Doncaster Rovers chairman John Ryan has confirmed that there is a release clause in striker Billy Sharp’s contract with interested parties needing to offer £3 million in January for it to be triggered. The Blues, Southampton, Cardiff, Burnley and Leicester have all recently been linked with the 25-year-old.
Ryan, keen to end speculation regarding the activation figure, said: "When the window opens on January 1st, Billy's contract with Doncaster Rovers will include a release clause priced at exactly £3 million.
"Lots of clubs are circling. Southampton and Ipswich made previous bids. Anybody who matches that new figure can talk to Billy.”
But the Rovers chief says he’s keen to keep Sharp, who has scored nine goals this season, at the Keepmoat Stadium if he can: "Obviously, we don't want to lose the lad at this vital stage when we are fighting to retain our Championship status.
"I've given my word to Billy, though. We have a gentlemen's agreement and any final decision on a move is down to Billy himself."
In the summer the Blues had a £2.3 million offer rebuffed by the South Yorkshiremen, while the player turned down a move to Southampton after the clubs agreed a fee of £3.25 million, with the release clause only understood to come into effect from January. Sharp is contracted to Doncaster until the summer of 2013.
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