SM
Brighton vs. Southampton: 11 hrs 46 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Turnbull sale would give Motherwell 'once-in-a-lifetime' chance, says Burrows

:Headline: Turnbull sale would give Motherwell 'once-in-a-lifetime' chance, says Burrows: ID:361953: from db_amp
Motherwell have accepted a club-record fee from Celtic for midfielder David Turnbull, which is understood to be worth £3million.

Motherwell are set for big decisions on a "once-in-a-lifetime" chance to shape the club's future if David Turnbull's move to Celtic goes through.

Turnbull could sign for Celtic in the coming days after Motherwell accepted a club-record fee for the 19-year-old midfielder on Wednesday.

The boyhood Motherwell fan scored 15 goals in 30 league games this season but his transfer legacy could be a far greater contribution to his side.

The deal is understood to be worth £3million to the fan-owned club with the potential for further add-ons.

The fee would wipe out Motherwell's debt to former owners John Boyle and Les Hutchison. When Boyle sold his shares to Hutchison for £1 in January 2015, he was owed about £350,000 for a loan dating from financial difficulties caused by the collapse of Setanta TV in 2009.

Hutchison put in more than £1.5million in interest-free loans to plug losses which amounted to about £2million in four seasons from 2011-15, before passing on his shares to the Well Society.

A significant sum has already been paid back, with the help of a record profit of £1.7million from 2017-18, when Motherwell reached two cup finals and benefited from the sales of Louis Moult and Ben Heneghan.

The club were financially secure for the coming season anyway but the fee for Turnbull will allow them to plan further ahead with the only debt being owed to the Well Society, which is not looking to recoup the money.

Chief executive Alan Burrows wrote on Twitter: "If the deal goes through then we'll take a collective view on what is the best use.

"A part of that will be about trying to strengthen the squad further for sure.

"However, I think it's important not to blow what could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take the club to a different level when it comes to infrastructure projects around the academy and our youth development programme.

"However, let's see what happens and then we'll take stock."

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson will no doubt expect a boost to his summer transfer plans, which already included a bid to re-sign winger Gboly Ariyibi, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Fir Park.

Burrows wrote: "We'd love to bring him back for sure. We're in constant contact with Nottingham Forest about trying to see if we can work something out.

"There are various nuances that don't make it simple, but we'll be as patient as we can be."

amp_article__361953 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-06-14 07:24:27:
html db last update - 2019-06-14 07:24:27 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about David Turnbull

Click here for more stories about Motherwell

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1211103543134
2Aberdeen13102128151332
3RangersRangers12723179823
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd135531914520
5Motherwell126151616019
6St Mirren145361923-418
7Dundee134362225-315
8Ross County143651222-1015
9St Johnstone144191727-1013
10Kilmarnock133371526-1112
11Hearts142391524-99
12Hibernian141671525-109
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .