I'm not just thinking about next season. It's that kind of short term planning that got us into this mess.
People are suggesting 3 year contracts, so we're going to have a 32 year old striker with no real resale value on probably the largest wages at the club.
If we don't get promoted then he will be a major burden on this club.
Fans won't like it but if I were Dowling I wouldn't sanction a permanent move for him. A loan would be acceptable so long as there's no guarantee we have to sign him
If we get promoted next season , his wages will be a pittance compared to the revenue we would generate in the premier league.
To get promoted we still need to score the same level of goals we scored last season.
The last thing we want is to see him go to Leeds or Middlesbrough and for him to score a hat trick against us. I'm sure Dowling would be more wary of that happening.
He is guaranteed 20+ goals in this league , without him we are 20+ goals short next season. That could mean no promotion. Is it worth taking that risk !!!!
We need to start thinking about next season not 3 years away. 3 years away Bilic might not be with us !!!