Did Paul Lambert pay over the odds for Jonny Howson ? In Leeds eyes he did, first Chairman Bates said we did, now Manager Grayson says so to. But I feel there is a tad more to their statements.
Speaking on Yorkshire Radio, Grayson said, "We lost Jonny Howson because it was a good deal for the club and Norwich have probably paid over the odds for a player who was out of contract in a few months` time."
First of all, they may have a element of truth in what they say; we probably could have got Howson for nowt if we had waited until his contract ended, but then would we have been first in line to get his signature ? I am convinced that there would have been a host of clubs in the queue, offering him as much if not more to sign .
Now when you look at the average premier league transfer prices; £2 million doesn't seem like a great amount of money, even with our restrictive budgets. If Howson adapts to life in the premiership like his fellow team mates have, he could be worth more than double by the end of the season and that is just finanicial worth.
I just cannot see how we have paid over the odds at all , I think we have made a very astute signing with so much potenial, plus we got ahead of any rival.
As I said I feel that Messers Bates and Grayson may have some element of truth in their statements, but without looking at the full picture, which of course they wouldn't.
But a large amount of what they say is probably no more than trying to deflect the anger and frustration of their supporters away from allowing another family asset to be sold. By highlighting how good the deal is to the club and justifying their action by saying City paid over the odds in a smirky false sort of way.
Another fine piece of bussiness done for the club by McNally and Lambert
