Remember how when Everton signed Jermaine Beckford (who was free bare in mind), we all laughed and said he would struggle and be a waste of money in terms of wages? Well, that turned out to be a load of rubbish then!
That doesn’t necessarily mean that lightning will strike twice, according to that most reliable of source The News Of The World Liverpool and Everton are battling it out over prolific Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard. Lets hope for fans of both clubs this is one is more Tim Cahill and less Ade Akinbiyi.
Maynard began his career coming through the prolific youth academy at Crewe Alexandra in 1994 and he went on to represent the club at every youth level before he broke into the first team in the 2005-2006 season when he made a single appearance in which he scored. From that point on the Cheshire born striker was an important fixture in the team for 2 seasons in which time he scored 35 goals in 67 games.
Crewe was approached by Bristol City before the 2008/09 season and a deal was agreed that would take the player to the South West for £2.5million. He has continued to demonstrate good form and in the elapsing time since he has notched up 35 goals in 95 games.
There have been reports for a while linking him with other teams, Wolves supposedly offered £3million for the player who they wanted to offer Premiership football too. The deal never came too fruition and even though his start to this term has been delayed through injuries there are still a host of clubs watching him.
The sides most closely linked to the forward are Merseyside clubs Liverpool and Everton. It is believed that Bristol City have slapped an incredible £10million price tag on the player, a price which surely will put both clubs in question off somewhat. It is common knowledge that Everton are run on a bit of a shoestring, and paying that amount of money for a player who has never played outside of the Championship would represent a huge gamble. Just because they did well before with the signing of Cahill and Beckford who was free, doesn’t necessarily mean that it would happen again. Even if the Toffee’s were to sell one of Arteta or Rodwell this summer surely they wouldn’t gamble it all on Maynard.
For Liverpool, things are slightly different. Whilst they are not short of money under their new owners, it could still potentially be a gamble. Clearly should Kenny Dalglish move for the striker this Summer he would be someway down the pecking order behind Suarez, Carroll, Kuyt (should he stay) and potentially any other striker that may come in this Summer.
The pressure on the strikers shoulders were be less than at say Everton, but it is still a lot of money and I am not entirely sure he is worth the figure quoted by his club. It also begs the question where would this leave David N’Gog? Although hopefully for Liverpool fans days of relying on him are over!
Even if a deal were done closer to £7million I am still not convinced it would be a great bit of business for either side, not to take anything away from Maynard, it just seems a step too far at this stage of his career, but there again managers, coaches and scouts are paid to make these decisions and I’m not, so who knows?
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