12m would be an absolute joke, considering we got 12.5m for Spence (plus addons) who wasn't even good enough to be in our squad, and who most of us think Jones is better than, and who plays in a position which most clubs don't even use as a formation, not to mention how many decent RWB/RB's there are kicking about. Then lets not forget that Tav was out highest rated player since Wilder came in, over the course of his games.
Every team needs CM's, and there doesn't seem to be many good young ones around in centre mid, box to box, like what Tav does, 12m makes no sense for two years left on his contract. How are we meant to attract a replacement who can plug that hole?
The only way I could understand it, is if we had a release clause (which would have been daft to insert), or an agreement with Tav, based on his last contract and as well as us already having two replacements in the bag (and I'm not counting McGree as one of those replacements).
Our midfield would be left with Crooks (who is good) but also the most booked player in the league (and hence missed a load of games), a guy who barely played last year (I think he'll come good mind) and Howson who's obviously getting on a bit. It's difficult to imagine those three being available or capable to play 46 games.