Two year deal and medical today according to Andy Naylor from The Athletic. As I posted on the long transfer speculation thread, he knows what is going on at Brighton and his word can be believed.

Did it need another thread...?

I've heard the same.

Bit weird how Dyche said nothing is close in yesterday's press conference... Surely if the medical is done today, then he knew about it yesterday?

UpTheClaretsFCBK wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:48 am

I've heard the same.

Bit weird how Dyche said nothing is close in yesterday's press conference... Surely if the medical is done today, then he knew about it yesterday?

What did you want him to say? I wouldn't have expected him to say anything about it. Graham Potter, the Brighton manager, said yesterday there was nothing in it. It's all got out through Naylor.

No problems with this. He's played over 90 PL games in the last three seasons and a decent price. In a position we desperately needed.

If we added Dawson and a wide player, I'd be pretty happy.

2.5mil for a player who’s 31 and can’t get a game now in the last year of his contract....... that we offered 4 mil for in his “prime”.

Niceeeee!!

CT-thanks for update.Certainly a positive in terms of strengthening, and actually I think he will settle in and be hard to push out the team

I think SD is so paranoid about things falling through in the latter stages that he played it with a straight bat. Possible the "second maybe" he mentioned is not far behind

bfccrazy wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:54 am

2.5mil for a player who’s 31 and can’t get a game now in the last year of his contract....... that we offered 4 mil for in his “prime”.

Niceeeee!!

If he ends up costing 2.5m it will mean we have stayed up for the next 2 seasons.

Shrewd signing. Gives us quality cover without having to fork out a significant fee. Allows us to strengthen in areas where we definitely will need to spend a few million. Starting 11 worthy CB and wide midfielder needed now.

bfccrazy wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:54 am

2.5mil for a player who’s 31 and can’t get a game now in the last year of his contract....... that we offered 4 mil for in his “prime”.

Niceeeee!!

I think if we end up paying 2.5, both he and the club will have been quite successful

This has probably been covered already, but this is definitely a Dyche signing rather than a Rigg signing. Same with the link with Dawson.

NottsClaret wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 10:00 am

This has probably been covered already, but this is definitely a Dyche signing rather than a Rigg signing. Same with the link with Dawson.

Dyche often states we end up with 4th or 5th targets, so those who are highlighting his age, contract situation etc. should remember that he likely wasn't our first target but that he's a player Dyche obviously likes and fits with our apparent lack of finance.

Happy with this. No risk signing with plenty of experience. Also allows Brownhill to go out wide if needed when we are really stretched.

Row Z wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 10:02 am

Dyche often states we end up with 4th or 5th targets, so those who are highlighting his age, contract situation etc. should remember that he likely wasn't our first target but that he's a player Dyche obviously likes and fits with our apparent lack of finance.

Seems like £1m up front, £750k Per year if we stay up next two years.

Basically as close as you’ll get to a free as I’m sure Newcastle will have paid Hendrick something similar to secure his signing.

Zlatan wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:47 am

Did it need another thread...?

Yes for those who have given up accessing a 70+ page thread full of bickering and devoid of transfer news

Be interesting to see who the second potential signing is. My money on Ben Davies CH at Preston

bfccrazy wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:54 am

2.5mil for a player who’s 31 and can’t get a game now in the last year of his contract....... that we offered 4 mil for in his “prime”.

Niceeeee!!

And an experienced Premier League player which is what we desperately need right now.

bfccrazy wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:54 am

2.5mil for a player who’s 31 and can’t get a game now in the last year of his contract....... that we offered 4 mil for in his “prime”.

Niceeeee!!

£1m - no need to lie.

warksclaret wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 10:11 am

Be interesting to see who the second potential signing is. My money on Ben Davies CH at Preston

Potential second signing? Where have you seen this reported?

Does Stephens normally play on the right or left side of central midfield? (is he a natural cover for Cork).

He hardly leaves the centre circle so it does not matter.

NewClaret wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 10:09 am

Seems like £1m up front, £750k Per year if we stay up next two years.

Basically as close as you’ll get to a free as I’m sure Newcastle will have paid Hendrick something similar to secure his signing.

No brainer at that price for premier league experience. Significantly strenghtens that position given our lack of options at Leicester.

Pleased with the signing and hope that its the first of a number over the next few weeks.

jtv wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 10:10 am

Yes for those who have given up accessing a 70+ page thread full of bickering and devoid of transfer news

Don’t worry this thread will be the same in a few pages

Good signing. Cheap with great experience. Our first team is good enough to stay up, we just need adequate cover. Yes, it might be a disappointment to not be strengthening the first 11, but given the circumstances I don't think we can whinge. Let's hope for another one or two.

I wonder who will be the first poster to call him Stephen?

Will be a good signing will Stevens.

I thought he had a very good game against us last game of the season.

Hope he's as good as Trevor

He’s not exciting, but at 2.5 million he strengthens the squad and is reasonable value.

joey13 wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 10:27 am

Don’t worry this thread will be the same in a few pages

If it is there will be some who won'd find posting as easy. Too many people are getting sick to the back teeth of the bickering.

Improves the squad - when Cork is back fit it will mean we actually have four central midfielders that Dyche is willing to play as a starter in that position for the first time in ages.

If we can somehow keep Tarky and sign a winger, I would be more than content.

EDIT - FOUR! Not three.

Zlatan wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:47 am

Did it need another thread...?

Wait another 24 hours and you will be able to read a full article

matttheclaret wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:54 am

No problems with this. He's played over 90 PL games in the last three seasons and a decent price. In a position we desperately needed.

If we added Dawson and a wide player, I'd be pretty happy.

You are very very easily pleased.

