[Slick_Footwork]

As I remember it, I doubt whether Lukaku would have signed for us. He knew a bigger club would come in for him, one that could springboard his career better than we could have.

I know you see these sorts of posts all the time 'friend of friend of friend' type and they seem hard to believe...

But, a good friend of mine worked closely with Lukaku when he was here and after his loan spell, he would've signed for us. He loved it here, loved playing, loved the way he was treated by the fans. He lives and breaths playing football. Let's remember, we were the side that gave him Premier League football.

We wouldn't put up the cash to sign up, but despite that, he wanted to come on loan again.

However we were dilly dallying and left it until the last minute. We'd signed Anichebe and were trying to sign someone else permanently and only went back in for the loan when that fell through. Everton on the other hand showed real interest in him and Roberto Martinez called him up assuring him first team football. That's why he turned us down and went there.

Everton then signed him at the end of his loan spell and in that time, his value had already risen by a solid £10m. I think they paid around £30m for him, we could've got him for £20m.

All ifs, buts and maybes. But he showed massive potential with us and the board failed to push the boat out. So far, I've seen nothing from the new board to suggest they will be any different.

---

If I've made this argument once, I've made it a thousand times, but you won't get people to listen.  Some folks live in a fantasy world where numbers are all that count, and players' own feelings, ambitions and perceptions of different clubs apparently just don't exist.

You'd think it would have sunk in by now that clubs like Southampton are minted and pay top-level wages, but still every single decent player (or manager) they get eventually jumps ship for Spurs or Everton. It's not just about the money.

Of course, if West Brom, Leicester, Southampton etc sign any 'potential' player for £15m - £20 - and they do well, they will be sold.

Van Dijk at Southampton prime example. Cost a pretty penny at £15m, but could easily go for 2-3x that amount.

However, the good thing is, that gives you the cash to sign several good players. Much like Everton are doing now as well as Leicester (who I guarantee are using the Mahrez money in advance).

Our problem is we've invested in nobody and now have nobody worth selling. We have to keep replacing our old heads using the TV money, where as other sides are using the TV money plus sales. I'd really like to see our board push the boat out for some proven young talent occasionally. Lukaku was the prime example of a chance wasted.