AFC Wimbledon boss Mark Bowen knows it will be difficult to keep Jack Rudoni with Premier League trio Leeds United, Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers all interested, speaking to the South London Press.
Heading into the final day of the League One season, the Dons were under pressure to bring an overdue end a staggering 26 game winless run and hope for a seven-goal swing if they wanted to pull off the greatest of great escapes.
Needless to say, such Hollywood heroics proved to be beyond a side who hadn’t tasted success since December 7th.
But at least Wimbledon went down fighting.
Rudoni, their 12-goal top scorer, found the net twice in the 4-3 final day defeat to Accrington Stanley, a London-born midfielder who grew up idolising Frank Lampard channelling his inner-Chelsea legend with a couple of trademark finishes.
On the move?
According to TEAMtalk, Leeds, Burnley and Wolves have all sent scouts to watch 20-year-old Rudoni this season.
Nottingham Forest, West Brom and a Fulham side who secured the Championship title during Monday’s 7-0 dismissal of Luton Town are also keen.
“I am under no illusions that the club have got to do things that they need to do to financially survive. I am aware of that,” former Reading boss Bowen explains when asked about Rudoni’s future.
“If it comes to a situation where certain individuals have to leave, then what is most important is that it’s right for the club in terms of the money that we get and if we can replace them.
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“It’s not an exact science. But I am certainly very much aware of where AFC Wimbledon are in terms of being able to keep players who are maybe getting offers from bigger clubs in higher leagues.
“It’s a difficult situation to try and fight against.”
In truth, it would have been difficult to keep hold of Rudoni even if AFC Wimbledon had ‘done a Burnley’ and put together a remarkable string of results when the pressure was on.
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