McDermott laughs at Crystal Palace’s valuation of Sam Byram
Scratching Shed 3/7/13
Crystal Palace are the latest club to start creeping around Leeds United’s young defensive star, Sam Byram, but their reported valuation of the right-back did nothing but amuse Whites boss Brian McDermott.
Two different newspapers reported on a planned Crystal Palace bid last night, The Mirror coming first with claims that Ian Holloway is preparing a £2.5m bid for Byram, followed by the Daily Mail who upped the figure to £3m.
This time last year, with Ken Bates still at the helm, such reports would have caused widespread panic amongst the Leeds United fanbase. Indeed, Byram would probably have been packed off for his medical first thing this morning.
But under the new ownership of Leeds United, fans have a renewed sense of confidence. After years of being bullied by lesser clubs like Norwich City, Brian McDermott responded to speculation of a £3m bid from Crystal Palace by asking “which boot?” they were bidding for.
It was a response that sent a feeling of pride through Leeds United fans across the globe. No longer are we open to derisory offers from whichever club spots an opportunity to exploit our precarious financial situation and reap the rewards of a Thorp Arch academy system that has produced an impressive array of talent, including England stars Aaron Lennon and James Milner.
Every player has their price, but that price is dictated not only by the quality of the player, but by the calibre of the club you’re dealing with. Brian McDermott sent a clear and resounding message to the rest of football today – You want to secure the services of a Leeds United star, you better be willing to pay a considerable sum for their signature.
Ken Bates has left the building. Leeds United are no longer the Premier League’s cheapest feeder team.
Crystal Palace are the latest club to start creeping around Leeds United’s young defensive star, Sam Byram, but their reported valuation of the right-back did nothing but amuse Whites boss Brian McDermott.
Two different newspapers reported on a planned Crystal Palace bid last night, The Mirror coming first with claims that Ian Holloway is preparing a £2.5m bid for Byram, followed by the Daily Mail who upped the figure to £3m.
This time last year, with Ken Bates still at the helm, such reports would have caused widespread panic amongst the Leeds United fanbase. Indeed, Byram would probably have been packed off for his medical first thing this morning.
But under the new ownership of Leeds United, fans have a renewed sense of confidence. After years of being bullied by lesser clubs like Norwich City, Brian McDermott responded to speculation of a £3m bid from Crystal Palace by asking “which boot?” they were bidding for.
It was a response that sent a feeling of pride through Leeds United fans across the globe. No longer are we open to derisory offers from whichever club spots an opportunity to exploit our precarious financial situation and reap the rewards of a Thorp Arch academy system that has produced an impressive array of talent, including England stars Aaron Lennon and James Milner.
Every player has their price, but that price is dictated not only by the quality of the player, but by the calibre of the club you’re dealing with. Brian McDermott sent a clear and resounding message to the rest of football today – You want to secure the services of a Leeds United star, you better be willing to pay a considerable sum for their signature.
Ken Bates has left the building. Leeds United are no longer the Premier League’s cheapest feeder team.