by UpNorth »
27 Jun 2009 16:58
Sounds like we have already made an offer for Smith of at least £1m and it has been rejected. Worryingly we could well lose out to a Prem club who have also had a bid rejected (probably Wolves).
Watford Observer article of 26 June
Watford have rejected two seven-figure bids for Tommy Smith, suggesting the opening shots in what could turn into a bidding war for the Hornets talisman have been fired.
The Watford Observer understands a written offer from a Premiership club for the 29-year-old has been turned down, together with another bid from what is described as a "top end" Championship outfit.
Both these offers were received within the last two weeks and while it is not known which clubs are involved, it would not be a surprise if the Championship side is Reading.
We reported two weeks ago that former Hornets manager Brendan Rodgers was believed to be considering a move for Smith, who became only the third player to lift the Watford Observer Player of the Season trophy in consecutive year after scoring 17 goals in the last campaign, and sources close to the Royals believe that interest is ongoing.
However, there is mounting speculation that top-flight newcomers Wolverhampton Wanderers could also be in the market for the versatile forward, who has one year on his contract at Vicarage Road remaining.
Although the Molineux club have a policy of recruiting young and hungry players, and a move for Smith would place him at the higher end of that approach, sources believe manager Mick McCarthy would like competition for wide men Michael Kightly and Matt Jarvis. Furthermore, the former Republic or Ireland boss knows Smith from their time together at Sunderland.
While Watford would clearly like to retain the services of a player who is now 14th in the club's all-time scoring charts and became only the 22nd in their history to pass the 300-appearance mark last term, they may find it hard to resist a significant increase on those offers already received given their well-documented need to steady the financial ship.
Would we pay more than £1m plus? We will need to if we want to land Smith.
