Freedman: Tribunal fee for Southampton-bound Clyne will show future for Football League academies

Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman believes the future of Football League clubs having academies rests on what the tribunal decide Southampton should pay for Nathaniel Clyne.

The Saints signed the young full back last week but were unable to agree a fee with the Eagles and the south Londoners, naturally, want a fair price for the 21-year-old, who made 122 appearances in his time at Selhurst Park.

“His contract ran out,” Freedman said. “Clyney was offered a contract that would have made him the highest earner here.

“He refused it which is his prerogative. We’ve had him from a very young age and we’ve grown him. I think he’ll go on to play for England.

“We can be very proud of what we’ve done. The rules are the rules and we need to abide by them.

“If you can’t agree a fee for a player under 23, you go to a tribunal.”

Freedman believes the fact that Clyne has made 139 first team appearances should make a difference in the fee.

“The last time I looked at the situation fees get set on players you never really see,” the Eagles boss explained.

“We’re proud of what we’ve done. We offered him a contract to make him the highest ever player from our academy.

“If a Premier League club offer him big money, that’s fine but we need to be compensated appropriately.

“If we’re not then the whole of the Football League will look into whether their academies are worthwhile.”