REDMOND REGRET?

Last week Norwich City manager Chris Hughton completed another singing - securing the services of 19 year old Englishman Nathan Redmond. The problem I have, is that he should be wearing the blue colours of Everton instead of the yellow of Norwich. His previous club, Birmingham City, have seen a decline in footballing standards since relegation from the top flight a few years ago. The clubs prize assets have now been departing. Only a year ago, Goalkeeper Jack Butland and Winger Nathan Redmond were enlisted on the squad sheet for their up and coming 2012/13 Championship campaign. Both in their teens, and both with English nationality made them an expensive pair. Although initially being linked with us and Chelsea, Butland chose the rough-sided Stoke City as his destination in the Winter Transfer Period. The price too was a shock - a bargain at just under £5 million. The cash-strapped team from the Midlands do not wish to end up in the situation of former Premier League side Portsmouth, who this year fell into administration for the the second time in 3 years.
This left a wonderful opportunity to prize away the talent of Redmond. Swansea, Norwich and Everton all reportedly showed interest in the teenager. One newspaper claimed that despite both Swansea and Norwich having bids accepted, he was holding out for a move to Everton. However, no bid arrived from us, and alas he will team up with the Cornets next season. My level of frustration increased dramatically after I looked closer at the facts. Birmingham are desperate for the money, and Redmond is a talented youngster who has bags of potential - snap him up! He reportedly expressed a desire for the Toffees - and who would blame him. The best piece of information is the price. The final fee agreed for Redmond was in the region of £2.7 million. Add ons are to be predicted, but for a player of his level - an absolute steal for sure. Despite only netting 2 goals in the Championship last year, and with a hand full of assists, there is one guarantee - he will only get better! He can play on either wing - a position (like many) that we lack in any great depth. When you compare the prices of former Championship players Wilfred Zaha (£15 million) and Tom Ince (£8 million), it seems mad not to have got involved. I trust Martinez, and hope he can deliver in the transfer-side of things, but this is surely an opportunity which should have been taken.

A missed opportunity maybe?