When you've got an owner that won't spend, a team that's been overtaken by Southampton (in administration 5 years ago), crystal palace, stoke, west ham. Spurs, Everton over the last few years I guess we are becoming a harder sell for 'big' players.
Shame, I think. He was gash at times, but very good latterly.Still if it needed a 5 year deal to seal it, glad we didn't. We know what happens when we dish out 5 year deals. He doesn't warrant that big a contract IMO.