STAGS' 'want-away' defender Alex John-Baptiste is being offered for sale 'on the cheap' ahead of an expected sale of Mansfield Town FC this week.
A leaked e-mail to Chad suggests that the club would accept just £75,000 for the 22-year-old providing that the offer is made before owner Keith Haslam sells the club.
- Bap aims for Championship after transfer request
The e-mail, apparently sent by Baptiste's FA-licensed agent Alex Cowdy, was sent to managers throughout the country on Tuesday, alerting them to John-Baptiste's availability at such a reduced price.
It read: "Dear Manager, Mansfield Town have indicated they are looking for a fee of around £75,000 for defender Alex Baptiste. This is due to the fact that a takeover of the club is likely to happen by tomorrow, and the owner would like to push through a deal for Alex before then.
"This fee is a huge reduction on what the club have been looking for in recent years and indeed what they have been offered in the past for Alex by Championship clubs. Obviously when the new ownership comes in there is no guarantee the fee will be as low as this.
"If you are interested in Alex, I would recommend lodging a bid with Keith Haslam today in order to get the player 'on the cheap'. "
When contacted by the Guardian, Cowdy did not deny sending the email.
Keith Haslam told guardian.co.uk that he knew nothing of the email, adding: "none of it is factual", and said that the club fix players' transfer values only once they know who is interested. "And if he feels a takeover is taking place in the next day or so," said Haslam, "he doesn't have a clue."
John-Baptiste - who rejected the chance to leave Field Mill last summer and signed a three-year deal - had a transfer request 'reluctantly accepted' last week following the Stags' relegation to the Blue Square Premier. He is one of just a handful of players still under contract at the end of the season.
Manager Paul Holland told Chad on Monday that he was still waiting to hear if he would be appointed for next season - and when he could announce his retained list - because a decision was likely on the proposed takeover of the club.
Yesterday Chad reported that Haslam had been seen in takeover discussions with former York owner John Batchelor, while twice last week chief executive Stephen Booth said that he hoped for a quick sale decision.
He said on Friday that during a meeting that morning 'a proposal for the buyout of the club was put forward and was well received'. Chad understands this offer came from a local businessman.
