Ade is still a Claret

Last updated : 17 January 2006 By Tony Scholes

Akinbiyi has been with the Clarets for less than a year but there has been speculation for some time that he could be a target, particularly from Sheffield United. Despite reports in some national newspapers though, we have not turned down a big offer for him.

Steve was very frustrated after Saturday’s defeat at Cardiff, particularly with them having three new players in their squad. He wants to strengthen his squad but with finances as they are at Turf Moor just now the only way may be to sell one of the current players.

That will immediately point to Ade who would surely bring a bigger fee than the £600,000 we paid to bring him to the Turf from Stoke. But there’s no doubt that the manager would prefer to keep him and said, “We’re looking at the paper every day to see whether we are selling Ade. It’s not a big worry, it’s a pain in the ass.”

Steve went on to say, “Cardiff are looking at bringing more players in and that is sometimes the measure. They can speculate while we have to wait with baited breath to see if we sell someone before we can speculate. It’s not ideal really.”