Who will win the race to sign Jordan Rhodes?

Jordan Rhodes has been prolific so far this season.  In his 21 appearances for League One Huddersfield Town he has netted 25 times.  Perhaps an even more alarming statistic is the 49 shots he has taken, scoring with every other attempt on goal.  This record has earned him a lot of attention from the media, as well as from Premier League scouts, who have been flocking to the Galpharm Stadium in their masses over the past month.  In fact, on the evening of Friday the 6th of this month, no fewer than 8 were present as Huddersfield travelled to struggling Wycombe, recording a hefty 6-0 win; Rhodes scored five of them.  His goal scoring form has propelled the Yorkshire side to third place in League One and his manager, Lee Clarke, looks set to have a tough job keeping hold of him.  If he is forced to let go of his leading man, the Huddersfield boss will be looking for a fee nearer the £10 million mark than the £4 million that has reportedly been offered for Rhodes’ services.  In terms of transfer speculation, scout visits and hype, Rhodes is probably the most in-demand player in English football right now.  If the speculation is to be validated and Rhodes does in fact move this month, who is most likely to secure his signature?

Everton – Not the most likely candidates in the equation, Everton hardly have a history of spending big cash.  David Moyes may also be put off by his signing of Jermaine Beckford from League One Leeds in 2010, something of a failed experiment.  Despite these factors, the Merseyside club need a goal scorer and, with a handful of former football league strikers scoring regularly in the top flight this season, the Scotsman could be convinced to take a chance on Rhodes.

Bolton – Owen Coyle’s side are struggling this season and, whilst his priority is to replace Chelsea-bound Gary Cahill, his strikers haven’t been on song so far this term.  Ivan Klasnic has found the net a few times, but Kevin Davies and David N’Gog have rarely looked threatening and he ought to add to his squad before the relegation fight really begins.  Rhodes will be a tempting acquisition but, with so many suitors and a potentially high price tag, Bolton could be edged out of the race for his signature.

Wigan – Roberto Martinez’s side are currently rock bottom of the Premiership and on a bad run of form.  Hugo Rodallega is not looking like the hot property he has long promised to be and Connor Sammon, despite working tirelessly, has not made a convincing transition from the SPL.  Similarly to Bolton and Everton, Wigan could be priced out of a deal for Rhodes, especially considering the risk involved, but taking exactly that risk could be the catalyst for a decent run-in and, ultimately, survival.

QPR – A new manager and a bit of money to throw around could be a winning formula for QPR in the second half of the season.  The late appointment does mean that Mark Hughes may be pressured into a spot of panic buying towards the end of the month and, although he has been linked with some big names, Rhodes may prove to be the smart option.  The Rs have struggled for goals up until now, but with a number of decent strikers already in the squad, Federico Macheda recently arriving on loan and Brazilian Henrique reportedly closing in on a deal, he may wish to strengthen elsewhere first.

Aston Villa – Rumours have been linking Darren Bent with a £25 million move away from Villa Park this month and, although I doubt the likelihood of such a deal, he would have to be replaced, were it to happen.  It’s hard to say exactly how much of that cash Alex Mcleish would be given to find a replacement and perhaps he would seek a proven goal scorer at the top level.  However, with all the hype and interest in Rhodes, Mcleish way well see capturing him ahead of Villa’s rivals as something of a coup.

Sunderland – An impressive resurgence following the appointment of Martin O’Neill last month has included a win over Man City and a rapid climb up the table.  Despite this, the Black Cats still look a striker short and may well have a few million to play around with in the next couple of weeks.  Stephane Sessegnon has been the driving force as Sunderland go forward, but an injury to him would cause big problems for O’Neill.  Perhaps bringing in Rhodes this month would reduce their reliance on Sessegnon and provide an attractive alternative to Nicklas Bendtner leading the line.

Blackburn – It’s been an excellent couple of weeks for Steve Kean, a man who has looked in big trouble for large parts of this season.  Yakubu’s goals have been crucial to Blackburn and, although they managed to put three past Fulham following his unfair dismissal at the weekend, some cover for the Nigerian would be invaluable.  The club look set to lose Chris Samba this month, and possibly even Junior Hoilett, and Kean will be eager to spend that cash flow on new blood as his side look to move away from the bottom three.  Rhodes would most likely be glad to join Blackburn, as the squad is actually quite strong and finally finding some form under its resilient boss.

