Powers of persuasion to be used on Gwion

The chances of star Peterborough United midfielder Gwion Edwards signing a new contract at the ABAX Stadium now rest with the persuasive powers of chairman Darragh MacAnthony.

Director of football Barry Fry revealed to www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk last week that Edwards’ agent had told him his player would ‘not even look at a new contract offer’ from Posh such is his desire to step into the Championship

Posh now face a dilemma as the 25 year-old is out of contract at the end of next season. Club policy dictates players are automatically placed on the transfer list if they turn down a new deal after entering the final year of a contract.

But Edwards is a key player, especially if Jack Marriott and Marcus Maddison leave Posh as expected.

Posh are also concerned about what fee they will receive for a player who has started just 48 of 92 League One matches for the club in the last two seasons.

Fry said: “It’s a tricky one with Gwion. His agent is treating it like a game. He says Gwion won’t even look at a contract offer as he wants to get to the Championship.

“The view of my chairman, manager and myself is that a fully-fit Gwion would help us win promotion so we are prepared to keep him here for the whole of next season and risk losing him for nothing next summer.

“I suspect Championship clubs will now start making silly offers for Gwion knowing we stand to lose him for nothing next summer, but that tac- tic won’t work.

“I’ve told the agent we currently value Gwion at £1.5 million, but if he played regularly it would be nearer to £5 million.

“But we will talk about it some more today (Thursday) as myself the chairman and the manager have a meeting.

“I would imagine the chairman will try and talk Gwion into signing a new deal next week. I don’t think he has any chance, but you never know.

“George Boyd was not going to sign a new deal the other year, but after talking to the chairman he put pen to paper. I fell off my chair when then happened as it was so unexpected.”

Posh have denied knowledge of Scottish Premier League side Rangers’ interest in Edwards who can start talking to clubs in January without a transfer fee being agreed.