I think our board agreed to let him go this summer when he signed the new contract last year. This is all about negotiating the maximum fee for the club now hence the little interviews from Wilf in the Daily Mail and Palace putting out the 'we don't want to sell, but it will take offers of...' kind of statements. The exit is being managed from both sides which I am fine with.
The Richarlison and Mahrez fees have to be the barometer for what we ask for (£50m and £60m respectively), people saying £30-35m are out of touch as clubs are being quoted close to those fees for some Championship players these days and Wilf is the best player outside the top 6, bar none. The top 6 are also setting the market by selling squad players high, was reading this morning that Liverpool want £20m each for Grujic and Wilson for example....to those advocating £35m, would you really value Zaha at Grujic + £15m? The Wilsons of this world are in the tier we buy from, so it stands to reason that if the top 6 sell high they are going to have to pay high as well.
I think £60-65m will get him in the end and it's going to be very hard for us to replace him. I anticipate three quality players will be needed which will still not be possible even with £50m net coming in, so we'll have to rely on the loan market as well.
Is he worth the £60-65m? Yes in my opinion, though of course I am biased.