Leicester City – It may not be a move to the top flight that Rhodes will prefer, opting instead to join a Championship side.  If this is the case, Lee Clark will no doubt be trying to convince him to hang around at the Galpharm and help get Huddersfield up to that level next season.  However, he will most likely view a Championship move as a stepping-stone to the highest level within a year or two.  Leicester City aren’t exceeding themselves at the moment, but they have the financial muscle to attract Rhodes and to mount a push for the Premiership soon.  It is an option that both parties are likely to consider, but perhaps there are more favourable destinations in the second tier.

Southampton – The Saints are flying high this season, topping the Championship table and making a strong case for promotion.  Rickie Lambert is having another productive season at St. Mary’s and could well attract Premier League suitors.  The performances of Grant Holt, Steve Morison and Danny Graham, all in the classic ‘Number 9’ mould, this season may have convinced Premiership managers to take a chance on Lambert, a similar type of player.  This would leave the door open for Nigel Adkins to look at Rhodes, giving him a few months of Championship football and a chance to prove himself at that level before making the big step up.  However, if Lambert stays put this month, Adkins will most likely leave Rhodes alone and maintain the formula that has served his side so well to date.

West Ham – Up at the top of the league with Southampton, West Ham will expect an immediate return to the top flight.  Not just because they are the quality outfit in the Championship, but also because they can’t maintain their wage bill in the second tier for too long.  The Hammers’ possible interest in Rhodes comes despite their plentiful attacking options already.  In fact, for their visit to Derby County last month, West Ham fielded a substitutes bench made up entirely of strikers, as well as starting the game with three on the pitch.  However, come the promotion push in the latter stages of the season, it’s difficult to have too much depth and Sam Allardyce will fancy the idea of giving Rhodes some Championship football prior to his side’s anticipated promotion.  This option, combined with the wages West Ham can afford, make this an attractive option from Rhodes’ point of view.

The Others – Rhodes has been linked, in the press, to a few of the Premiership’s bigger sides.  With Andy Carroll searching for form, Luis Suarez’s lengthy ban and Craig Bellamy’s knee problems, Liverpool have reportedly shown interest.  Tottenham are also said to be keen, with their striking options already limited, Pavlyuchenko possibly moving on soon and Adebayor only on loan.  Finally, Newcastle have been thrown into the mix, with Demba Ba currently in Africa and a potential injury concern.  Despite this, I’m not convinced any of that lot would be too interested in moving for the 21 year old.  As for where he will eventually end up, you can decide for yourself.  Rhodes certainly has his fair share of options, but who knows; perhaps after all this speculation he won’t be going anywhere.  If that proves to be the case, Lee Clark will be labelled as one of the most persuasive men in world football.

Paddy von Behr @HighBalls1

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Comments

[Graham Hudson]

The most likely option is that he goes nowhere as has been made clear by Chairman, Manager and player alike. But I guess that wouldn't make a good blog?

[I.P. Freely]

What a lot of time you have wasted writing this. Not for sale in this case, believe it or not, means not for sale. Chairman and player spoke in November, both agreed he would not be sold in January under any circumstances. Chairman has publicly stated he will not be sold under any circumstances. Manager is in agreement he will not be sold.
The Town chairman is a Town fan and a very wealthy one at that (sold controlling interest in his business for a reported £300m a couple of years ago, not to mention presumed own additional personal fortune plus still has an interest in that business)...
The Chairman has also publicly stated that his money is safer with Rhodes at the club than in the bank, i.e. to earn us promotion.
Just because we are a League One club does not mean we are the same stature and pushovers as the rest of the clubs at that level.
The Chairman was a Town fan when Marcus Stewart was sold to Ipswich sometime around year 2000 - this completely de-railed a promotion bid from what is now the Championship to the Premier League, he will not see this happen again, and not on his watch.
If we get promoted to the Championship, we will go all out to keep Rhodes at HTFC. If we don't go up this season, the current regieme have already shown that we will not stand in the way of players leaving for clubs in higher divisions, when the TIMING and the money suits HTFC - Lee Peltier (Leicester) and Antony Pilkington (Norwich), being two recent examples.
Now go away and rethink your silly little blog.

