Swindon Town have knocked back a fresh approach for star striker Harry Smith from a club in Denmark’s second tier.
The offer, believed to be lower than previous bids from League One side Cambridge United, was labelled “pathetic” by head coach Ian Holloway.
Danish approach dismissed as Holloway stands firm on Smith
Swindon Town have rejected a €100,000 (£86,000) bid from a club in the Betinia Liga, Denmark’s second division, for their leading striker Harry Smith. The offer, which emerged on social media ahead of the club’s Carabao Cup clash with Cardiff City, fell below two previous proposals from Cambridge United and was swiftly dismissed by those at the County Ground.
Ian Holloway did not hold back when addressing the bid.
“It was pathetic from some Danish club, I didn’t even think that it was worth mentioning, to be honest,” he told the Swindon Advertiser. “It was less than the last one, so it was an absolute waste of time. They have wasted their text, and it was just a complete waste of everyone’s time. He is not for sale.”
Smith scored 16 goals in all competitions last season following a summer move from Sutton United and has quickly become a key figure in Holloway’s side. That form prompted Cambridge to make two separate offers during July, understood to be around £100,000 and £150,000 respectively with add-ons. Both were rebuffed.
While Swindon’s stance remains firm, Smith’s long-term future is less certain. He is now in the final year of his contract, and although talks took place over a new deal at the end of last season, no agreement was reached. Holloway has since made it clear that any contract extension will only be discussed if the striker proves he can match last season’s impact.
In comments made earlier in the summer, Holloway explained his position.
“He has got to earn the right to get us up and earn the right to get a longer deal. If he wanted more than what we were going to give him, then that is up to him… Do I want him fat and full, sat here on a three-year contract? No. That is not life; you don’t win anything if people are like that, they have got to earn it.”
Writer’s View
Swindon Town’s refusal to entertain even mildly tempting bids for Harry Smith underlines just how vital the striker has become to Ian Holloway’s project. The club’s decision to shut down a lowball approach from Denmark is no surprise, especially with Holloway publicly reinforcing his no-sale stance all summer. What’s more intriguing is the ongoing contract standoff.
Smith’s status as an indispensable asset comes with the irony that he remains uncommitted beyond the current season. Holloway’s tough-love approach is high risk, but if Smith delivers another prolific campaign, Swindon may yet face a greater challenge in keeping him — and perhaps not on their terms.
