Peterborough United’s director of football Barry Fry sent out a warning to anyone looking to sign Ronnie Edwards in the summer transfer window. In short, put your money where your mouth is.
The £15 million-rated centre-back will only be sold if someone is willing to make him the most expensive export in Peterborough’s 88-year history.
But that is not the only record Edwards will break should he swap London Road for, well, London.
After Grant McCann’s side were relegated on Saturday – a 1-0 home defeat to Steve Cooper’s irrepressible Nottingham Forest hammering the final nail in their Championship coffin – Edwards could soon become the most expensive export ever in English football’s third tier.
“That record would be smashed if we were to sell Ronnie,” Fry explains to the Peterborough Telegraph.
“There was plenty of interest in him before he started playing regularly in the Championship. That interest will only grow further when he plays for England in the summer (at the U19 European Championships).
“Spurs have been watching him for a long time, but so have other clubs. There is a big German club showing interest which is no real surprise as they love to take young English players and develop them.”
Which club will Ronnie Edwards join?
The Mail reports that, in addition to that mystery German club (Borussia Dortmund anyone, see Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham?) Tottenham will face competition from closer to home in the shape of Crystal Palace.
What’s more, Palace believe that Patrick Vieira’s excellent track record when it comes to blooding and improving young players like Peterborough’s 19-year-old centre-half stand them in good stead.
“I’m not saying (Edwards) will be sold as we haven’t had our planning meetings for next season yet,” Fry adds. “But, if he was to leave, ideally, he’d go and be loaned straight back to us for a year.
- How Rangers’ XI could look in 22/23, including 5 new signings
- How West Ham’s XI could look in 22/23 with 4 new signings
“Nothing is likely to happen anyway until Ronnie comes back from his tournament this summer.”
Peterborough’s immediate return to League One could complicate matters somewhat. After thriving at Championship level, playing third-tier football in 2022/23 would surely be far-from ideal as far as Edwards’ development is concerned.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
