Oxford United wait on new Rovers offer for Constable (From The Oxford Times)
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Oxford United wait on new Rovers offer for Constable
9:00am Thursday 31st May 2012 in Sport
James Constable scoring the first of his two goals against Bristol Rovers last October
Oxford United are waiting to see if Bristol Rovers will respond with an improved offer after turning down an initial bid for James Constable.
The U’s confirmed a formal approach for their top scorer had been rejected, but it is unlikely to end the dialogue.
It is rare for clubs to accept the first offers, so further negotiation with the west country club is likely.
U’s chairman Kelvin Thomas said: “Over the past season, James has attracted interest from a variety of clubs and further interest is not really a surprise.
“We have received a formal offer for James from Bristol Rovers, but we have turned it down.”
It is the second time in six months a bid has been tabled for ‘Beano’, who scored twice against Rovers in a 3-0 home win last October and is fifth on the United’s all-time top-scorers list with 80 goals.
In January, a second offer from rivals Swindon Town – believed to be in the region of £225,000 – was accepted, only for the player to reject a move.
It delighted the U’s fans, but Constable went on to have a poor finish to the season, scoring just twice in his last 19 appearances.
Thomas believes the speculation around the potential transfer was a contributory factor.
He said: “I think some of the Swindon stuff did affect him – more so after getting sent off against Swindon (in March).
“I think James, like a lot of the squad, didn’t finish the season like we would have all hoped, but I think there will always be interest.”
The U’s have also been linked with a transfer into the squad.
They are among the clubs reportedly interested in Jon Shaw, who netted 28 times in 43 games for Gateshead in the Blue Square Bet Premier last season.
The 28-year-old spent a season playing for United boss Chris Wilder while they were at Halifax Town, scoring 20 goals, and it is rumoured the pair could be reunited this summer.
Comments(14)
LeGod
says...
1:04pm Thu 31 May 12
He wants away from your club because of your fans turning on him but all of a sudden Oxford fans have forgotten the abuse they gave him on Twitter if he left for Swindon.
SG85
says...
1:41pm Thu 31 May 12
yellowhoods
says...
2:14pm Thu 31 May 12
gnash21
says...
4:39pm Thu 31 May 12
COYY Oxford til I die!!!!
yellowhoods
says...
8:47pm Thu 31 May 12
yellowhoods
says...
9:10pm Thu 31 May 12
LeGod
says...
1:46pm Fri 1 Jun 12
Whitstablexile
says...
2:18pm Fri 1 Jun 12
karimoxf
says...
3:09pm Fri 1 Jun 12
BigAlBiker
says...
5:34pm Fri 1 Jun 12
karimoxf wrote:I agree, the common denominator with all the player issues is the manager, time for his P45
If Constable goes, Wilder will receive a warm reception at the first home match of the season. Constable is still our best striker but like so many other good players, he will go and then score a bundle of goals for his new team. Get rid of Wilder not Constable. Ken
A Scroat
says...
6:47pm Fri 1 Jun 12
EastIlsleyyellow
says...
9:47pm Fri 1 Jun 12
yellowhoods
says...
11:02pm Fri 1 Jun 12
EastIlsleyyellow wrote:Good post that man, the truth was needed!!!!
Seriously you Oxford fans should learn to stop slating the very best you have. Yes Constable did have a poor second half to the season and perhaps Wilder has made more than a few statical errors but ffs doesn't everyone. For example I thought the atmosphere we create at 70% of matches is shocking, that's our error. Time to wise up fellow Oxford fans, look past the tip of your nose and give the very people that have been so loyal to us and fans of us a chance to prove the worth, as they have done before. Get behind the team and stop behaving like we're something we're not.
abodonkey says...
9:35am Thu 31 May 12