Don Goodman hopes money is ‘Astronomical’ if Sunderland sell players in January
Don Goodman says Sunderland should only sell players in January if they receive an “astronomical” amount of money.
The Black Cats’ 2-1 win over Stoke ended their six-game winless run on 7 December and put them straight back into contention for promotion to the Premier League.
The likes of Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham have been linked with the exit door, with the latter mooted to follow his brother’s path to Borussia Dortmund already [The Sun].
Speaking exclusively to Mackem News, Goodman admits that every player has a price but that the likes of Bellingham could be tempted to stick around for a push at promotion anyway.
“Every player has a price,” he explained.
“I mean it might be a crazy ridiculous outrageous price and I hope it is for Sunderland. I hope that Sunderland if they’re valuing Jobe and if they’re valuing Chris Rigg I hope that the numbers are astronomical and at the moment put people off but every player has a price so we can’t kid ourselves about that.
“But again in the situation Sunderland find themselves there’s no possible way I’d be entertaining letting anybody leave. I’d be of the mindset to say let’s try and be part of something really special and get this club promoted to the Premier League and let’s review it in the summer and see where we are because every player’s ambitious.
“That’s ultimately why players leave Championship clubs because they’re ambitious to get to the highest place that they can but you can manage that ambition by the way you manage the players. Ultimately if somebody says to Jobe Bellingham look there’s loads of bids in for you we don’t want to lose you, stick with us and let’s review this in the summer. If I were Jobe Bellingham I think I’d be all right with that.”
Sunderland need to retain their key players in January
Players like Rigg and Jobe are crucial to the way Sunderland play this season and are a big reason why they find themselves within touching distance of the summit of the Championship.
It’s hard to put a price on players like that in January but the Black Cats simply shouldn’t sell unless the finances become undeniable.
The transfer window, described as “unique” by Kristjaan Speakman, is an opportunity to strengthen your squad and weakening it through the sale of either of those players would be a ludicrous decision.
The Black Cats have an excellent shot at promotion this season and they can’t afford to be blinded by potential transfer fees.
In other Sunderland news, Regis Le Bris has revealed one player is a doubt for the clash with Bristol City.
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