Premier League - Pearson lifts lid on Turner sale

PA Sport - Tue, 03 Nov 10:40:00 2009

Hull City executive chairman Adam Pearson has denied the cut-price sale of defender Michael Turner to Sunderland was for financial reasons.

michael turner celebrates - 0

Pearson has lifted the lid on the deal which saw Turner join Sunderland in August for what was described at the time as an undisclosed fee.

Tigers manager Phil Brown had previously valued Turner at around £12 million but it has been revealed the 25-year-old cost the Wearsiders just £4m. The deal does not include any add-ons based on performances with 33 per cent of the £4m going to Turner's former clubs Brentford and Charlton.

The size of the fee has again raised questions about the necessity to balance the books but Pearson insists the club didn't have to sell, adding: "Under no circumstances was it a financial necessity to sell Michael Turner.

"I can only second guess what people were thinking but there was probably a feeling the player wanted to go and that was the best possible deal available for him.

"It's not incremental, the total amount of cash we will receive for Michael Turner is £2.8m. Those are the facts."

The former Derby chairman on Monday began a second spell as Hull chairman less than a week after leaving Pride Park.

Pearson, who takes over following Paul Duffen's resignation last Thursday, said: "It's happened very quickly over the last week. The owner decided it was important we had a new direction so I'm delighted to be here, it's like coming home."

Pearson oversaw City's rise from near bankruptcy to the Championship in six successful years from 2001 but left after the club were taken over by a consortium headed by Duffen.

Hull went on to secure promotion to the Barclays Premier League after his departure but he returns days after it was revealed the club's finances are in a parlous state and with manager Phil Brown's position under intense scrutiny.

Pearson added: "The infrastructure of the club seems pretty much the same. We have got one or two issues to address but I am sure we will do that.

"Everything here looks as though it can be put right pretty quickly. Hopefully we can sort on the pitch out as well and move forward there and get a bit of team spirit and unity back together."

Hull have been warned they could face a deficit of £23million if they are relegated from the top flight this season.

Among Pearson's immediate priorities will be to trim a wage bill that has been reported to have reached £40 million.

"Everything I can see on those accounts looks to me as though it's solvable and I don't think there should be any dramatic panic about our financial situation," he said.

PA Sport

Comment 1 - 8 of 8

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  1. The lunatics have finally taken over the asylum or Hull­ City in this case!
    Adam Pearson would have been better­ saying nothing rather than making the club and its­ former chairman and current manager look incompetent­ and stupid.
    What absolute hogwash Turner had just­ signed a 4 year contract. He was the best defender at­ the club if not in the league. Turner is an honest lad­ and would have kept playing his best for his team even­ if he did "want away" What sort of­ businessman lets a player dictate his own release on­ such ridiculous terms at a time of crisis for the­ club.

    None of this washes with any sensible fan ----­ so what is the real story?--will we ever find out?

    From Get rid of the Lords, on Wed 4 Nov 11:08PM

  2. 4 million for michael turner are you joking, that is­ pathetic i couldnt give a sh#t if he wanted to go or­ not pearson is full of @#$% they sold because they have­ got theirselves into trouble thats plain and simple.­ brown and duffen thought they could get 12 mill for him­ and then deadline day come and the only actual offer­ was from @#$% sunderland. joke.our club needs srripping­ bare and starting again

    From chrismcdougall, on Wed 4 Nov 6:13AM

  3. ps
    if there is ANY proof of dodgy dealings then BOTH­ clubs should be relegated TWO divisions.

    From cameron w, on Wed 4 Nov 3:00AM

  4. ps
    if there is ANY proof of dodgy dealings then BOTH­ clubs should be relegated TWO divisions.

    From cameron w, on Wed 4 Nov 3:00AM

  5. So 'we are staying up' are we Tango-Man, aye at­ what cost . . . oblivion, that's what . . . . oh­ aye, and the dole for you!

    From cameron w, on Wed 4 Nov 2:59AM

  6. looks like another Pompey have to pay inflated wages to­ second rate players just to get them to come

    From Alex F, on Tue 3 Nov 9:10PM

  7. Well i thought Turner got pushed out to try and­ bankrole the team for the season but clearly i was­ wrong. He wanted to leave plain and simple. The­ problem we have now is trying to balance the books and­ somehow working some magic in the transfer market,­ loans can be the only solution. Although so far­ it's not proven to be a reliable way to aquire­ cheap players. Good luck Mr Pearson i think you will­ need it.

    From Jon, on Tue 3 Nov 8:20PM

  8. 40 Million for what?

    From Easyrider2609, on Tue 3 Nov 6:53PM
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