Watford weigh up Hammers' new £8m bid for Young - TalkSoccer

**Olzy** · 13-01-2007, 10:42 AM

Watford's directors were meeting last night to discuss whether to accept an £8m offer from West Ham United for Ashley Young. Alan Curbishley is so keen to sign the England Under-21 forward that West Ham's Icelandic owners have made an offer that would break the club's previous record purchase of Dean Ashton for £7.25m. However, Aston Villa remain in the hunt and Tottenham have also not given up hope of capturing the 21-year-old's signature.

Villa have made a substantial offer, believed to be about £7m, and Watford would no doubt be delighted if the price continues to escalate in a bidding war. They would prefer not to sell to West Ham as relegation rivals, but have not ruled it out if the financial terms are right.
Liverpool have dropped out of the running for Young because of his valuation, but Watford's manager, Aidy Boothroyd, said this week: "There are players out there who have gone for £8m-plus who do not have what he has."

Tottenham, though, are understood to believe the player's choice would be to come to White Hart Lane, where they have bought and nurtured several talented young Englishmen over recent years. Spurs also have two players wanted by Watford in Callum Davenport and Wayne Routledge, though they will not sanction the departure of Davenport unless they first sign another centre-half.

Tottenham are able to recall Routledge from his season's loan at Fulham, who are hopeful of securing a deal for Alexei Smertin next week. The former Chelsea midfielder has indicated he wants to move to Craven Cottage and Fulham are in negotiations with his club, Dynamo Moscow, about a fee.

Fulham will then look to complete a deal for either Everton's Simon Davies or Charlton's Jerome Thomas but have chosen not to pursue an interest in the former France midfielder Vikash Dhorasoo after watching him train. They have made it clear there is no future at the club for Collins John by omitting the striker from the squad to play West Ham today.

Watford have had a £3.25m offer accepted for John but the player has so far declined the move. "We don't want anyone who doesn't want to be here, so it is time for Collins to go," said Fulham's manager, Chris Coleman.

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 13-01-2007, 10:45 AM

He ain't worth that much so Watford should accept the offer.You can get a better squad with new players for £8 million.

Doc-Bhoy · 13-01-2007, 04:26 PM

Is he really worth £8 million? coz it sounds a bit much to me, he aint really set the premiership alight.

**Olzy** · 13-01-2007, 04:32 PM

your right. I think our other young player Bouazza has been much better than him.

To be fair to Young, if you see him running at players, hes a very good player, I dont think he can play upfront that well. Linked up with with Marlon King though.

But Aidy made good points about him:

Hes quick, excellent workrate / attitude, both footed, free kick specialist, takes corners, versatile (striker, winger and cm) and gets goals / assists.

not bad hey?

but for £8m we are laughing

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 13-01-2007, 04:34 PM

Sell him.He's average.

**Olzy** · 13-01-2007, 04:36 PM

He's better prospect than Pennant I would say.

Plus it looks very likely we are going to sell him. I will miss him, great to produce your own players makes it that more 'sad' when they leave.

He wont get to play with his brothers in the yellow shirt.

**kyan** · 13-01-2007, 04:43 PM

imo i think spurs' offer is probably the best.

u get routledge who isnt much worse than young and is doing well at fulham and is still very young and u get a good young cb, if u go down both are more than proven to be brilliant in the championship so ud get a bonus there. plus the £4.5M which would be able to buy u at least 1 more player. so in effect u get 3 players of a similar level for 1.

**Olzy** · 13-01-2007, 04:46 PM

Davenport is supposed to be very mistake prone.

Routledge has a bad attitude apparently.

Plus will these players want to join us? I agree Routledge is a good player havent really seen much of Davenport though.

We shall see what happens/

mr.watford · 13-01-2007, 05:00 PM

Routledge is not bad, but he isn't that good either. We could do better. Davenport is shite.

£8m is far too much for Young and West Ham are fucking idiots if they actually did bid that.

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 13-01-2007, 05:34 PM

Quote:

He's better prospect than Pennant I would say.

That's because you're a Watford fan.You can't compare Young to Pennant.They have a differen't style of play.

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 13-01-2007, 05:34 PM

I think Routledge have been crap this season.

**Olzy** · 13-01-2007, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mighty T.A.L.

That's because you're a Watford fan.You can't compare Young to Pennant.They have a differen't style of play.

Quite similar actually. You've probably never watched Young. Cant judge him on todays performance, he isnt really a striker and then CM is the first time he has played there.

He is a winger, likes to beat players and is a decent crosser of the ball. But will get more goals than Pennant will ever.

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 13-01-2007, 06:24 PM

Maybe...Young ain't that good to score goals he either.He will certain do more goals in a better club off course but I don't rank him as a better player than Pennant.But he can be.

Doc-Bhoy · 13-01-2007, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olzy

your right. I think our other young player Bouazza has been much better than him.

To be fair to Young, if you see him running at players, hes a very good player, I dont think he can play upfront that well. Linked up with with Marlon King though.

But Aidy made good points about him:

Hes quick, excellent workrate / attitude, both footed, free kick specialist, takes corners, versatile (striker, winger and cm) and gets goals / assists.

not bad hey?

but for £8m we are laughing

For £8m surely use have to sell him. He's a gd player but defianetly no where near worth that amount. Wot age is Mcnamee coz he has looked pretty decent the few games ave seen of Watford?

**Olzy** · 13-01-2007, 06:29 PM

Pennant is a average player and isnt going to get much better. He will never score many goals.

Young is younger than him, both footed and will score more goals. He already has in a struggling side.

Imagine if he plays for a decent side and in his more natural role as a winger where he can cut in on either foot.

He got 15 goals in his first full season last year and this season has got a couple to his name.