Northampton Town captain Charlie Goode has admitted that he is aware of speculation linking him with Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Queens Park Rangers, while speaking to the Northampton Chronicle.
After skippering the Cobblers into League Two via a 4-0 play-off final thrashing of Exeter City, it remains to be seen whether the man-mountain centre-half will stick around for another season at Sixfields.
Northampton are demanding £1 million, according to TEAMtalk, but even a fee that would make Goode the biggest export in their 123-year history is not putting off his many suitors.
The report adds that Sunderland, QPR, Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers are all interested.
Middlesbrough, meanwhile, have made an initial offer of £500,000 with Goode a perfect fit for Neil Warnock’s patented, ‘into the mixer’ approach (Northern Echo).
Standing at 6ft 4ins, he commanded the fifth-best defence in League Two last season while scoring four times at the other end of the pitch.
“My focus is on the pitch,” the one-time Fulham and Watford youngster says. “(The rumours are) something I’m aware of but at the end of the day I play for Northampton and that won’t change until my last day at the club.
“My focus is as normal and I’m just looking forward to the new season. I’ve loved every minute I’ve had at this club.”
“I came here to get promoted last season and I’ve helped us achieve that – but it doesn’t stop now.”
A diplomatic, captain’s answer from a man who, according to Northampton chairman Kelvin Thomas, will only be sold for a ‘significant fee’.
League One rivals Sunderland have already snapped up one excellent central defender in free agent Bailey Wright. Goode could perhaps forge a promotion-winning partnership with the Australian international at the Stadium of Light.
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