Peterborough United co-owner on why transfer deals don’t always go through, why a media leak cost the club £50k and he tips a former Posh player to go right to the top

Peterborough United co-owner Darragh MacAnthony has warned potential signings to show enthusiasm and desire to make sure the transfer deal goes through.
Randell Williams (left).Randell Williams (left).
Randell Williams (left).

MacAnthony has been heavily involved in transfer negotiations, particularly in recent seasons, and he believes players from lower divisions should feel priviliged to move to the Weston Homes Stadium.

That’s not always the case as MacAnthony revealed in the latest episode of his popular ‘Hard Truth’ podcast.

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“We agreed a deal with a club for a player recently,” MacAnthony stated. “I was being greedy as it was one extra player we hadn’t planned on signing.

Sam Baldock (right).Sam Baldock (right).
Sam Baldock (right).

“The player was coming, then he wasn’t, then he changed agents to one I hated dealing with, then he said he wanted to play in a certain position and in the end I pulled the deal. I got fed up with the shenanigans. It wasn’t Lionel Messi we were dealing with after all. Anyway the player has since gone on to talk to other clubs and good luck to him.

“I don’t think we should have to compete with other clubs when trying to sign League Two players. Our record with such players is proven. They could feel privileged to join us.

“When a player comes for talks the manager does a presentation for them, showing them how they fit into our style of play etc. I like that player to show enthusiasm and desire to join. I want to sense they really want to come to Peterborough. Some times players are timid and shy. Older players can think they are too cool for school and we don’t sign them.

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“Players have to have a rapport with the manager. There was one high-profile player a few years back whose attitude gave the manager a bad feeling. He rang me and said we shouldn’t sign this player and we didn’t.”

Leo Da Silva Lopes playing for Posh in 2016.Leo Da Silva Lopes playing for Posh in 2016.
Leo Da Silva Lopes playing for Posh in 2016.

MacAnthony didn’t name the players involved, but he recently admitted on Twitter Posh had pulled out of a deal for Exeter City winger Randell Williams while talks were ongoing.

The player Ferguson became concerned about is thought to be ex-MK Dons forward Sam Baldock who is now with Championship leaders Reading.

MacAnthony also revealed a leak to the media from a hotel employee once cost Posh an extra £50k.

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“The media can hinder you big time,” MacAnthony added. “I’d agreed a free transfer for a Spurs player once, but a hotel employee tipped the media off and another League One club showed an interest so I ended up paying £50k for him.”

MacAnthony also revealed Plymouth paid a six-figure fee for George Cooper last month and that potential sell-ons would enable Posh to recoup the £300k they paid Crewe for the midfielder in 2018 and that latest signing Sammie Szmodics is not the highest paid player at the Weston Homes Stadium as previously suggested.

MacAnthony also tipped former Posh midfielder Leo Da Silva Lopes to go to the top following his surprise summer move from Hull City to Belgian club Cercle Brugge.

MacAnthony said: “Leo was wonderful for us at 17, nervous at 18 and under too much pressure at 19. Wigan paid a million for him, but didn’t give him time so Grant McCann, who coached him as a youngster, took him to Hull.

“If Leo gets his attitude right he can play as high as he wants to.”