Jordan Rhodes yes, £8 million no

The random transfer links are back, and naturally they’re made all the more random because we’re kind of lacking a manager, surely a pretty important element to any potential move? Anyway small matters like this don’t seem to matter to the national media, and the Daily Mail have us, as well as Fulham and Everton linked with the prolific Huddersfield Town player.

I like Rhodes, and he does look a top prospect but there is no way I’d like to see us spend £8 million on a player who as good as he looks, has only produced the business in league one. It’s a staggering amount of money really, and when you consider you could get a very decent striker from Europe for around the same kind of money it speaks volumes for how messed up football is in this country. There has always been a premium on British players, and we’ve been burnt many a time previously. We spent £6 or so million on Delph, another player who looked the business in the lower leagues and we’re still waiting to see if he can make the grade.

It is a massive step up to the Premiership from the Championship, yet alone further beyond that and while I believe Rhodes has what it takes, I think a more realistic fee should be £4-5 million, but fair play to Huddersfield for trying to get the most out of the deal. He’s scored 40 goals to date this season, and you have to imagine he’ll play a big part in the League One play off final against Sheffield United. Looking at Villa and we have a prolific striker already at the club, our main issue seems to be creating the chances.

Simon Grayson is of course the current Huddersfield manager, and there were various rumours that he was one of the names in the frame for the managers job. I can’t see that happening, and while he is young and has previous Villa links, I don’t think we should be targeting a manager previously sacked by a Championship team (Leeds). I’d like to see Rhodes at Villa, I really would, but not for £8 million.

As it’s the thirtieth anniversary of the proudest day in our clubs history, just a quick note from us here at Up the Villa thanking everyone involved. Whatever happens with the club, we’ll always have that moment and it’s nice to know that the club we all love, has won one of the biggest prizes in football.

UTV.