Phil Sumbler
The name of Joe Low is attracting much interest already this January and we are only just over five days into the month. We know the Swans have made a bid and are expected to put another one on the table whilst it was reported yesterday evening that Plymouth Argyle have also made a bid whilst Preston are also coming in for the player.
Yesterday we reported on the comments by Matt Bloomfield that Low was destined for greater things and all reports and sources close to Wycombe believe that the Chairboys will cash in this window rather than see one of their prized assets go for a free next summer. That all makes perfect sense from the perspective of Wycombe and it has been reasonably widely suggested that they have a price on his head in the region of £750,000.
The question from our side is whether we would be prepared to shell out that kind of money for a player with just six months remaining on his contract? The bid we are said to have rejected is a third of that value and I cannot see us going that high with the next bid which means that we could be facing competition from sides who could be tempted at that price.
This could be though where the thoughts get interesting. Plymouth I think would be prepared to spend that sort of money if they believe Low can tighten up their defence in their bid to stay at this level but most pundits believe that the Pilgrims are destined for League One and I cannot see that being a good long term solution for the ambition that Low has.
Preston could well be tempted and are a well established Championship team which could be a temptation for Low and of course there are other Championship clubs in the hunt. I would also not completely rule out Birmingham City in the middle of these discussions – given their interest in Harry Darling they are clearly in a hunt for a defender and Low maybe an option they turn to?
One of the differences within any deal for Low is that the player does hold most of the cards on this one and whilst Wycombe can dictate their current price, the player can easily run down his contract to ensure he gets his preferred move. Whether that preferred move is Swansea City isn’t known but Luke Williams and Andy Coleman will certainly hope so.
What does seem pretty certain on this particular player is that there is more news yet to be reported and more interest that has yet to be shown. The Swans are definitely in the race but as I said right at the start I am not sure I can see them matching the price Wycombe want which for me means he won’t join us in January but doesn’t mean we are totally out of the running.
As we say every window, time will tell.
