Rob Davies
Michael Obafemi was left out of today’s 1-0 win against QPR after three transfer bids from Burnley were rejected on deadline day.
It looked likely that the player would be bound for Vincent Kompany’s team but Swansea held firm and rejected all three bids as they didn’t meet the club’s own valuation of Obafemi
It meant the club and player came to a decision to not play the striker, who bagged 13 goals last season, and allow him some time off to refocus for the rest of the season.
Some players react badly to failed transfer moves and it’ll be interesting to see what happens Monday when Obafemi is due back at training.
According to the BBC the second offer was around ยฃ8m including add-ons with the third and final offer unknown. It undoubtedly shows strong resolve on behalf of the ownership to resist.
We can only hope that he knuckles down and rediscovers his form because as Russell Martin says, he hasn’t got much choice.
Martin told the BBC: “People react differently to speculation.
“There was a bit of transfer deadline day chaos shall we call it, with late bids from another club.
“So Michael just wasn’t in the right frame of mind.
“We had a chat about it, we spoke what we thought would be best for the group and what would be best for him.
“We decided together that it would be best for him to have the weekend off, come in on Monday.
“We’ll have a conversation and take it from there. Where he’s at, we’ll find out on Monday.
“He has no choice but to really knuckle down and try and get back in the team.
“Joel Piroe’s scored three in three now. He’s playing in his preferred position after being out of it for a long time because of Michael.
“So now Michael’s got a real fight to get back into the team and he has to show that willingness when he comes back in and I’m sure he will.”
