, an amount which we surely would be unable to turn down. However, the Sun reports that Faddy is available for just £750,000, although Motherwell have no need to sell him as with all the big earners gone we are in much better shape than most other SPL clubs.
With 22 days left before the transfer window, Terry Butcher said:
“I expect to have my resolve tested before August 31, even if I don’t want it to be tested. But I hope James stays put because I feel he needs another season to develop and isn’t ready to go yet. There are a number of scouts at almost every game James plays now and I know one of them is from Bayer Leverkusen. That does not surprise me as it does some people. He’s a top quality player who is only going to get better and they would not be doing their job if they ignored him.”
Butcher has received the referee’s report from last week’s game against Livingston, during which he was sent to the stand, and has 14 days to reply to it.
McFadden has been called into the Scotland squad for the forthcoming friendly with Denmark, while Stevie Hammell and Stephen Pearson are in the Under-21 squad.
Time for TWO new Opinion Polls…
What do you think of the new Home and Away Strips?
and