Manager Keith Curle on a permanent signing and loan deals
United manager Keith Curle revealed today that he is in talks with an out of contract player with a view to securing his signature until the end of the current season.
“We’re getting close with one,” he said. “We’re at the stage now of going into financial negotiations with a player. We’ll see what happens with that.
“Part of this type of negotiation is for the player to ask for something he knows you won’t give. We then offer something we know he isn’t going to take. Hopefully you then meet somewhere in the middle.
“It’s a player who is out of contract so we would look to be taking him until the end of the season. There’s still a bit of work to do and, as ever, you can never tell what will happen until it’s all done and sorted.”
“We’ve got two other players we’re looking at with a view to striking loan deals,” he continued. “We’ aren’t at the stage of talking about financials with them yet. We’re discussing game time, and other small bits and pieces with their parent clubs.
“You do get certain clubs who say their player has to play if he comes to you on loan. Other football clubs agree to that demand. Unfortunately I won’t.
“That means they probably won’t be done in time for this Saturday mainly because, as I say, one of the parent clubs is insisting their player plays if he comes here. The player does have league experience but that doesn’t guarantee his performance level.
“I don’t think it’s right for anyone to walk into a football club with a guaranteed start for the next four games or so. I don’t think that’s fair. It’s certainly not fair on me, even though I would get him on a cheaper wage than has been recommended. That shouldn’t guarantee him a place, in my opinion.”
On players going out of the club on loan moves, he said: “There is still no more interest in our players who are available. We’re in a busy period, and there will be injuries and suspensions, so teams will need holes to be filled.
“That’s why it’s important for our players to be fit and chomping at the bit. They need to be ready to get game time.”