Source: Telegraph
Hull City deny wrongdoing over Michael Turner sale
Pearson spoke out as the league decided to scrutinise Turner's move to the Stadium of Light following complaints from his previous clubs Charlton Athletic and Brentford.[LNB]Concerns have been raised by the League One clubs about the transfer fee involved because Hull City's prized asset was allowed to move to Sunderland for a meagre £3.5 million which had an adverse effect on sell-on clauses negotiated earlier in his career.[LNB] Related ArticlesTurner's transfer to Sunderland under investigationAdam Pearson backs Phil BrownTransfer probe adds to Hull City's problemsJewell waits in wings to rescue HullHull have real problemsSport on televisionBut, speaking for the first time on the issue since he succeeded Paul Duffen in the KC Stadium chairman's office, Pearson has claimed the struggling Yorkshire club had no cause for concern over the deal.[LNB]"From what I can see, an investigation is wholly unfounded," Pearson said. "We're entirely comfortable, there's nothing untoward as far as I can see.[LNB]"I think the two clubs have seen inflated figures in the press but the only thing we could be accused of is not maximising the fee at the best possible time."[LNB]Pearson, who left the chairman's post Derby last week to come to his former club's rescue, took a swipe at Duffen for failing to cash in on Turner whose transfer fee has not been officially disclosed by either club.[LNB]"Under no circumstances was it a financial necessity to sell Michael Turner," he said.[LNB]"I can only second guess what people were thinking but there was probably a feeling that the player wanted to go and that was the best possible deal available for him.[LNB]"All I can say is that there's no requirement to sell players we want to keep."[LNB]There have been suggestions that the value of Turner's transfer could rise to £8 million but Pearson has refuted those claims.[LNB]"It's not incremental; the total amount of cash we will receive for Michael Turner is £2.8m. Those are the facts.[LNB]"The cash generated from that deal after paying Brentford and Charlton is £2.8m and in light of what we've been spending on players, I would tend to suggest that it's a disappointing return for the player.[LNB]"With hindsight, I'm not sure that Aug 31 was the best time to sell Michael Turner and certainly not at that price. We've had to pay a transfer fee for Paul McShane of £500,000 but that's a separate deal."[LNB]The Premier League investigation into Turner's move will be heard the week commencing Nov 30.[LNB]Meanwhile, Pearson is setting his sights on moving 15 players out of the KC Stadium in the near future as he tries to cut a crippling £40-million wage bill that is threatening to send the club into financial meltdown.[LNB]It means Pearson will try to ease out the likes of Daniel Cousin, George Boateng and Bernard Mendy who all pick up in excess of £24,000 per week while Peter Halmosi and Craig Fagan have also emerged as potential fall guys.[LNB]"We have too many players; it is as simple as that," Pearson said. "There are 40 at the club, plus all the kids, and I would envisage that number having to come down by 15 or so. [LNB]"In a way, the club has been a victim of its own success as it has come a long way in a very short space of time. As I know from my time here when we won back-to-back promotions, it is easy to accumulate players on your way up.[LNB]"Clearly, the number has to come down. But what I will say to supporters is this club is miles away from having to sell the players it wants to keep.[LNB]"The departures I am talking about concern those who are not in the team." [LNB]