Good signing for me, ready made to slot in. It's the sort of player we need to buy us a bit of time to allow the likes of Thomas, Richardson, Thompson and Glennon to advance their claims. Hopefully a couple of the young lads will make that step up.

Really chuffed with this signing, given our predicament. A solid, experienced player with a good attitude. Perfect for Dyche to have at his disposal.

As others have said it's a decent signing. In the main Brighton fans sorry to see him go, only leaving due to a change in style.
Plenty of experience and once Cork is fit 4 Strong options in the centre with some flexibility.
My gut thinks Worral will be incoming as they are signing Mckenna, I can only see Dawson coming if Tarks leaves which hopefully is not happening although Leicester could make a last-minute approach as struggling to get Fofana.
For the wide position, we could go back in for Quaison especially with the money saved on Stephens and maybe Worral.
If not a loan deal might be the answer, some big players not getting games at the moment and clubs willing to pay 50% of wages. Moses at Chelsea, Walcott at Everton etc. Might sound fanciful but might be possible.

jtv wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 10:10 am

Yes for those who have given up accessing a 70+ page thread full of bickering and devoid of transfer news

I gave up on that thread yonks ago!

Will certainly add the height and, more important bite, to our central midfield
Beggars can't be choosers

leightonjameslegend wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 10:58 am

As others have said it's a decent signing. In the main Brighton fans sorry to see him go, only leaving due to a change in style.
Plenty of experience and once Cork is fit 4 Strong options in the centre with some flexibility.
My gut thinks Worral will be incoming as they are signing Mckenna, I can only see Dawson coming if Tarks leaves which hopefully is not happening although Leicester could make a last-minute approach as struggling to get Fofana.
For the wide position, we could go back in for Quaison especially with the money saved on Stephens and maybe Worral.
If not a loan deal might be the answer, some big players not getting games at the moment and clubs willing to pay 50% of wages. Moses at Chelsea, Walcott at Everton etc. Might sound fanciful but might be possible.

We are still a centre half short even with Tarky. As for Quaison, I’ve been told that ship has sailed.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 10:13 am

And an experienced Premier League player which is what we desperately need right now.

We've plenty of PL experience players. What we desperately need, for the future of the club both financially and on the field, are younger players with sell on potential.

£2.5m +£30k per week for a player a team worse than us doesn't want, that is in the final year of his contract. How much of the budget is that do you reckon? What a waste.

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 10:20 am

Potential second signing? Where have you seen this reported?

Just being optimistic. Dyche said yesterday there were a "couple of maybes". Taking Stephens was one of them

Mattster wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 11:15 am

We've plenty of PL experience players. What we desperately need, for the future of the club both financially and on the field, are younger players with sell on potential.

£2.5m +£30k per week for a player a team worse than us doesn't want, that is in the final year of his contract. How much of the budget is that do you reckon? What a waste.

Well for a start it isn't 2.5m of the budget, why when someone is against something do they feel the need to lie

Mattster wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 11:15 am

£2.5m +£30k per week for a player a team worse than us doesn't want, that is in the final year of his contract. How much of the budget is that do you reckon? What a waste.

I can hear John McEnroe in the distance.

Judging the signing on its own, I welcome it. It sounds like good value for a player with plenty of Premier League experience who can provide competition. However, in the wider scheme of things, I am concerned that the average age of our squad continues to creep up. A 28-year-old central midfielder out and replaced with a 31-year-old.

I assume we're finding it harder and harder to identify younger, promising players (such as Brownhill) that are available within our limited budget. However, there will come a point where Garlick is going to have to pull his finger out and make quite a few signings in one window. That's the trouble when you have so many players age 30+ in the squad at any one time. I do worry we're just kicking the can down the road and it will be problematic later.

A good signing. I’m sure if he’s been on our list for a while, his attitude and behaviour has been well vetted. He’ll also be familiar with us.

Mattster wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 11:15 am

We've plenty of PL experience players. What we desperately need, for the future of the club both financially and on the field, are younger players with sell on potential.

£2.5m +£30k per week for a player a team worse than us doesn't want, that is in the final year of his contract. How much of the budget is that do you reckon? What a waste.

I agree about us needing to be looking to the future in terms of signings - this isn’t a signing for that - but it’s a cheap option that brings a useful addition to the squad.

He will offer more to us centrally than Hendrick did (although he was useful in other ways). It’s a steady but unspectacular signing.

claretonthecoast1882 wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 11:17 am

Well for a start it isn't 2.5m of the budget, why when someone is against something do they feel the need to lie

You don't think Garlick will be taking into account the add ons when considering other bids?

Mattster wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 11:20 am

You don't think Garlick will be taking into account the add ons when considering other bids?

If he is he will also be accounting for 2 more years of Premier league money not parachute payments.

claretonthecoast1882 wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 11:21 am

If he is he will also be accounting for 2 more years of Premier league money not parachute payments.

Those amounts are completely up in the air in the current situation. He's cautious, we all know this, so more likely he'll be considering the things that are set in stone - such as these add ons.

Our net spend last season was £5m, rising to £10m with the second payment for Jay. We're tightening our belts this season by all accounts so not hard to imagine that budget is no more than £10m this season (hence why no rumoured bids have exceeded that amount the £8m bid for Quaison, £4m for Worrall etc.). So £1m rising to £2.5m is a significant amount for us, it's not cheap.

Mattster wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 23, 2020 11:15 am

£2.5m +£30k per week for a player a team worse than us doesn't want, that is in the final year of his contract. How much of the budget is that do you reckon? What a waste.

Not that signing unwanted players from other clubs (or even relegated clubs) has done us any harm in the past......