Randall will not be leaving Grecians
EXETER City manager Matt Taylor has dismissed speculation linking star winger Joel Randall with a move away from St James Park, writes Stuart James.
The 21-year-old has made an impressive start to his football career, scoring eight goals already this season, in what is his breakthrough campaign in the game. That has led to speculation that Scottish giants Celtic and Championship promotion hopefuls Swansea City are poised to pounce for the Grecians Academy product.
However, Taylor says he is unaware of any interest and also denied that the gifted winger is out of contract in the summer.
“He’s not out of contract at the end of the season, so I can tell you that with all honesty,” Taylor said. “We have had nothing from those clubs and I am not sure where those stories have come from, whether it is agent talk, or clubs releasing bits and pieces.
“I’d be surprised if he is not on a lot of big club’s lists, in terms of recruitment, but I think this window especially will be slightly different to other ones in relation to where the pandemic has put the football world and less money being around.
“For any young player that is in demand, I think he should be top of that list. But we have had no contact from the two clubs mentioned as yet and I was as surprised as anyone when I saw a big club like Celtic in the headlines and then we have got previous history with Swansea and Matt Grimes.
“My phone is always on, Taggy’s phone is always on and our emails are always open and we are always open to bids for our players, but we have a valuation for Joel that we certainly want to get towards.”
Randell is sure to leave St James Park at some point but, once again, he has benefited from a programme put in place by City that has allowed him to develop all aspects of his game.
Having spent time at nonLeague clubs, he came to prominence last season, playing for the Under-23 side, but since being given his full league debut – and scoring - at Salford on the opening day of this season, he has never looked back.
“Joel has played 18 (league) games and as well as he has played in those games, we want him to move on when he has played 50, 60 possibly 100 games because he will be a better player for when he moves at that time.
“It’s exciting times for young players at our club. It’s exciting times for Joel Randall because they are going to be in demand, but they all have a price and a valuation, but they also have a job to do and Joel’s job first and foremost is to win games of football for Exeter City.”