Football Insider is reporting that bids have been placed for Imps left-back Tayo Edun.
Peterborough (obviously) and Luton Town (preferably) have apparently put offers in for the 23-year-old, who had a super season for City after coming into the side last season. He’s been one of our most consistent performers and would be a big loss right before the season starts.
That said, it now makes sense that we’ve been linked with another left-back, namely Jamie Robson of Dundee United, because we’d have the funds to spend on a new face and we’d need someone to replaced Tayo. That said, it is not a move I would like to see, and I’m not sure the bids will be accepted unless they are very significant.
I chatted to Michael yesterday and during those conversations, it became very clear that Tayo, along with the likes of Tom Hopper, Liam Bridcutt and Conor McGrandles, form the nucleus of the side, around which the new faces will be dotted. Any bids at this late stage of the pre-season are not going to be looked upon favourably, I’m sure, and whilst every player has a price in this model, I can’t see us being in a huge rush to sell.
The FI report does state we’re keen to keep hold of Tayo, and I think there’s a good reason for that – he should be aiming higher. I don’t mean any disrespect to Luton, but I know some at the club feel Tayo has the ability to play higher than the middle of the Championship, maybe even a division higher. His rise last season was excellent and he could certainly improve even more over the next six months. A deal now could see another team make a big profit on our investment, and whilst the model is to develop and sell, there’s an element of business sense around that as well. Why sell now, when his stock might rise more over the coming months?
There is no pressure to sell that I’m aware of, and whilst the details of his contract are not for public consumption, there seems to be no ‘higher club’ clause that saw us lose Jorge Grant. Instead, we’re in the driving seat when it comes to negotiations, and if Tayo were to leave it will be on our terms, no matter what Darragh MacAnthony told you at a later date on his podcast. Yes, our pants were ripped down a bit with Jorge Grant, through circumstance, but we’ve belted up for Tayo and won’t be kegged again.
We should be flattered stories like these are coming out, because it shows where we are as a football club right now. Not only are our players coveted by Championship sides, but financially we can pick and choose the deal, and staying put might even be a better option. Tayo will know he’ll play regularly, his stock has risen significantly since pulling on a red and white shirt and the clubs bidding for him are no bigger than us, all they can offer is trips to Sheff Utd and Stoke, rather than Sheff Weds and Sunderland. Not a lot of difference at all, really!
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