Vaughan Set To Consider New ‘Pool Contract

Blackpool are set to offer midfield maestro David Vaughan a new three year contract in a bid to tie him to Bloomfield Road for the foreseeable future.

Vaughan’s contract expires in the summer, and it is believed that the Welsh international has been attracting interest from other Premier League clubs keen to sign him on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Presumably the clubs interested in Vaughany would be able to offer him a far greater weekly salary than the Seasiders (who have introduced a self-imposed wage cap around the £10,000 mark), although high level discussions between ‘Pool manager Ian Holloway, chairman Karl Oyston and president Valeri Belokon have been taking place this meeting, with Vaughany’s contract high on the agenda – could the Seasiders be prepared to break their cap to keep someone who is undoubtedly one of their jewels in the crown?

Holloway has already spoken about how he has no gripe with any of his players that leave the seaside to better themselves and knows that he will lose his better players sooner rather than later to bigger fish.

However, the enigmatic manager has also stated that it would be incredibly hard to replace the likes of Vaughan if they left on a free transfer.

And today – presumably in an attempt to butter the player up – Ollie has spoken about his importance to The Gazette:

‘If you wanted the perfect footballer to work with it would be him.

‘Every day he is exactly the same. His quality with both feet is amazing.

‘He is an incredible player and a wonderful person, and I’m just very fortunate to have him at the club because he hardly ever does anything sub-standard.

‘He is playing so well and I wish him well whatever happens. It is a joy to work with him.’

Of course there is the option of selling the player next month should he not want to sign a new deal, but that is unlikely given his importance to the team.

One possible avenue to explore could be the inclusion of a clause allowing Vaughan to leave if the ‘Pool are relegated in May.

However, whilst contracts are often a long, drawn out process, it seems remarkable that we have reached this situation with such a key player just one month before he can sign a pre-contract agreement with another club (albeit foreign).

Fingers crossed that Vaughany signs a new deal as there is no doubt that he is an incredible player who has flourished in Ian Holloway’s new system (a bit of loyalty to the manager who’s helped progress his career would be nice eh?).

Contract negotiations are also expected to continue with Matt Gilks and Stephen Crainey in the coming days with both players also free agents in the summer.