Carlisle United owner on player exits - and signings to come

It comes as Jack Armer closes in on a move to Burton Albion.

The defender is expected to join the League One club with United understood to have accepted a bid and Armer having expressed his wish to pursue the opportunity.

Manager Paul Simpson had already said any such move would have to suit all parties – and Piatak said this was the case “significantly” more than ever before at Brunton Park.

“We are not pressed to do deals, and we will do deals on Carlisle's terms, and that definitely is a change,” the American businessman told the News & Star today.

“We will not do deals unless they are on our terms right now.”

While much of the focus this summer has been on new signings at United under their increased budget – Piatak said more new faces should be on the way soon – the exit door is also opening at Brunton Park.

Both Armer and midfielder Alfie McCalmont are poised to leave but Piatak said this would only happen in the context of ensuring United’s squad was as strong as possible.

Asked about Armer’s likely exit - United have not commented on the Burton link - Piatak said: “Jack is a tremendous player, and if an opportunity is presented there, it has to be right for the player, it has to be right for the acquiring club, and for Carlisle to let him go.

“I don't think it makes the decision any easier. At the end of the day, you need to feel a squad that you feel is going to be as competitive as can be to win the league, and that's what we're trying to do.

Paul Simpson has said any deal for Jack Armer's exit would have to suit all parties (Image: Ben Holmes)

“Sometimes the differences between player A and player B can be so minute, but it can be the difference.

“From a process standpoint, I'm not exactly sure how it was happening before, but I would think to us it's always that we want to field the best squad that we can, and that's what we're always focused on during the close season and even the January window, and that's how it will be going forward.

“Again, there are some very, very solid players, very talented players, and just as the opportunities present themselves, you have to evaluate them in isolation, and with the current squad, [we ask] what do we have, what do we need, what do we think we can do, and if this was to happen, make that decision then, and then move on.

“I don't think it makes it easier, but the goal should be the same. I need the best squad out there and the best backups to make sure that we can win, and that should be our guiding principle at every level of the organisation.”

Simpson has said that he will not sign a replacement for Armer, declaring himself satisfied with the options in the left wing-back position, led by summer signing Cameron Harper, and with the likes of Jack Robinson, Taylor Charters and Aran Fitzpatrick also in the squad.

Piatak added that he was pleased with the recruitment United have done so far this summer – bringing in Harper, Aaron Hayden, Jude Smith, Terell Thomas, Ethan Robson and Charlie Wyke – and there would be more to come.

“What we've done over the closed season here, I think, has been very, very significant,” the Blues owner and chairman said.

“We have a solid budget, and I mentioned that we will have a budget to acquire, probably, talent that we haven't had in the past as Carlisle, and we've gone ahead and done that.

“I think the team that we're assembling is a powerful squad. We still have one or two pieces left of that that I'm hoping that we'll have done this week.”