Gary Hooper deal close as several clubs express interest in the striker
THERE are four or five clubs showing an interest in Scunthorpe United striker Gary Hooper.
And though none of them has yet come up with a bid to match the Iron's asking price – believed to be around £2½million – a deal might not be far away.
-
That's the message from club chairman Steve Wharton as speculation continues to rage about the future of the 22-year-old striker.
Newly-promoted Premier League outfit Newcastle United are the latest club rumoured to be chasing the Scunthorpe hot-shot.
"There has been so much speculation in the media about Gary and most of it is rubbish," said Wharton.
"I am not going to get involved in responding to it.
"Everyone is aware that things are going on in the background.
"There are four or five clubs who have shown a potential interest in Gary.
"I am not going to tell you who they are, but it is fair to say that none of the offers we have received have matched the valuation that we have on him.
"If they had, then Gary would probably not still be here now.
"Negotiations are quite difficult at this level. There is a lot of money involved.
"I am sure there might be an element of brinkmanship involved but I do feel we are reaching a stage where we are not a long, long way apart.
"But we are not going to let Gary go for less than we think he is worth."
Hooper was expected to feature in United's official team photograph for 2010/11 which was due to be taken at Glanford Park today.
Wharton also expects him to be involved in Saturday's pre-season friendly at home to Sheffield Wednesday.
"I would love to see Gary still playing for us this season," the United chairman confessed.
"But the reality is, if someone comes along with the sort of bid we are looking for, then it would be difficult for us to turn it down.
"And from Gary's point of view, he would not be very happy if he was denied the opportunity to join a bigger club."
United are looking for a club record deal for Hooper, who cost them £175,000 from Southend two years ago.
The Shrimpers also have a 20 per cent sell-on clause on their former player, who did not make the grade at Roots Hall.
Scunthorpe's current record deal is £2million for striker Billy Sharp's move back to Sheffield United three years ago.
Celtic, Middlesbrough, Leeds and Derby County have all been linked in the media with an interest in Hooper – but it may well be there is a club that has managed to stay lurking under the radar that could prove his final destination.
25 Comments
View all
by dazza, scunthorpe
Friday, July 23 2010, 4:14PM
“John, Dubai how can we buy billy sharp when he signed for Doncaster rovers last week for 1.5million”
by John, Dubai
Friday, July 23 2010, 12:44PM
“Hope Gary does not go but if he does and we get the £2.5 mill, I'm sure we could invest £1.25mill to bring Sharp back - he has proven his worth at this level”
by 1500club, On a one month loan
Friday, July 23 2010, 10:57AM
“Jonny, Herts - while you are comparing the increase in revenue generated from player sales since Laws walked out....(and under Adkins, the coffers have been truely swollen)...compare the cash we've spent compared to ten years ago - oddly similar to that Div four period.
We clearly need to sell to survive but at some point, it needs to be re-invested in the stadium, the club, the youth set up and the team...until that starts happening we must just enjoy the 'blip', cos it wont last.
I hope this 'reality check' ruins the rest of your day!
Up the Iron!”
by tommy hooper, old show ground
Thursday, July 22 2010, 10:21PM
“be a good move to go to hull city..as they would offer gary better chances of premiership football..gary has seen the light scunthorpe are doomed to relegation .then who would want him.”
by Jonny, Herts
Thursday, July 22 2010, 8:19PM
“1500. How can you say it's made no difference. Just look at the outgoing transfer fees we've had over the past few years and compare to what we had 10 years ago. You also need to consider the higher wages we are paying these days.
To be honest I'm sick of jokers like you lambasting the club for running SUFC successfully.”
by pot kettle, anywhere
Thursday, July 22 2010, 7:46PM
“people slate clubs that get into financial difficulties yet still openly encourage 'our' club to do exactly the same???
the truth is as a post said earlier, at present we are a league two club budget wise trying to survive in the championship. enjoy the challenge and get behind the next sharp, hayes, keogh, beckford, hooper!!
up the iron!”
by 1500club, Club Tropicana
Thursday, July 22 2010, 6:24PM
“We could average 20,000 a week and we'd still have to sell players....we do well to maintain triple the average of ten years ago, when a decade of Laws' inability to turn a single sows ear into a silk purse (his first sale of significance being Paul Hayes to Barnsley)...but it has't made any difference ... supporters could accept this attitude by the club, were we too see a remote bit of ambition of the pitch, that is where the problem lays - the Mickey Mouse/town hall joke imagery of a club incapable of capitalising on anything other than the managers knack of signing cheap/class players.
Fantastic - lets all get another 3,000 to turn up to the shed, that'll be the answer then! I knew it must be thwe supporters fault, eh 'guys'...
Up the Iron!”
by Brian, Hooper hangout
Thursday, July 22 2010, 6:13PM
“Guys - the truth is that Wharton or Adkins do not want any publicity and they will negotiate as long as possible (behind the scenes) to get the job done. It is the job of the media to try to extract snippits of information to appease the fans. The fact remains is we need to sell Hooper to balance the books. The same as each year in the past but now made worst by the club over achieving. If as true supporters instead of whinging we could actually encourage another 2000 to 3000 supporters to every game the books would be much much easier to balance. UTI!!!!”
by 1500club, Lincs
Thursday, July 22 2010, 6:09PM
“Might not be a bad thing, were Hooper to picjk up a knock in a friendly - I'd love to see him stay another year and leave on a free transfer.
How much of the Sharp, Keogh or Paterson fees were re-injected back into the squad or ground?
Up the Iron/ONE GARY HOOPER!”
by Irvine Super Saver, Scunny Market
Thursday, July 22 2010, 6:03PM
“So if Wharton wont comment, Hooper himsel wont comment and his Dad wont speak - why has SET spent the entire speculating on this 'done deal'?
How's about focusing on the youth team or asking questions on the lack of ground developments etc?
Rubbish.”