Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou has moved to clarify speculation surrounding Tawanda Maswanhise’s future following growing transfer interest from Celtic in the attacker…
The Steelmen welcome Kilmarnock in Scottish Premiership action this afternoon, but much of the build-up has been dominated by talk of a potential January switch for the Zimbabwe international, with Celtic among the clubs reportedly monitoring his situation.
Addressing the media ahead of the clash at Fir Park, Askou delivered a firm message regarding the player’s status, as Maswanhise continues an impressive campaign that has already produced 15 goals across all competitions.
Speaking via Motherwell’s YouTube channel, Askou said: “There’s been a lot of concrete rumours about Tawanda and a lot of concrete speculation and guessing and all sorts of things that we have to hear and sometimes read.
“But we are in no negotiations with anyone regarding any of our top players, and we are not selling any of our top players this window. It’s very, very late, and we want them to stay here and finish at least this season, and then we’ll see in the summer.”
The Danish boss added: “Well, I think I’ve said before that we are under no pressure in this football club, because the club is well-driven over time, and we made a really good sell, a big sell, of Lennon [Miller] in the summer.”
“So there’s no stress from anyone that we need to generate money now from a sale. On the contrary, there’s a mutual agreement and understanding that we want to strengthen our opportunities to reach out for the maximum possible of this season, and obviously that includes keeping hold of the best players.”
Celtic return to league action tomorrow afternoon with a demanding trip to Tynecastle, where they will take on league leaders Hearts in a crucial encounter.
Conor Spence
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We possibly are in a strong negotiation position with Welsh as a potential bargaining chip.
Especially with Welsh not even in the match day squad in Italy.
Hence, I don’t see Welsh being part of our homegrown quota players for the remainder of this europa league campaign imo?
Yet, I deal that could be very beneficial for ourselves, is trying to get lennon Miller imo?
Could allow Welsh to leave and still got our 8 homegrown quota requirements in place still, within our squad.
Would also allow for either Paulo or Hatate to move on also, especially as I would question hugely there commitments to ourselves?
In turn, it potentially allows for another right CB to be added to our squad also.
Still leaves room for the wide right option to be added also imo?
Of course, if we qualify for the knockout phase of the europa league, which we should?
Then a decision will possibly have to be taken upon adding Julian within our europa league squad?
With both ralston and Donovan available still for that position at present, thinking we may be better suited to strengthening elsewhere within the squad?
Especially if only 3 changes are allowed within the original 24 named imo?
A lot of moving parts involved admittedly, and wouldn’t be confident of Nicholson being able to make the likes happen at present either unfortunately imo?