Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell says there’s nothing in rumours of Louis Moult’s potential return to Fir Park, and says any summer transfer moves may depend on ‘external sources’.
Moult was quoted as saying he has unfinished business at Fir Park and suggested there could be the possibility of a move back to Lanarkshire, but stressed that ‘wanting’ something to happen wouldn’t necessarily make it so.
But Kettlewell says there’s nothing in it, and that he could be ‘hamstrung’ in any potential transfer business until he knows what cash is available.
As he has said repeatedly, that could come down to Motherwell securing seventh place in the Premiership, which will come down to results against Livingston tonight (Wednesday) and Dundee United on Sunday.
Moult, who cut short a season-long loan in January due to injury, has subsequently been released by Burton Albion.
But Kettlewell said: “I’ve seen the article. I don’t really know Louis too well.
“I had only a couple of weeks here with him, he was obviously carrying an injury.
“He’s a guy that has got an amazing record and is loved by the supporters here, but I don’t think Louis was saying there was anything happening.
“It was about his relationship with the football club, his past, and obviously there was a frustration that he wasn’t able to offer too much, in terms of being o the park with the injury he was carrying.
“I don’t think there is anything in the story to read too much between the lines.”
With 27 goals, Kevin van Veen is likely to be the subject of transfer interest, while Jon Obika, Jack Aitchison and Mikael Mandron’s contracts are up in the summer, though Connor Shields has a year left on his deal after returning from a loan spell at Championship club Queen’s Park.
Kettlewell said: “Obviously we find ourselves in a position where I am happy with the squad, but I think everybody knows that there might be obvious changes there, with guys who are out of contract and other people being interested in our players.
“It becomes my job to make sure Motherwell have the strongest group of players, with the finance you have.
“I’m sorry to keep going on about money, but it does come down to a situation where you can be hamstrung by what you have to put out there, and contracts that are already on offer, and the guys that are already under contract.
“I have touched on it that at this stage it is kind of maxed out for this season.
“So how that transpires over the next couple of weeks is probably going to be down to decisions from players, decisions maybe of other football clubs, whether they are offering money for our players.
“That’s not to say Motherwell will accept that, but those are the types of situations that will change the personnel that we have at our football club.”
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