Sheffield United target Jay Rodriguez is not available for just £5m, as reported by the Telegraph earlier this month.
The article says that West Bromwich Albion inserted a £5m release clause into Rodriguez’s contract as reward for the loyalty the striker showed last summer.
After the Baggies were relegated from the Premier League, several senior players – including Craig Dawson and Ben Foster – actively sought a move away. The duo even refused to fly out for warm weather training.
Yet Rodriguez agreed to stay for one more year to try and get West Brom promoted at the first attempt. As a result of his professional behaviour, the club’s hierarchy inserted the clause into his contract.
As the Baggies were defeated by Aston Villa in the Championship playoffs, Rodriguez can now leave the Hawthorns for the cut-price fee.
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However, as is often the case in these scenarios, it isn’t quite as simple as that. The report continues to state that the fee will rise to £10m after 12 months.
The Burnley Express seeks to add further clarity, claiming an initial £5m is required and a further £5m will be paid in add-ons. Not only that, but to get that deal is must be completed before mid-July.
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Two more clubs join Sheffield United in Rodriguez chase
There is significant interest in Rodriguez, with Crystal Palace and Norwich City the latest to be linked with the 29-year-old.
As well as the Blades, Bournemouth, Burnley and Leicester City had already been rumoured to be keen on the forward.
All of those clubs will need to be aware Rodriguez won’t cost the £5m as first thought, though. Despite that, it is still significantly less than the £18m West Brom were holding out for a year ago.
The Clarets were keen to bring Rodriguez back to Turf Moor. Yet they were told their final bid of £16m fell short of his valuation.
