Keep calm and sign on seems to be the message Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin is attempting to convey to Scotland Under 21 breakthrough star Connor Barron and his representatives, as the Dons boss tries to reassure supporter’s their young player of the year will not have his head turned by reported interest from Celtic as well as Italian sides Bologna and Sassuolo.
As reported in Football Scotland Goodwin has managed to sound confident of midfielder Barron agreeing to a new contract, having only just signed a deal in January of which two years remain to run, whilst at the same time calling for all involved to be ‘sensible’ regarding the negotiation process –
“We are in quite a safe place at the moment with that one as Connor has a couple of years left.
“Both Connor and his family realise the opportunity that has been given here at Aberdeen. In my experience those kind of negotiations with young players coming through the Academy they are never too difficult.
“Connor deserves to be rewarded financially off the back of his good performances last year.
“And the club are just doing what any other club would do in terms of protecting its assets.
“It should be a win, win for everybody and it should be done pretty smoothly if everybody is sensible about the negotiation process.”
Connor Barron was a standout performer for Aberdeen in a dreadful season in the Scottish Premiership and it makes a lot of sense for Goodwin to try and allay the fears of the Dons supporters who have already seen Liverpool take talented right back Calvin Ramsey to the EPL and have almost daily updates on transfer speculation for Lewis Ferguson to also contend with.
Yet most suitors looking on will know full well the window of opportunity to sign a player of Barron’s talents may now be short, given a continuation or indeed improvement of the form the player showed last season at the start of this campaign, may well see some of the clubs interested in the player soon priced out of the market.
Celtic have been credited with an interest in Connor Barron during the course of this transfer window, whether that will materialise in a bid for the player during this window is still to be seen, but if Connor Barron and his representatives are wise it may well be best holding off signing that new contract just yet.
After all, with the security of two years remaining on a deal only signed at the start of the year, it’s the player who holds all the cards in this game and Celtic now seem to be getting into gear when it comes to transfer business of their own.
Niall J
