January Sales Looming

So in thirty three days from now the January transfer window opens, I know we will all be tucking into our selection boxes and getting intoxicated between now and then but there are a few issues that need addressing.

Erhun Oztumer
What will happen with our Wizard of Oz? The club advised us that a contract has been on the table for him for months but he is no closer to putting pen to paper, its exactly the same situation to Romaine Sawyers, Sam Mantom, Neil Etheridge – just to name a few. We understand that the clubs reputation will see players come, improve and move on but to keep losing quality players for nothing is something that the board must address (however that’s a discussion for another day).

Do we cash in on him now knowing he will not sign a new contract or do we rely on his goals to keep us in League 1 and look for a replacement in the summer?

Clubs going for promotion from League 1 for example – Wigan, Charlton and Blackburn would probably jump at the chance of signing one of the best play makers in League 1 for £100,000 – £250,000 if it helped them gain promotion.

Tyler Roberts
Hes class ins’t he?? Clubs are already sniffing around Tyler with the likes of Arsenal and Wolves mentioned. This one is pretty much out our hands because if Albion want to sell, they will. However we should be discussing the possibility of an extension to his loan deal as soon as Albion appoint a new manager. The thought of not having Oztumer or Roberts in January is worrying considering they have scored thirteen goals between them this season.

Zeli Ismail
Our upturn in form has coincided with Ismail coming into the side and causing problems from a wide position, when he has been played in his favourable position.

Bury are in a transitional period since the sacking of Lee Clark and its unclear whether new boss Chris Lucketti will allow Ismail to return back to a League 1 rival past January but these feelers should be put out now to see if its viable.

Dan Agyei and Shaun Donnellan
You would imagine of all the players mentioned so far Dan Agyei and Shaun Donnellan should be the most straight forward bit of business in January however that will depend on whether Burnley/Albion will want them at a side in mid table or if a club battling promotion comes in then surely they will send them there.

Out of contract players
OK this might not necessarily be a ‘January thing’ but at present we have eight players out of contract next summer – Simeon Jackson, Flo Cuvelier, Joe Edwards, Liam Roberts, Reece Flanagan, Amadou Bakayoko, Liam Kinsella and obviously the aforementioned Erhun Oztumer. Worryingly six of the eight have been a major part of the team at present and sitting down with these guys has to be a priority.

It seems we have yet another transfer window with so many uncertainties, the five year plan seems like a window to window plan at present – hopefully this will be something that the club can look at during next summer to ensure we don’t face this problem each year.