Must have been about 9 years ago but I seen him at a party and was having a chat, I was mortal and told him not to leave , he was being linked with an move away from the club at the time. Few days later he said he wasn't going anywhere in the press. Always felt partially responsible for him staying with us.
How do we know that when we sign players we well them that we are just a stepping stone? I'm sure most mid-table to relegation clubs like ourselves sell it to players as play in the biggest league in the world. It doesn't really work 'come here, and we will sell you in 2 years time for loads more money to a bigger club'
If someone can adapt in Italian, English and Spanish football, I'm sure he can adapt to a weaker division like the Championship. It's like saying Aguero couldn't hack it in the Championship as he's never played there before.
We would ship a lot of players out though. I'd imagine we could get 10 mill for Wijnaldum, 8m for Sissoko, the Cabella fee is agreed. Janmaat 5 mil.
Looking at 25 million in the Championship, even more if we flog Shelvey, Perez and Mitro.