“Kwame Poku Linked with Rangers Move as Contract Winds Down – Peterborough Boss Responds”

“Peterborough Boss Darren Ferguson Issues Firm Statement on Kwame Poku’s Future Amid Rangers Transfer Link”

Peterborough United manager Darren Ferguson has firmly shut down speculation regarding a potential January move for star forward Kwame Poku, amid growing interest from Rangers and other English clubs. The 23-year-old attacker has been in sensational form this season, netting 10 goals in 15 games, including a stunning hat-trick in the 6-1 demolition of Cambridge United before the international break.

Poku, who is in his fourth season with the Posh following his move from Colchester United, is out of contract next summer. His impressive performances have attracted attention from several clubs, with Rangers reportedly keen on securing a pre-contract agreement ahead of a potential move in the summer.

However, Ferguson, who is the son of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, made it clear that Poku will not be leaving the club in the January transfer window. Despite the uncertainty over his future, Ferguson stated that the club is determined to hold on to the winger for the remainder of the season and has no intention of selling him mid-season.

While the club continues to try and negotiate a new contract with Poku, Ferguson also revealed that they have contingency plans in place should the player decide to move on at the end of the season. For now, however, the focus remains on keeping Poku at Peterborough and continuing his strong contribution to the team’s push in League One.

Speaking to Posh +, Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson shared his thoughts on the growing transfer speculation surrounding some of his star players, including Kwame Poku, ahead of the January window. Ferguson acknowledged that speculation is a part of the game but sees it as a positive sign for his club’s performance, stating:

“We’ve had speculation about our players in all my time here. And I see it as a good thing because if no one is talking about your players, it means you’re not doing very well as a team. That speculation is only going to crank up in January, and clearly, I will have to manage the situation regarding certain players.”

On the specific situation of Poku, Ferguson was adamant that the talented forward would not be leaving in January, adding, “I don’t think anything will happen with Kwame (Poku). We have a safety net with him and with Ricky (Jade Jones) as we would get compensation for both of them given their ages.”

Despite the interest in Poku, whose contract runs out next summer, Ferguson made it clear that the club has contingencies in place. He also addressed the club’s plans for the January transfer window, revealing that while he doesn’t usually make a lot of moves in January, they are looking to recruit one player in a specific position. However, the decision to do so will depend on “one other thing happening,” though he did not provide further details.

Ferguson’s calm and calculated approach to the situation reflects his confidence in managing both the potential departures of key players and the team’s ongoing ambition in League One.

Rangers could be poised to take advantage of cross-border compensation rules, potentially securing the services of Peterborough’s standout attacker, Kwame Poku, for a six-figure sum when his contract expires next summer. With Poku’s contract ticking down, Rangers could swoop in using the same loophole they’ve exploited in the past, such as their acquisitions of Joe Aribo from Charlton and Calvin Bassey from Leicester City. This move would allow them to avoid a hefty transfer fee, saving millions in the process.

For Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony, however, this scenario would be a nightmare. MacAnthony has been very vocal about his club’s valuation of their star asset, placing a £6million price tag on Poku’s head. In a recent interview on the Hard Truth podcast, MacAnthony discussed how tribunal fees and compensation would be calculated if Poku were to leave on a free transfer next summer.

He explained: “(Tribunals will) look at a lot of things. They’ll look at how long he’s been with you? He’ll have been with us four years, he’ll have played probably 200 games, we’d have paid nearly £500k in add-ons already. They’ll look at the offers we’ve had. So we’ll be able to straight away go into the tribunal and show them offers from six months ago that were of the value of three-and-three, £3m up front and £3m in add-ons (£6m in total).”

MacAnthony is confident that the tribunal would consider the offers Peterborough have already received for Poku, aiming to ensure the club receives fair compensation for their prized asset. However, with the player’s future still uncertain, Peterborough will have to navigate this tricky situation carefully, especially with Rangers lurking as potential suitors.

Peterborough United’s owner, Darragh MacAnthony, is confident that the compensation for Kwame Poku would be a fair reflection of the player’s development and potential market value if the attacker were to depart on a free transfer at the end of his contract. As Poku’s current deal runs down, MacAnthony explained the tribunal process in detail, emphasizing that Peterborough will expect a substantial fee for their star player, especially if a big club like Rangers comes calling.

MacAnthony said: “We will expect minimum that plus, plus, plus and plus. A fair tribunal will look and go ‘yeah, you’ve spent £500k, you’ve developed him’ and the club that is trying to sign him, they’ll look at it and go ‘that’s a big club with money, you’re going to have to pay whatever’. So that’s how they would value that.”

MacAnthony also pointed out that Peterborough’s significant offer to Poku plays into the tribunal’s assessment. With Poku being a key figure for the club, MacAnthony believes the tribunal will take into account the investments made in his development. Furthermore, he expects the tribunal to ensure that clubs like Rangers don’t get an unfair advantage when signing players on a free transfer, stressing that a fair price should be paid to reflect Poku’s value to Peterborough.

He added: “(The fact we’ve made him a big offer) plays into it too. We’d expect the tribunal to be very fair to not discourage clubs from being in that situation when you get richer clubs coming in and to make them pay a fair price.”

Ultimately, MacAnthony is hopeful that Peterborough will be compensated fairly for Poku’s talent, ensuring the club is rewarded for their efforts in nurturing the winger’s potential. Despite the looming threat of a low-cost departure, MacAnthony remains resolute that the process will be just for his club.