Keane ups his defender fee

Tuesday 26th August 2008, 11:30AM BST.

higginbotham.jpegWolves have been told they must up their bid if they want to sign Sunderland defender Danny Higginbotham.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane today confirmed that he had rejected an offer of around £1.25m received from an unidentified club last week.

But, despite reports of rival interest from one of Higginbotham’s former clubs Stoke, it is largely thought that the opening gambit came from Molineux to signal the start of a transfer pursuit that is sure to gain momentum as the days tick down to the transfer window closing.

Keane today declined to name the club but said the bid was way short of the value on Higginbotham’s head, a player who cost £2.5m a year ago.

Keane said: “We had a bid for Danny which we turned down last week.

“We paid good money for him and since then he has played more than 20 Premier League games.

“Anyone thinks his value has halved since we bought him, has another think coming.

“He has done very well for us in pre-season, has looked good in training in the first few weeks of this season and he’s a good squad player.”

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has confirmed he is in the market for two more signings before the deadline arrives and having lost Jody Craddock and now George Elokobi is sure to be even keener on Higginbotham, a defender who can handle both their positions.

McCarthy still has players on the transfer-list although two of them, Stephen Elliott and Darren Potter, are in the squad on duty against Rotherham in the Carling Cup tonight with the promise from the manager that they will not be frozen out if no deal emerges.

“If the window comes and goes without a move for them, then they will be involved in the squad,” pledged McCarthy. “They will be Wolves players and if they are needed they will be included.

“But I would also like to bring some players in before the window closes. 

“We’ve got a really good squad of players, not a massive amount but 18 to 20 good outfield players.”


  1. 1
    Jon

    Super Mick McCarthy

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  2. 2
    Jon

    We needed another defender before craddock got injured.now i think we need at least 2 or maybe three.one more injury and we could be in trouble

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  3. 3
    Eddie Wolf

    Interesting! You can see Keanes point. Higginbotham is still at a good age and with another year of Premier League experience under his belt, he should not have had his value halved. It begs the question whether he is our main target, testing the water a little with someone else in mind. But hwo often have we lost out on players through dawdling with tranfer fees? If we want him, stump it up!

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  4. 4
    richtee

    Keane wants to start a bidding war me thinks by that??

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  5. 5
    Robo;;Wolf

    Okay so one is no doubt gonna be Higginbotham if we up our bid for him if it is us that have bid for him sooo.. I wonder who else we could be linked with? =/

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  6. 6
    optimistic wolf

    Must be on good wages too.No way he’ll come here on the cheap.

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  7. 7
    Fullmoon

    I am sure MM has someone in mind.Keep the faith ;)

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  8. 8
    Happy Wolf

    I don’t think his value has halved. 1.2million is about right for this fella. Just Roy Keane as usual decided to splash out silly money on players last season, Higgingbotham being one of them. He’s a good player, but is not and never has been worth £2.5million. And if Anton Ferinand is worth 8 million then that is ridiculous. The man is a plonker. Stick to your guns Wolves. Do not offer any more for this player. If we get him great, if not it’s not the end of the world!

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  9. 9
    laughingwolf

    Keane makes me laugh, wolves should not pay 2.5 for a bloke who is nearly 30. Pay 3 mil and get berra, pay 500k get anthony gerrard and get gunter on loan from spurs, lovely!

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  10. 10
    blondewolf

    pay the money for him hes worth it!class player.

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  11. 11
    hindmarch

    This deal (or no deal) could make or break any promotion push we may mount. I remember WBA buying Leon Barnett for near on £3 million at this time of the year. Either we are serious about promotion, or we’re just serious about talking about it.

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  12. 12
    brummie rob wolves

    Higginbotham would be a good signing but I would bid £2 million tops – a big offer for Wolves. We tend to hover around the £1 – 1.5 million mark.
    As for tonight we should play Ikeme, Jones, Gray,Edwards, Vokes and Keogh from the off!

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  13. 13
    Filtonwolf (Bristol)

    Don’t often agree with Roy Keane, but I think this time he is right. They paid £2.5m last year for this guy. If we’re are so interested in him why offer half that ? We need to get in there with a decent offer – say £2m otherwise he’ll be off somewhere else. If MM can then still bring in a couple more signings to strengthen defence and midfield all the better.

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  14. 14
    Wolves on a cup run!

    Lets see what team MM plays 2nite, we could unearth the talents of Dan Jones & give him a run in the team to cover big George! We need Higginbotham as Ward & Collins arent good enough to join Stearman & leads us to the Prem! Splash the cash Morgan now!!!

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  15. 15
    Billywiseman

    Happy Wolf-Do not agree-A hard take no prisoners defender-Just what we lack-If we do not get him Stoke will jump in-Come on MM and Moxey get him in- do not dilly Dalley–Keep the dream alive-Crazey Dave

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  16. 16
    fenwolf

    We all new before the season started we needed at least one more defender. two weeks into the season we have picked up two serious injuries to our first choice back four and Keane (and everyone else) knows how desperate we are with the transfer deadline looming. We either pay over the odds (for Higginbotham or anyone else) to build on our good start or risk slipping down the table – regardless of whether Collins and Ward are good enough one more injury to a defender and we will be playing players out of position again to patch up the defence. Higginbotham and Berra would give us the best back 4 in the division – how badly do the board want it?????

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  17. 17
    southbank barmy army

    MASSIVE BLOW LOSING BIG GEORGE..DEFENCE IS NOW GETTING WEAKER EVERY GAME AT THE MOMENT. BUT WE’VE MADE A SOUND START TO THE SEASON..AND LOOK BETTER ALREADY THAN ANY OTHER TIME LAST SEASON.

    I’M GONNA BELIEVE THAT WITH THE POTENTIAL BEING SHOWN AS A GENUINE PROMOTION CHALLENGING SIDE..MICK AND JEZ WILL GET SUITABLE REPLACEMENTS TO KEEP US ON TRACK.

    GREAT TO BE ABLE TO TALK POSITIVELY ABOUT US..KEEP IT UP LADS BEING MISERABLE ALL THE TIME AIN’T MUCH FUN..LMAO

    BARMY ARMY!!

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  18. 18
    BorisBear

    Higgy is a player who should be plying his trade in the Prem, albeit near the bottom reaches rather than the top of the table. TBH I don’t think MickMac could complain if he landed Higgy for the £2.5million Sunderland paid – a good player in 2 positions, great with his head and a leader of men (captain at Stoke). I think Keano makes a very good point.

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  19. 19
    fras

    Lets get some good blood from our own league or lower, they know what its all about.

    Elliot Ward – Cb – Coventry
    Anthony Gerrard – Cb – Walsall
    Joe Mattock – Lb – Leicester City.

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  20. 20
    Cornish Wolf

    I dont know how much this particular player is worth but I do know we need a player of his reputation urgently before the end of the transfer period.
    Loan players are not really the answer as if promotion is made a reality this season we still have to find a player to replace the loanee in order to maintain a winning team.
    Before we get too carried away with our super start to this season my I suggest that you each look at the fixtures we have in September.
    If we can win most of those then barring earthquake, fire or flood I feel promotion can be seriously talked about.
    Up The Wolves

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  21. 21
    wolveswolves

    With Micks record in the transfer market when it comes to defenders I have no confidence of him getting anyone in suitable enough to get us into the promised land.

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  22. 22
    Bridget & Tony

    According to Sky Website Wolves tried to bring in Ibrahim Faye on trial from Troyes (to have a look at him with a view to signing him) – 2nd Div French team and were turned down (probably no definate commitment shown) – We’re sure that Higginbotham played for Sunderland at the weekend – and played well

    As regards to Roy Keane “upping” his fee – Roy Keane doesnt have to sell – and the player if true can choose which club he wants if he is in demand right now – so its not a question of what we collectively think he is worth or not, more a case of whoever rates him and which club needs him more (with regards to his fee) and obviously, which club Higginbotham feels he wants to play his football at (down to how Moxey to promote the club positively)

    A youngster with some pace and talent would be great BUT unless we have been “tracking” a number of options for some time, this may not happen

    If the fees are judged as “too costly” – the club needs to act now and bring in maybe a couple of loanees from Prem/ Scotland or European market

    Wolves are playing very well and we need to build on this momemtum and put teams to the sword – We are soooo pleased that MM now deploys 2 wingers not 1 and Big Chris alongside SEB (target man and smaller man partnership) Great result Sat Keep it going lads!!!

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  23. 23
    waltonwolf

    Higgenbotham would be a good signing and we should go up to £1.75 million but I still think Darren Ward can do a good job, it’s all about confidence.

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  24. 24
    sackthemuppet

    1.5 max for higgs, its berra we want as he should lead from the start and hopefully henry will go.

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  25. 25
    The Wolves

    Chris Riggott for £1.5m from Middlesbrough.
    Paul Mcshane for £1.25m from Sunderland.
    Ibrahima Sonko for £1.5m from Reading.
    Danny Gabbidon for £1.25m from West Ham.
    Anthony Gerrard for £600k from Walsall.
    Elliott Ward for £1.25m from Coventry.
    Christophe Berra for £2m from Hearts.
    Joe Mattock for £1.5m from Leicester.

    This list could go on and on .. The players are out there mick just has to get them .. if i was mick i would defornatly get chris riggott in , he’s a cracking defender and would be great for wolves at the back and at £1.5m , that would be a snip.

