Now this is the way to ward off potential buyers like Liverpool and Arsenal. Slap a ridiculous price tag on a player that no one in their right mind would pay.
But West Ham manager Sam Allardyce could be playing a dangerous game with centre back Winston Reid, who is currently involved in a contract wrangle with his club.
Because the defender’s current deal expires at the end of the season, at which point he could leave for nothing.
The Daily Mail reports:
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce slaps £20m price tag on defender Winston Reid in bid to fend off Arsenal and Liverpool
At 26, Reid has risen to prominence for The Hammers over the last year. He has 18 caps for New Zealand but he didn’t make it to Brazil as his country was eliminated by Mexico in the World Cup playoffs in November 2013.
At 26 you can understand why Reid would want to negotiate the best possible contract – most probably the biggest one he will ever sign.
But, even in today’s market, he isn’t worth anything like £20m. Liverpool could do with a real powerhouse in the centre of defence as Skrtel and Lovren haven’t looked watertight this season. With Sakho also prone to mistakes Brendan Rodgers hasn’t really picked a winner yet and it would come as little surprise if Liverpool did invest in that area again.
But they need a dead cert next time around. An accomplished centre back of the highest quality. For all his qualities, Reid isn’t that. He’s got no Champions League experience and there is no telling how he would settle in at Anfield.
Let’s take a look at Reid in action. Liverpool fans: worth the gamble or would you sooner look elsewhere?