[Paddy von Behr]

Well it quite clearly states at the end that he may, in fact, go nowhere and that the post is essentially outlining who might want him the most. Still, that hasn't prevented you from rambling on with a self-righteous, blinkered view of the situation, signed off with a suitably stupid and unamusing name.
As for Graham, yes you're right that is the most likely option and I hope for Huddersfield's case and that of their fans (at least the interesting, well-mannered ones, unlike "I.P. Freely") that they can keep hold of him until at least the summer. However, as with almost every player in world football, if the right offer comes in at the right time, it will be accepted and goal scoring records like Rhodes' can prompt big offers.
At the age of 21, regardless of what he has said to ease the collective mind of the fans, a lot of offers would be more than a little tempting for him right now. If such an offer were to arrive and Rhodes himself decided he'd rather be elsewhere, even the richest HTFC fan would struggle to convince him to stay. The Modric-Spurs-Chelsea saga over the summer is the exception to the rule for want-away players, not the norm and it's naive to suggest that a hardline of not-for-sale is guaranteed to put an end to the matter.

[Mike Rotch]

Rhodes is under contract until (I think) 2015. The chairman (a die-hard Huddersfield fan, remember) has said it is 'impossible' Rhodes will be sold. If he sold him now, he would lose the trust of every Huddersfield fan. Why would he do that? I don't know how clearer the manager, the chairman and most importantly the PLAYER have to be?

The matter is at an end. He is staying. Seriously - think of something more interesting to write about as this post has been a complete waste of time for you.

[i p lots]

Yes that is correct Paddy Von Behr,you are clearly a plastic man utd fan who has no clue about football outside the top four of the premiership,and you certainly dont have a clue about our beloved Huddersfield Town fc.So a bit of advice, go and join your clueless majority of man utd fans (i say majority because id imagine only 10% of man utd fans have any clue about football) and the "we know everything journalists" and go write about which escort Ryan Giggs is sleeping with and leave Huddersfield Town and super Jordan Rhodes and the god that is Dean hoyle to get on with winning promotion, from a league that youve proberly never heard of.And for the record League 1 is two divisions below the premiership.

[Paddy von Behr]

Well this has clearly touched a nerve and I apologise for that; as I said, I've never assumed he's leaving, just looking at who might get out their cheque book should he decide to move on in the nearer future. And since the last comment decided to bring up the irrelevant issue if who I support, that honour goes to League Two Cheltenham Town. Just for the record, that's the division below League One...

[Jacques Strap]

"touched a nerve"

Idiot. Utter idiot.

[Paddy von Behr]

That wasn't meant maliciously, just that it has provoked a backlash without intending to. In fact, the post wasn't even aimed at HTFC fans, rather the clubs listed in it, considering who would be interested should he become available this month, in the summer or even further in the future. Clearly more careful wording required, lesson learned, apologies once more.

[Sluggy]

I am a big Huddersfield fan and i know for a fact that Jordan Rhodes will only be sold at a very high price and i cannot see anybody taking that chance on a League One player. Also if Jordan was to leave Huddersfield he would only end up on the bench week in week out and end up like a Jermaine Beckford! I dont think this is a waste of time as far as the blog is concerned also because its good to hear that these clubs are interested in one of our players and as Lee Clark commented "The more praise Rhodes gets the better player he is becoming" which can only benefit our football club.

[I.P. Fire]

Its amazing that when a player gets a bit of hype that everyone else who has never seen them play is suddenly an expert, especially when they know nothing about the club, its chairman, its board and its fans!

If you want an insight about how much our players love the club check out Pilks or Pelts on twitter, even though they have left they still follow us!

You say you don't want to cause offence but then pick on somebodys name! Say something about Town or have a go and you are talking to every single one of us who bleed blue and white!

UTT!