    GET 2 DEFENDERS IN QUICK MICK !!

    UP THE WOLVES !!

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  26. 26
    wolves ay we

    offer 2m take it or leave it. as for tonight complete reserve team apart from foley due to no one to replace him.

    ikeme
    dan.jones,collins,ward,foley
    grey,edwards,davis,potter
    vokes&keogh

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  27. 27
    fras

    Riggott let down is the wages, Anthony Gerrard Walsall would be good, not sure about Lb tho need a loan Gunter off spurs perhaps.

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  28. 28
    laughingwolf

    I agree alot with no.25 any of those would be great! I would start tonight

    Ikeme,Foley,Collins, ward, D JONES,grey, Edwards, Davies, Ward, Keogh, Vokes

    I’d even be happy to put potter and Elliott in the shop window it would be handy to get these poor players off our books

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  29. 29
    Laura wolves

    Good luck to the lads tonight hope he plays Dan Jones,Keogh,Vokes,Gray etc. We have enough there to beat Rotherham and it gives them a competitive game to keep them sharp, if and when needed in the Championship.UP THE WOLVES!!!!

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  30. 30
    wolvesmod

    anyone else think No.25 is The Molineux Roar in disguise

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  31. 31
    Eddie Wolf

    Agreed 28:

    Keogh & Vokes need games to keep them sharp!

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  32. 32
    billwolf

    defenders we have, Foley, Ward, Collins, Stearman, Gray, Jones, Little.
    7 names there, 3 reserve defenders.
    2 left backs, 2 right backs and 3 centre backs.
    do we need to spend any money on has beens?
    up the wolves.

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  33. 33
    fras

    For tonight Id imagen the line up to look like this.

    C.Ikeme

    K.Foley D.Ward N.Collins D.Jones

    M.Davies D.Edwards D.Potter S.Ward / S.Elliott

    A.Keogh S.Vokes

    Ps: Denes Rosa is on trial at Plymouth Argyle.

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  34. 34
    IanTheLichfieldWolf

    You really can’t disagree with Roy Keane on this. Higginbotham’s value has not halved and I think £2m would be a fair price.

    Why is it we seem prepared to go no higher with our bids than £1.5m for players no matter the quality of the target, and yet we were happy to throw silly money at Burnley to get Kyle Lafferty?? Thank goodness that deal didn’t happen.

    I’m all for value for money but for gawd’s sake let’s not risk the fine start we’ve had for the sake of a few quid when promotion would reap such massive financial dividends. Let’s not forget the club are still in profit from the summer transfer dealings!

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  35. 35
    Noisy Minority

    Just for a change headline is totally misleading. It’s not as if a fee had been agreed in the first place. With a week to go and no indication of another signing (and still in profit for the summer) a 1.75M bid might do it, but personal terms are always going to be a problem for any prem players. Hopefully we have some other irons in the fire?? I have only seen Gerrard a couple of times, but he looked quality to me, cheaper, younger and definitely avaiable.

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  36. 36
    Grumpy Ole Man

    Although Keane is only asking for an appropriate fee for a prem. defender, it is true to say that our failure to address, fully, our defensive issues during the summer means we will now be held to ransom by non prem. clubs because the will know we are desperate.
    Our financial model does not permit us to pay more than £1.5M for a player. We will have to either, change the model, or make do and mend.

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  37. 37
    Yorkshirewolf

    21 said “With Mick’s record in the transfer market when it comes to defenders I have no confidence of him getting anyone in suitable enough to get us into the promised land.”
    Elokobi, Stearman, Foley? Last time I looked these players represent what we want at the club, hard working, young, talented defenders. Could you be making a comment about Collins alone?
    Collins made some woeful errors last season, but has played OK so far this season – give him a chance, see if he is DEVELOPING, he might with a little encouragement from the fans.

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  38. 38
    Drago

    21

    You sad pathetic moron

    Your right though i don’t trust Mick either especially since he brought in duds like Elokobi, Kightly, Jarvis, SEB, Iwelumo, Keogh, Edwards, Foley & ect :)

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  39. 39
    WolvesTom

    30 – Thats what i was thinking

    Elliot Ward for me please..

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  40. 40
    wolfhound

    Time for Moxley to get the chequebook out if you want a quality player like Higginbottom,I dont think it will happen because they wont pay the going rate for a Premiership player

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  41. 41
    Jon

    number 32 – little has joined northampton on loan now mate. i still feel we need cover at full back – but dan jones and micky gray have played there before so i’m not too worried. maybe get some loans in from the premiership. chris riggott would be an awsesome replacement for craddock.

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  42. 42
    Werewolves in London

    The fee will be agreed at £2mill & he will be wearing gold & black on Saturday!

