The owner of an English Football League team has defended Birmingham City’s approach to the summer transfer window.
There are less than two weeks left in the summer transfer window. It’s been a fascinating season for Birmingham clubs, particularly Birmingham City. What’s going on in the EFL gossip mill today?
One of the most active EFL chairmen in the media recently spoke on a podcast to defend Birmingham City’s transfer strategy this summer. They have made a slew of major acquisitions, much to the displeasure of League One fans, but he insists he has ‘no problem’ with their approach.
Meanwhile, one of Sunderland’s main players recently rejected a contract offer from the club. This would allow clubs to make a play for him, with Leeds United reportedly among those interested.
Darragh MacAnthony defends Birmingham City’s transfer policy in the summer window
Birmingham have completed 11 acquisitions in the summer transfer window, with a couple costing several million pounds, notably Christoph Klarer, Willum Willumsson, and Emil Hansson. This was clearly done as a show of purpose by the Blues, but it has enraged fans of other teams in the division.
Nonetheless, Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony has ‘no problem’ with Birmingham’s high expenditure. He said that if he were in their situation, he would have used a similar tactic and advised others to stop’moaning about it’. He also believes that the Blues are ‘not finished yet’.
Speaking on his official podcast, The Hard Truth, MacAnthony said: “I’ve no problem with what Birmingham have done. If I were the size of that club going down, we’d spent a long time in the Championship, and we had that one year when we weren’t constrained by the cap, and we had that amount of time, I’d be like, “We’re all in, we have to do this now, we might not be able to do this in year two.”
“What is the purpose of moaning about it? It is what it is, therefore I have no issue with what Birmingham has done, and they aren’t done yet.”
Jack Clarke rejects new Sunderland contract as club begin to circle
Sunderland winger Jack Clarke is in high demand. Recently, the 23-year-old rejected a new contract offer from the Black Cats, which has piqued the curiosity of clubs affiliated with him.
According to a recent report by Football Insider. Leeds United have been heavily connected with a deal for the midfielder; since Crysencio Summerville left to join West Ham United, the team has been missing in talented wide players. The impending departure of Georginio Rutter, who has had his minimum fee release clause activated by Brighton, has exacerbated their need for additional attacking options.
Because of this, Leeds might make a genuine effort to get Clarke to Elland Road. He will not be cheap, as he still has two years left on his current Sunderland contract, but the funds raised from their recent transactions should allow Leeds plenty of freedom to maneuver.
