The uproar from certain fans here is bizarre. Clearly last summer there was interest, which was rejected, most likely he will have been told it will be reviewed again in January & this summer. Bids were rejected in January and he was asked to stay and help us push on, a move which nearly saw us promoted and him named in the team of the season with stats we haven't seen from a player at the club. During this time he said publicly that he would stay with us had we gone up. He's been outstanding and nearly dragged us to the premier league from being in the bottom 3 in November.
The price quoted of £17m plus add-ons, in addition to a large percentage of a future sale is a fantastic deal for us & he is well within his rights given what he will have been told and promised behind to scenes to comment on figures of £25-£30m being too high when he has 1 year left with us. They are too high. It's his career too and he's earned a move, he has possibly 7 more years as a top level professional so these times for him are vitally important to get the moves right. We have helped him but his impact on us is far greater, without him none of the last two years progress would have been possible. He's on a promise from us for showing loyalty and he wants that loyalty to be repaid, not outpriced.
Anyone wishing him good riddance and hope he fails needs to give your head a wobble, that Wembley ticket, increased season ticket sales, sell out crowds etc wouldn't have existed without him and some short one minute Q&A with the press shouldn't change that.