No new bids for Mustapha Carayol, says Bristol Rovers chairman
BRISTOL Rovers have yet to receive any further offers for Mustapha Carayol.
Chairman Nick Higgs confirmed last week that Rovers had turned down a six-figure fee from an unnamed Championship club, rumoured to have been from Derby County, for the winger, pictured.
-
Mustapha Carayol
Speculation yesterday suggested Middlesbrough were the latest club to enter the race for Carayol's services with a formal offer over the weekend, but Higgs said: "There is nothing new to report.
"We rejected an offer from a Championship club last week and one from another club in January.
Contact us today for a 50% Reduction off of our Management Set Up Fee
Terms: For full Terms & Conditions, contact us today
Contact: 0117 370 7570
Valid until: Saturday, June 06 2015
"We've had inquiries from a lot of clubs about Mustapha, but so far I can only confirm that there have been two formal offers."
Mowbray, however, is in the market for wingers and is believed to be ready to test the water with an opening bid in the region of £175,000.
Rovers, meanwhile, are keen to keep Carayol and have tabled the offer of a new deal with new and improved terms in an attempt to persuade the winger to extend his stay beyond the initial two-year period agreed when he was signed by Paul Buckle last summer.
Manager Mark McGhee has already warned interested parties that Carayol would not be available on the cheap should they be forced to part company with their star playing asset before the start of the new season.
"We have to respect his career, but, as a club, we are entitled to achieve the value that we should be getting," said McGhee, when asked about the offer that was rejected last week.
"Muzzy is still a young player with a lot more to come. I'm hoping that no one will come for him, but I think that's unrealistic.
"We're not going to get in the way of his career progress and I think we have to be fair to him. I hope he's still here at the start of the season, but that remains to be seen. Nonetheless, we still hope to have a successful season with or without Muzzy."
Crewe's Steve Phillips, the former Bristol Rovers goalkeeper, believes Nick Powell is destined for the top of English football.
England Under-18 international Powell illuminated Sunday's npower League Two play-off final against Cheltenham with a sumptuous turn and shot to open the scoring and set Alex on their way to a 2-0 victory.
Manchester United reportedly lead a clutch of top-flight clubs chasing his signature. "He's as good as I've seen at his age by a country mile," said Phillips. "I'm not going to say he's the finished article by a long way, but he is an astonishing talent."
Comments
by manchestergas
Wednesday, May 30 2012, 7:20PM
“westwardy - he has a legally binding contract so it is not for him to decide anything! And nor for you either. We can easily hang onto him until at least jan, or even until the end of his contract if this can't be sorted out either way.
Clubs will soon realise that they will have to offer a lot of money (maybe £500k). if silly figures like £100k are bandied around gas will simply reject them. he's worth more than that to us playing for another year. He could be the difference between promotion or nothing, so we would let him go out of contract rather than accept a small offer.”
by Magger1
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 8:34PM
“I think the player should jump at any move up the leagues as footy is a short career and you need to make the most of it,I don't know a lot about him ,but a move to the championship should suit both parties..good luck kid”
by bluecamel
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 4:47PM
“Westy - eg : One word "Lambert" enough said.”
by westywardy
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 4:42PM
“what when he could play Championship football and prob treble his wages. He would be a fool.”
by bluecamel
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 4:21PM
“If Muzzy stay's and the club have hopefully a good season next term, Muzzy could be worth a lot more and also do his career a lot of good.
Stay with the Gas Muzzy, you have moved around far too much - build a solid reputation under Mark's management
Fingers crossed”
by jammy79
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 11:13AM
“But others have mentioned £150,000, try to be balanced. Anyway a few years ago your mob forked out over 2mil for Maynard from div3 so quoting 1 mil isn't completely ridiculous for this type of player.”
by westywardy
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 10:54AM
“and i heard Rovers fans talking about a million for him!!”