Why selling Ross McCormack would make business sense for Fulham

Ross McCormack could be leaving Craven Cottage, with Norwich among the clubs keen to sign him. West London Sport reporter and Fulham columnist Kris Balkin argues the case in favour of selling the talismanic striker…

Ross McCormack has become the Wayne Rooney of the Championship – threaten to leave, get a new contract, threaten again, new contract again.

However, there seems to be a notable difference in the 29 year-old’s latest throw of the dice. There’s a substantive and sizeable bid for his services and, on this occasion, Fulham don’t seem quite so adamant to keep hold of him.

Norwich City have tabled a bid for his services and while this is being resisted, Fulham may well push up the price and then cash in on their prize asset.

McCormack, undoubtedly, has been integral to the club’s survival in the Championship for the past two seasons, scoring 38 league goals to keep Fulham’s head barely bobbing above the water. He has led the battle in trying to cancel out the damning work of the Whites’ porous defence.

Yes, his goals are valuable and his contribution to the team unwavering, but is it worth retaining a player that doesn’t want to be here? If you’re unsure, chuck £12m into the mix and reconsider.

Because, if – and it’s a big if – the club invest that income wisely, firstly by covering his loss and then by bolstering both the defence and the wings, we really would be in a better position.

When Cardiff lost McCormack, they didn’t suffer. When Leeds lost him, too, their form didn’t slide.

And so it’s important to look at his potential departure with a smattering of optimism; this could open up doors, not only in terms of spending power but in the way we approach our matches.

No longer would McCormack have to be our focal point. Slavisa Jokanovic can tinker as he pleases, further enforcing the pressing style of play which has worked so well over the course of pre-season.

Put simply, selling a Championship player, just about to enter his thirties, for potentially an eight-figure fee is quite exceptional business.

Of course, it’s no day to celebrate when you lose your best player, we of all clubs should know that. Yet, perhaps, it really isn’t all that bad.