With the relegation of Peterborough United to League One, the inevitable vultures have already been hovering over London Road to see who they can pick off!
Every team that gets relegated from one League to the next often have other teams looking to pick off their best players at reduced prices and Peterborough United are no different having suffered heartbreak in the final minute of their final League match of the season.
Chairman Darragh MacAnthony has already promised that Posh will be back in the Championship better and stronger but there are some players that we must keep hold of if we are to challenge for promotion back to the Championship.
Two of those players that we need to keep hold of are Dwight Gayle and Lee Tomlin.
Posh only signed Gayle mid-way through the season but he has had a massive impact on the team. He scored 20 goals during the season, 13 of them coming for Posh in the Championship. Signed from Dagenham and Redbridge for around £500,000, his price tag has massively increased following his very impressive performances and goals and it is these performances that has alerted other teams including QPR.
Harry Redknapp, the QPR manager, was at the Crystal Palace game running the rule over a few players on show, one of which is believed to be Gayle. The Palace pair of Yannick Bolasie and the man who scored that fatal goal against Posh, Mile Jedinak, are believed to be the other players Redknapp was watching. Redknapp said to the Fulham and Hammersmith Chronicle: “I was at Palace because there were a few players in that game that have been flagged up to me.”
QPR owner Tony Fernandes wants Redknapp to build a squad around youth mixed with a sprinkling of experience and Gayle certainly fits the bill on that respect being just 22 years old.
We`ve seen Posh stick to their guns before but QPR could tempt Posh with an offer they can`t refuse, especially as Posh will lose millions in revenue following their relegation. QPR are expected to sell some of their stars for around £20 million while they`ll have the added benefit of a £20 million parachute payment meaning they’ll have plenty of cash to splash.
Lee Tomlin is another player who could be in demand as his skills and vision are worthy of being in the Championship. Millwall and Huddersfield Town are rumoured to be interested in Tomlin who has been at Posh for three seasons after signing from non-League Rushden and Diamonds. He has since played 130 matches for Posh scoring 33 goals but has assisted on many more goals.
Other players that could be heading out of the door are Gaby Zakuani, Tommy Rowe and Tyrone Barnett.
Zakuani hinted that he may not be at the club next season after he said on Twitter that he knows “you” will have a successful season! Was this just a slip of the tongue (or finger in this case) or a hint that he won`t be at London Road next season?
Captain Tommy Rowe has had an impressive season and could easily grace a top Championship team or even a lower Premiership team. He is believed to be coming up to the last year of his contract so it will be interesting if Posh want to cash in on Rowe or whether they want to tie him down for years to come.
Striker Tyrone Barnett was one of the rebel players who were suspended by the club earlier in the season but he finished the season as a regular on the subs bench. He had a spell on loan at Ipswich Town after his suspension and they may resurrect their interest in the striker who played four games on loan for them before injury forced his return to Posh. Barnett became Posh’s first ever million pound player and they will want to recoup most, if not all, of that outlay.
Mark Little and Grant McCann could also be heading out of the London Road door but this could be because they have come to the end of their contracts.
Little has arguably been the most consistent player for Posh this season despite spending the whole season on the transfer list while McCann also started the season on the transfer list but was offered an a contract for the season following some impressive displays. Both players have given everything for Posh this season and most Posh fans would love to see the pair offered new contracts, although it could all be down to finances and they will no doubt have to accept a pay deduction if they are to stay.
Grant McCann is obviously keen on staying at London Road and tweeted: “For all those asking about my future, I`m hoping it`s sorted in next few days one way or the other. But deep down I know where I want to be.”.
Manager Darren Ferguson is due to meet up with the squad today to outline plans for the future and to announce his retained list. It`ll be interested to see who he is releasing and who he is keeping.
As soon as the list is announced, Vital Posh will bring you the details.
UP THE POSH
Photos courtesy of www.theposhpics.com
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