AFC Wimbledon chairman Mick Buckley claims Bristol City failed to meet their asking price for left-back Jack Currie while also refusing to include a clause that would send him back on loan for the rest of the season.
The Robins made four offers for the 21-year-old over the period of four days before deciding against pursuing a move for the talent with the League Two side refusing to budge on their valuation. Bristol Live understands the top offer reached £600,000 before City walked away.
City upped the ante in their pursuit of Currie on transfer deadline day with Jay Dasilva prepped to make way to join Coventry City which would have taken him to the end of his Robins contract. The deal fell through although the club are likely to return for his signature in the summer.
It's understood Currie was given a verbal promise from the Dons to let him leave for the Championship but were struggling to find a replacement in the final throes of the window. The club were also under no pressure to sell having allowed Ayoub Assal to join Qatari club Al Wakrah earlier in the window.
Providing an update on AFC Wimbledon's official site, Buckley said: "There was no plan or intent to sell Jack Currie in this window. That said, based on the scouts watching us in recent weeks, it was probable we would get an offer.
"Bristol City have an excellent track record in developing young players. They have loaned us two excellent players. I guess the writing was on the wall – quite literally – when (Head of Recruitment) Jamie Johnson and (Head of Football Operations) Craig Cope went to Bristol City to meet the technical director and there on the wall were his recruitment targets – including Jack’s name!
"Bristol didn’t actually make an offer until the last Saturday of the window. Several offers and conversations followed but Bristol City couldn’t get to our valuation, and they weren’t willing to loan him back to us for the rest of the season."
Currie turned up to first-team training on deadline day but didn't participate after telling manager Johnnie Jackson he wasn't in the right frame of mind given City's interest. Buckley added: "He’s naturally ambitious and playing in the Championship would obviously be attractive for him but, as someone studying for a business degree, he is smart enough to know that a deal needs to work for all parties.
"He didn’t agitate for a move and made it clear that if things didn’t work we had his 100 per cent commitment. He is a fantastic role model as he showed recently when a group of students were given a tour of the stadium recently. He will continue to develop here, and further opportunities will follow."
City loaned AFC Wimbledon Ryley Towler in the first half of the campaign and the defender was hugely impressive with a view of remaining at the Cherry Red Records Stadium for the duration of the season. However, his performances led to interest and the eventual sale to League One Portsmouth in the New Year.
"Parent clubs reserve the right to recall in January, that’s the deal we sign up to," Buckley added. "Whilst indications had been that the two players were staying for the rest of the season, plans changed, and it showed how unpredictable the transfer window can be.
"Just as Johnnie Jackson and our new head of football operations, Craig Cope, were sitting down for a recruitment planning meeting, news came in that Ryley was being recalled as well. It was a very tough moment for them but they quickly faced forward to their list of target players. I am delighted that both players (Paris Maghoma) developed well here and wish them both well in the next stage of their careers."
Talented academy striker Sam Pearson is also on loan with AFC Wimbledon having signed last month but has played just once.
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