ToffeeScot
Player Valuation: £8m
I don't think the club will allow themselves to intentionally breach again. It would dictate a point deduction - with one already potentially hanging next season from a deferral last season.
A breach dictates point deduction - and mitigation is pissed away when it's repeat, and when the club will have to admit they declined the chance to comply with the rules that they agreed to.
"But he was worth more" won't be accepted, as it wasn't accepted when we gave that reason for declining PSVs bid for Branthwaite. It'll be seen as reckless risk. A gamble.
I've no doubt they're desperately trying to line up sales behind the scenes of Onana etc prior this months deadline. If they can't sell him, or Calvert-Lewin, or others (academy players?) to meet the shortfall - it stands to reason to me that they'll sell Branthwaite for whatever they can get.
I agree that they won't want to breach again. I suppose I'm putting some faith in the club here in that they've been transparent with us about the situation and that Branthwaite won't be sold cheaply. If he is then they'll have fallen at the first hurdle again regarding trying to get some good faith with the fans again.