Sheffield Wednesday, QPR, Preston & Barnsley race to sign Finland ace in Jan link Potential backup if the Kitching deal falls through?
I've come to realise, if we're being openly linked with a player, it isn't true. If you look at our summer dealings, none of them became public knowledge more than 24 hours before we signed them.
I think it's more a case of us being beaten to the signings of those that are in the public domain. We have definitely been in for some of the players mentioned in the papers. Not that I blame anyone for that, other clubs have more money than us, that's just a fact. I don't believe we're the source of any leaks so if we're the only club in for a player it doesn't come out until they've signed. But I think if we had a bit more spending power we would have read about players before they signed as they'd choose us over the alternatives.
It's probably a bit of both to be honest. I recall Struber denying that we were in for a couple of the targets we supposedly missed in the summer (might have been Macauley Bonne), and at the same time, there was rumours that Callum Brittain had attracted interest from several clubs. But of course, the big exceptions are Ben Whiteman and Lyndon Dykes, who we seemed quite open about. I'm hoping there is truth to a couple of the rumours coming out, and we can actually get our business done early in the window.
You're right, it's definitely a bit of both. There'll be some players we're linked with that we have no interest in at all.
It's a pity that we no longer have the most Scottish-named player in the world, but who isn't actually Scottish. All we would need is Martin Braithwaite to round things off. Opponents would be so confused about who to pick up at corners that we'd score a bagful every week.
Chances are any leaks will come from either the selling club or agents, trying to play the clubs off each other.
It's the first time I've heard of this rumour, but I wouldn't mind it being true! Daniel wouldn't set this league on fire, but he was chosen as the best defender in the Finnish league this season, so I think he definitely has the potential to succeed.