The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Mc Innes’s joy as Cosgrove decides to stay.
Dons boss McInnes thrilled striker decided to stay at the club
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes is pleased Sam Cosgrove has decided to remain at Pittodrie for now. French side Guingamp had a bid of more than £2 milllion accepted for the Englishman, who Aberdeen signed from Carlisle United for £20,000 in January 2018.
Middlesbrough and Stoke City have been among a number of English clubs who have been monitoring the forward’s progress.
But it was the Ligue 2 side
Guingamp who made their move last week but they were unable to persuade Cosgrove to move to France.
McInnes said: “We didn’t think the clubs were going to agree a fee but obviously that changed.
“It was a strong bid and offer for Sam. When the clubs agreed a fee it was over to Sam to decide what he wanted to do.
“It was maybe a bit of a shock to some that he wanted to stay but he obviously has a career path for himself and he didn’t see going to France as the right step for him.
“For his own reasons he decided to stay as is his right.
“The club accepted a strong offer and Sam declined the opportunity to go over to France. “He is now back training. “He will start in the XI v XI match tomorrow. He only played the last 15 minutes at the weekend (against Ross County).
“He has a bit of work to do to be ready for the first game of the season.
“He is probably in the same bracket as Niall McGinn and Matty Kennedy with where they are. Hopefully all three can be influential for us this season.
“We want to hold on to our best players for as long as possible.
“Every player has his price and the price was met but Sam decided he wanted to stay where he is for now.
“From my point of view, I’m delighted he saw it that way and we continue to work with him and look for those improvements in him.”
McInnes sampled French football during his playing career with a brief spell at Toulouse before he joined West Bromwich Albion in 2000.
He added: “I don’t think anybody wants to see their top scorer leave the building, supporters alike.
“It moved pretty quickly in terms of Sam having a decision to make and maybe that played a part in his decision.
“He maybe didn’t think the clubs would agree a fee but it was a strong offer.
“It is a league and club I know having played over there. Sam has a different view for where he wants to see his career going. He wants to stay here with us for now.
“Maybe in time there will be a club that comes in and Sam does fancy it. While he is here we will enjoy him.
“He has been a key player for us over the last 18 months or so and this season we want him to be that key player for us again.”