Colchester United are open to the departure of their star man Junior Tchamadeu during this summer’s transfer window, according to the club’s chairman Robbie Cowling. While no offers have matched the club’s valuation of the 19-year-old right-back, they have made it clear that they will not stand in his way if a very reasonable bid is submitted. Despite interest from Championship clubs, Colchester remains relaxed about the situation.
Speaking at the U’s Open Day, Cowling stated, As it stands at the moment, there are clubs that are showing an interest in Junior and as it stands at the moment, they have not offered us enough money for us to want to part with Junior. However, you have to look at it from Junior’s point of view as well and we have to consider that if an offer does come in that is very reasonable, we would not want to stand in his way, going forward. It’s quite right that all of the players at Colchester United are ambitious and they want to move on in the game and Junior’s example is no exception to that. At the moment, we haven’t crossed that line and we don’t know whether that will happen or not. We’re relaxed about it. He’s a young player and we’re protected in terms of what the club’s value of him is. Last year, he was voted the best right-back in League Two and I think they got that vote right, so we currently have the best right-back in the league.
Colchester United’s sporting director, Dmitri Halajko, also emphasized that any funds generated from player departures would be reinvested in strengthening the first-team squad. Halajko stated, If any player leaves, we are ready to add to the squad. There are still areas where we’re looking to add to this current squad. But if people were to leave, that gives us more budget to go out there and maybe bring in more. We’re quite relaxed about it – some players might leave like (Ossama Ashley) but the money we got from that has gone back in and we can reinvest that money elsewhere. If players do go, what you can guarantee is that that money will go back into the football club and hopefully, we can use it to push us forward.
Colchester United’s willingness to let Junior Tchamadeu leave if the right offer is made indicates their ambition as a club and their desire to facilitate the personal development and ambitions of their players. While no offer matching their valuation has been received yet, the club remains prepared for the possibility of his departure and is confident in their ability to reinvest any funds generated from player sales to bolster their squad.
Overall, the stance of Colchester United exhibits their pragmatic approach to transfers, ensuring the best interests of both the player and the club are considered. As the transfer window progresses, it will be interesting to see if any club meets their valuation for Tchamadeu and whether the talented right-back will make a move to advance his career.
