tRAMsfer news: Canary To Ram To Owl? - Pompey Pay The Price!
Thursday, 7th Jul 2011 14:57 by Daniel J Sewart

Reports out of Sheffield today have the Owls looking at Lee Croft while Luke Varney has finally left Pride Park for good.

Croft Off?

After being Norwich’s ‘Player Of The Season’ when relegated a couple of season ago, Croft’s career has gone from bad to worse at Derby. Unable to break into the first team, a loan to Huddersfield failed to get him back on track when the only highlight from his half dozen appearances was being sent off.

Although his performances for the reserves after returning to the Rams showed signs the player may finally be knuckling down, it seems they came to late in Nigel Clough’s eyes.

Sheffield Wednesday manager Gary Megson is apparently looking to Croft as either his first choice winger or cover for the position depending who else he lands before the window closes.

With many new faces and wages to pay at Pride Park, it is a pretty safe bet that Croft is a player the Rams will be looking to get off the books.

He could prove to be a bargain for the right club if they are able to re-ignite the fire that became little more than embers in his time at DCFC.

It seems only a matter of time until the likes of Croft, Leacock and Bywater are moved on but when and to who remains to be seen.

Pompey Pay Price For Luke!

Tom Glick will be sending Seasider’s' manager Ian Holloway a Christmas card this year after he chose not activate an option to sign Luke Varney for £250,000. This decision allowed Portsmouth to make a move and add another half million to his value.

The striker has signed for Pompey for an 'undisclosed fee' which has been reported as being £750,000 and is believed that could eventually rise to as much as £1 million with appearances.

Nigel Clough spoke to official site about Varney's departure:

"Luke leaves with our very best wishes. Despite not being in our first-team plans, he has been a great professional and shown an exemplary attitude on and off the training pitch."

After being rejected by Clough and Holloway, it seems Varney is happy to feel wanted again and was glowing in his praise of Pompey when interviewed recently by ‘portsmouth.co.uk’:

"I am a football fan and know a bit about what is happening at Portsmouth – it sounds like exciting times. I know a little bit about Steve Cotterill, too. Some of my friends have worked with him and I am sure he would be a great manager to play under and would be something I would enjoy thoroughly.”

"That would be something I would be excited about getting involved in. I have also seen how he works when I have played for teams against him. He is quite instrumental in everything, motivational with plenty of passion. They are the sort of managers I would like to work under. I would definitely like to work under him at some point in my career.”

Well Luke, that time in your career has come so you and Steve can now get to work.

The long, drawn out saga of Derby and Varney is believed to have come about because Derby froze Varney’s career when an additional sum would be due to Charlton, should he play one more game for the Rams.

So Derby has not just dodged the extra payment, they have picked up an extra three quarters of a million pounds for their trouble.

Good luck Luke, except against the Rams - even though we know you are bound to score!

Definitely good business for DCFC and it hasn’t been often we have been able to say that!