James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

**soccerc** · 17/07/2009, 6:28 PM

McCarthy passed a medical late this afternoon with Wolves and agreed personal terms while Hamilton have accepted the �2m bid.

James then travelled to Wigan, more out of courtesy to Martinez though not sure if his agreement with Wolves is binding

**tommy_c12000** · 17/07/2009, 8:23 PM

From Skysports Transfer centre

21.13 Wolves have revealed James McCarthy is now considering his options after the Hamilton Academical midfielder held talks over a move to Molineux.

20.34 Harry Redknapp insists he would have no qualms bringing no new faces to Tottenham this summer, and has played down reports of an interest in James McCarthy and Alvaro Negredo.

**eirebhoy** · 18/07/2009, 12:41 PM

Mowbray:

"I haven't really been involved in it, to be fair. But with the numbers I have seen banded around, I would suggest Celtic won't be involved. I'm pretty aware that this club did make an offer for McCarthy however many months ago it was.

"I don't know exactly the number involved but if you times it by ten it probably gets closer to where it's at now. I haven't seen McCarthy play live but I have seen him on DVD.

"I think for the amount of money, where we are at as a club at the moment, is probably too rich. That's my thoughts for a boy who, although a very talented individual, I don't see him coming in for that sort of money and making a massive and immediate impact.

"I would never question he has great potential to become a very talented football player. It's just whether you've got the funds to speculate down the line. Premier League clubs have that money to speculate with a few million to bring a very talented football player to the football club. At this moment I would personally rather spend the money on trying to get finished product on the pitch if we could."

**tetsujin1979** · 18/07/2009, 7:01 PM

Wigan might have moved ahead of Wolves with promises of involvement in the first team
From http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...al/8146848.stm

But the 18-year-old has been promised involvement in the first-team squad being created at Wigan by their new manager, Roberto Martinez.

He has received no such guarantees from Premier League rivals Spurs or Wolves.

**tetsujin1979** · 19/07/2009, 2:15 PM

McCarthy to decided between Wolves and Wigan in the next 48 hours: http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/sport-ne...8057-21531867/

**dr_peepee** · 19/07/2009, 5:51 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

McCarthy to decided between Wolves and Wigan in the next 48 hours: http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/sport-ne...8057-21531867/

Quality Work by the agent.. There's no way he's deliberating.. He's sitting tight for a better club.. Fee is set and he's passed medicals.. No variables left for any monitoring clubs.. Better Club comes in and it's done in a few hours.. I don't think he'll be moving to either of these clubs.. Just a hunch..

**Wangball** · 20/07/2009, 11:47 AM

Word around Glasgow is that he's holding out for either Celtic or Spurs, but if he had to chose between Wigan or Wolves it'll be Wigan

Mowbray has already said its too much cash so unless some kind of mass exchange deal is worked out the Celtic move seems unlikely, not sure where the Spurs rumour came from thiough

**dr_peepee** · 20/07/2009, 12:09 PM

I think that had Spurs (and arguably Celtic??) been more involved before now Hamiltons expectation for the fee would be higher than either would be willing to pay... Could be a tactic on their part to stay out until late in the day.. I've often done it on Ebay..

Or maybe it's just wishfull thinking on my part...

**ruben_sosa** · 20/07/2009, 3:08 PM

Originally Posted by dr_peepee

I think that had Spurs (and arguably Celtic??) been more involved before now Hamiltons expectation for the fee would be higher than either would be willing to pay... Could be a tactic on their part to stay out until late in the day.. I've often done it on Ebay..

Or maybe it's just wishfull thinking on my part...

Celtic simply don't rate him, and neither do i until i hear and see more about him than just "Barcelona and Liverpool Scouts..." soundbites from his Agent.

**irishultra** · 20/07/2009, 4:32 PM

I agree, I mean surely if all these scouts that apparently were at their games in the past 2 years were that impressed, clubs around europe would be making serious enquiries now rather than just leaving him off to join whatever team he ends up joining for 1-2 million, they don't want to fork out 15 million euro in 3 years time I would have thought.

**SkStu** · 20/07/2009, 5:27 PM

what age was Roy Keane when he became the most expensive transfer in british history? Young enough. Mark Kennedy was the most expensive teenager at one stage too.

Have no idea what point i am trying to make but i fear McCarthy may not be the great ginger saviour we have been led to believe. That said, im sure he will become a very good premiership player.

Yeah, that was a good post.

**eirebhoy** · 20/07/2009, 6:42 PM

The BBC say he has chosen Wigan. Good move for him. Possession football is what he needs.

**dr_peepee** · 20/07/2009, 7:33 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

what age was Roy Keane when he became the most expensive transfer in british history? Young enough. Mark Kennedy was the most expensive teenager at one stage too.

Have no idea what point i am trying to make but i fear McCarthy may not be the great ginger saviour we have been led to believe. That said, im sure he will become a very good premiership player.

Yeah, that was a good post.

I see what you're saying but maybe that's an issue in Brittish football. The perception that if you haven't ticked certain box's by a certain age it's over. I've often read bio's of the big European players and been surprised by the route to the Big Club.. Some players have two or three clubs worth of consistant football before they make the big move. We (They???) don't tend to have that. It seems to be either Academy Graduate - Or Big Fish Small Pond gets Big Move. It either works (Keano, Lampard) or they drift off back to a lower level (Parker). I can't think of many big name brittish players that has had a varried resume prior to becoming a big force in the league. It's common enough on the continent though...

**eirebhoy** · 20/07/2009, 8:12 PM

Frank Ribery played for 3 French 3rd division clubs and didn't get a move to the top flight until he was 21.

**Razors left peg** · 20/07/2009, 8:15 PM

Drogba was in the lower regions of the French League until he was about 26 I think

**tetsujin1979** · 20/07/2009, 8:16 PM

Drogba was playing in Ligue 2 until he was 23, and Guingamp brought him to Ligue 1

**Wangball** · 20/07/2009, 9:58 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Drogba was playing in Ligue 2 until he was 23, and Guingamp brought him to Ligue 1

Just to stray off topic for a moment, one of Drogba's best mates in football is Momo Sylla formerly of Celtic, whilst Drogba was at Guingamp he asked Sylla to hook him up with a Scottish agent for a trial with the Bhoys and Sylla told him out straight he wouldn't be good enough!

Back on topic Tim Cahill put in a decent shift in the lower leagues with Millwall before being brought to Everton

**Hibernian** · 20/07/2009, 10:26 PM

I hear that he has signed for Wigan for 1.2 million. That may reach 3 million depending on appearances

**Ghost2hammers** · 21/07/2009, 10:32 AM

How good is this kid? sorry dont really watch the scotch league.

**dr_peepee** · 21/07/2009, 11:19 AM

I've not seen him either. But any player with that much senior football at his age, at any level (even LSL) must have something about him. He played consistently in a team that won promotion and then consolidated their position in the SPL... Based on that it's a leap of faith in him I'm prepared to take.

There's still a couple of loose ends and it's not rubber stamped yet.. I still hope it's usurped at the last minute. Wishfull thinking I know...