Mixu slaps on hefty price tags
by Jospeh Caron Dawe, 15 May 2008
Hibernian manager Mixu Paatelainen says it will take offers of up to £10 million to prise his best players away from Easter Road this summer as he attempts to keep hold of his hottest talents.
The Finn is trying to build a strong squad for next season – his first full campaign in charge of the Edinburgh club – and will do his utmost to fend off interest from prospective enquirers.
That includes slapping a hefty price tag on his prized assets, such as striker Steven Fletcher.
“I will do everything to keep my players but a £10m offer is a difficult offer to turn down,” he said in the Daily Record.
“That would be up to the chairman to decide but if an offer like that came in we’d have to consider it.
“I’m not surprised clubs are interested in some of our players but I’m hoping to keep every one of my top players here for next season.
“I’ll keep the squad together because the majority of players are under contract for next season and won’t break that. I’m happy with this squad.”
On the other hand Paatelainen is keen to do his summer shopping as soon as possible and get his own targets in before next month.
“I go away in June so I want to get most of my signings in by then but if the right players become available, I don’t mind when they come in. I’m trying to add players to the pool but I’m trying to cut my squad,” he continued.
“How many players I bring in depends on how many leave this summer.
“But I am looking to improve this team and take them to the next level. I’ve not been surprised by how good these players are but now I want to improve things.”
One player the Hibs boss does want to keep hold of is Clayton Donaldson, who has been linked with a move back across the border.
“Of course he has a big part in my plans,” added Paatelainen.
“I want to keep my best players and I have been using him nearly every week.”