Michael Smith will only leave Darlington if the price is right, after three clubs made an offer for the teenage striker. Any potential buyers must complete a deal before the transfer window closes at 11pm tonight if they wish to make a permanent transfer. The 19-year-old has had trials with Stoke City and Watford with the Hornets understood to be one of three clubs to have made an offer. Manager Mark Cooper says that Smith will not leave The Northern Echo Arena unless Quakers' valuation is met for a player that they turned down an £80,000 bid for from Bristol City in May.
"There's clubs interested in him and a few offers have been made, but if the offers don't match the chairman's valuation he won't be going," said Cooper.
"And the clubs that we're speaking about, I would think he'd like to join them."
If Smith were to leave it would not have an impact on Cooper's selection plans as the player is not among the four strikers currently competing for a starting berth.
I wouldn't go too much into his scoring per games ratio. I'm sure the scouts and management have done their homework, and besides, surrounded by the talent we have in our team, he'd probably get a lot more chances to score than with Darlo, along with a higher level of coaching.
As he's not one of the top 4 strikers at his club, This is surely being seen purely as an investment rather than a direct replacement for Benson (assuming he leaves).
Tango flash, it doesn't say he isn't one of the top four strikers at the club just that he isn't one of the four competing for a starting place. Big difference. My guess is that for them 100k is a huge amount of money and they can't risk him getting injured. Also with him set to go they probably thought to ignore him as they are going to have to make do without anyway.
According to their website he was born on 4/9/88 which makes him 23 next week.............not 19 as the SLP suggests.............hardly a youngster !!!
According to their website he was born on 4/9/88 which makes him 23 next week.............not 19 as the SLP suggests.............hardly a youngster !!!
Bit old for a teenager . . . I assume the Northern Echo would know.
The move is not yet done and dusted but it looks highly likely that Smith will join up with the London club. For most fans it will be a surprise to see a club of Charltons stature snap him up but people in football seem to rate him highly. The move will suit both clubs well as Smith had not featured this season anyway and the money will come in handy.
As for the figure, no idea, but Notts County and Bristol City were the other clubs involved.
The deal is great for the club as Smith has never been a regular starter for the club and really only played last season when we were struggling up front with Liam Hatch covering defensive duties. He must be 'one for the future' as to be honest I have never seen anything of star quality about him. But that is why I am not working in football I guess, because I cannot spot these things.
Good luck to Michael, yet another young player who follows the likes of Dan Burn (Fulham), David Stockdale (Fulham) and even though we released him Curtis Main (Middlesbrough).
Comments
http://www.darlington-fc.net/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10339~45038,00.html
Michael Smith will only leave Darlington if the price is right, after three clubs made an offer for the teenage striker. Any potential buyers must complete a deal before the transfer window
closes at 11pm tonight if they wish to make a permanent transfer. The 19-year-old has had trials with Stoke City and Watford with the
Hornets understood to be one of three clubs to have made an offer. Manager Mark Cooper says that Smith will not leave The Northern Echo
Arena unless Quakers' valuation is met for a player that they turned
down an £80,000 bid for from Bristol City in May.
"There's clubs interested in him and a few offers have been made, but
if the offers don't match the chairman's valuation he won't be going,"
said Cooper.
"And the clubs that we're speaking about, I would think he'd like to join them."
If Smith were to leave it would not have an impact on Cooper's
selection plans as the player is not among the four strikers currently
competing for a starting berth.
Does not mention us directly however.
As he's not one of the top 4 strikers at his club, This is surely being seen purely as an investment rather than a direct replacement for Benson (assuming he leaves).
Sounds like buying a young player with potential on the pitch and a potential re-sale value. Nothing wrong in that.
Got an update on #cafc, as reported elsewhere they want Darlington striker Michael Smith but it is three-way fight..
Has to be another striker who would potentially be able to slot straight in to the team if required.
At this rate he'll be 6ft 7 around 1pm.
I wish!!
Too short
Solly can stand on his shoulders and raise the height to 14ft.
Why???? What has he done for Leeds??
http://www.darlofc.co.uk/news.php?NewsID=634
Quakers young striker Michael Smith looks set to join Charlton Athletic.
The move is not yet done and dusted but it looks highly likely that Smith will join up with the London club. For most fans it will be a surprise to see a club of Charltons stature snap him up but people in football seem to rate him highly. The move will suit both clubs well as Smith had not featured this season anyway and the money will come in handy.
As for the figure, no idea, but Notts County and Bristol City were the other clubs involved.
The deal is great for the club as Smith has never been a regular starter for the club and really only played last season when we were struggling up front with Liam Hatch covering defensive duties. He must be 'one for the future' as to be honest I have never seen anything of star quality about him. But that is why I am not working in football I guess, because I cannot spot these things.
Good luck to Michael, yet another young player who follows the likes of Dan Burn (Fulham), David Stockdale (Fulham) and even though we released him Curtis Main (Middlesbrough).