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  43. 43
    WW-Fc

    someone tell RK were Wolves not Man U, we pay what we think is worth if not we move on….

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  44. 44
    scotwolf

    there was always a chance this would happen, the longer it went without us buying quality centre back during summer transfer window and if anyone got injured we then send out the message we are desperate for cover and the price goes up.

    why oh why did we muck hearts about for berra. £2 million would have got him at the start of the summer, now its seems we will have to pay that to get anyone else, although higginbotham would be good for wolves.

    may be better value getting decent loan signings in if players are too expensive. got to ask though where are are owners millions?

    come on the wolves keep the winning run going

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  45. 45
    South Bank Dingle

    “£2m for Berra” is a myth. Hearts told us from the outset that they weren’t interested in selling him.

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  46. 46
    Josh Pritchard

    It baffles me that mccarthy places players like Potter and S.Elliot on the transfer-list (which surely means that they are surplus tp requirments), then gives them are opening back into the first team! Shouldn’t these games against poorer opposition tonight be used to give genuine first-team contenders a chance; i.e Micky Gray, Daniel Jones – not Potter and Elliot methinks.

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  47. 47
    Rugeley Wolf

    22. Yes Higginbotham did play at the weekend. Played at left back and kept Aaron Lennon quiet all game. Would be a good buy at £2 million in my opinion.

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  48. 48
    terrySOMBRERObaggie

    nice to see you putting your trust in mick agen,after last season you did keep telling us how good he was remember,aye boing boing

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  49. 49
    Stoke Wolves

    Forget it! Go elsewhere MM. He definitely aint worth any more than 1.25 million, simple as that, Keane is trying to cash in our perceived desperation in this position. A season long loan player would be a better option it seems.

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  50. 50
    Bob Wolf

    Please sign someone Mick so we don’t have to play Cart-horse Collins at left back. He should have been left back in the summer training camp with the other losers who can’t kick a ball.

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  51. 51
    brummie rob wolves

    38) Totally agree. There has been one or two iffy signings but look at the rest.
    Sides will not like playing us in the league!

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  52. 52
    maltawolf

    Surely with deadline day fast approaching realistic expenditure is imperative 3 million for Berra 2.5 Higgingbottom would still only mean an outlay of 3.5 million well worth it if it brings promotion.Go for it MM/JM

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  53. 53
    South Bank Dingle

    Gray will certainly play tonight. Indeed, both he and Jones played against Accrington.

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  54. 55
    terrySOMBRERObaggie

    can he tek penalties aye boing boing

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  55. 56
    Dave

    We need to buy two defenders urgently. I think we’ll struggle without. Mick needs to move very quickly on this.

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  56. 57
    BillyBully

    How about getting Lee Naylor on loan.

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  57. 58
    Wolfonthebarbie

    It’s all very well for supporters just to tell the Chairman to open his wallet when its not their money. The key issues are whether potential targets are the right age, with the right skill set, the right attitude and coming in at the right wages. I think Moxey and MM are better judges of those isues than most supporters.

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  58. 59
    terrySOMBRERObaggie

    as the bubble bost already,aye boing boing

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  59. 60
    Cornish Wolf

    58 telsillyhatbaggie yo-yo
    It sure has at the Hawthorns
    Up The Wolves

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  60. 61
    Ad

    Bleh. Immovable Mick makes it a mockery at millers.

    You know, when you have to call on Elliot its gonna end in tears.

    Only positive is that its a few less games to play with our squad dropping like flies.

    hope you have something up those sleevies merlin…

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  61. 62
    Grace

    Elliott & D Ward????

    What has happened to Mark Davies & Dan Jones???

    What MM needs to realise is that home grown TALENT is his get out of jail free card with the fans if it all goes wrong, remember Southampton at home 0-6.

    He has missed an opportunity here to play some of our acadamy graduates & give them some much needed match practise, Davis especially.

    Still not the end of the world to go out of this cup, another good win on Saturday will put this right.

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  62. 63
    quality counts

    ah, but is there anyone else out there other than a player at Sunderland? Is MM so thick that his rolodex only has the Sunderland phone #? hmm, well yeah, I guess. Afterall Moxey only has the telehone number of his bank.

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  63. 64
    terryPREMIERbaggie

    HENRY SAID WILFS WHERE RUBBISH LAST NITE,SO WOT NEW AYE BOING BOING

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  64. 65
    BAND OF GOLD.

    BEING AS WE HAVE RE COUPED WHAT WE HAVE SPENT SO FAR,LETS GET HIGGINBOTTOM FOR AROUND 2 MIL AND ANT GERRARD FOR 1 MILL OR LESS,BOTH FILL THE VOIDS LEFT THROUGH INJURIES AND WOULD KEEP UP THE GOOD START WE,VE MADE TO THE SEASON.

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