There is another factor that you seem to be overlooking too - Stephens' personal finances. In the January window, he will be 3 months away from a MASSIVE signing on fee, which he will only get if the buying club are trying to tempt a free agent. Stephens himself might refuse to move in January!
Bloom's point was that had an acceptable bid been made, at a stage that gave the club time to source a replacement, then a dialogue could start.
Smack in the middle of a run of games in January, transfer window or otherwise, does not offer the same opportunity.
His worth to us has increased because of our league position, and at the very same time, his perceived value to potential buyers (i.e. what they'd HOPE to get him for) has gone DOWN, as he is that much closer to the end of his contract. Thus the disparity between these two figures has grown...
Of course they could afford to. They ended up paying more for Hendrick. They were well able to offer more for Stephens had they wanted to.
A PACKAGE worth £4m is very believable - i.e. wages included. A £4m singing on, lump sum. Not a chance.
Whatever inside information you have, you've...