Watford owner Laurence Bassini has explained the last minute sale of star striker Marvin Sordell to Bolton. The Championship club accepted an undisclosed bid from Bolton which is reported to have the potential to rise to around £3.5million.
Bassini told the club's official website:
"We made an offer to double Marvin's wages, however his agent advised this wouldn't be considered and that they'd simply let his contract run down. Then we'd have been in a vulnerable position as regards compensation amounts - so it became more about doing what's best for Watford FC at that exact moment.
"I discussed the matter with Graham Taylor (chairman) and we agreed that selling Marvin was in the best interests of the football club, given the circumstances. It was a tough decision because Marvin may well have gone on to further his transfer value with plenty more goals from now until May, but we didn't feel we could risk being in a contractually weaker state come the summer.
"We also had approaches from other clubs, including Cardiff. Given what has happened in the two clubs' recent history (the departure of manager Malky Mackay to south Wales), the chances of striking a deal there were remote, to say the least." "Unfortunately, you cannot protect your own players from external and third party influence when it comes to what might be best for their future career.
