That was always going to be the big question – what's the quickest way to fill that �1.5 million hole left by the Turners exit?
Answer… get West Ham to flog Dean Ashton to Spurs for �18 mill.
That then, of course, goes all Pete Tong when Hammers chief exec Scott Duxbury does his 'Hell will have to freeze over…' speech only for Deano to then do his ankle in training.
Given that and what's kicked off in Iceland of late and Mr Duxbury will be kicking himself somewhere. Big-time.
So, Plan B. Get someone to take Joe Lewis off Posh's hands.
Cue this little scenario – one-time City loan keeper Lee Camp is being quietly shown the door at Loftus Road as Iain Dowie persuades Rangers' big-time owners that a certain England Under-21 keeper formerly of this parish is the boy. All six-foot six of him.
The one that left last January for �400,000. With a big sell-on attached.
That Rangers have the cash for that kind of swoop is not in doubt; nor is the fact that they're in the market for a bright, new shiny keeper – albeit under the cloak of waving good-bye to Camp who has got itchy feet after losing his No1 slot to the 34-year-old Czech, Radek Cerny. Decent enough stopper, but probably not one for the future.
“I understand his position and we won't stand in his way,” said Gianni Paladini, the club's sporting director. “Lee's a good, young keeper but isn't in the team at the moment and he wants to play. If he goes we will want to sign another keeper.”
Cue the whispers of a move for Big Joe – and that sell-on kicking in.
Not going to cover the whole of that �1.5 million hole, but as we all start to feel the squeeze it'll come in more than handy… if old Barry Fry can pull the big money deal out of the bag.
“Joe is part of the side and we don't want to let any of our players leave the club,” our Barry told Sky Sports today. “The board have backed the manager all the way and have proven, by rejecting big offers for both Mackail-Smith and Aaron McLean, that they have the backbone to keep our stars here.”
Barry, Barry… come on, son, there's a deal there. And you know it, too.
Let the games begin…
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