For example, if you guys rate Thorniley at say 400k and are offering let's say 500k plus Thorniley so a total transfer of 900k.
The fact that Thorniley can only play for us or you again this season, means we have the upper hand for negotiating the Thorniley worth to the deal.
If you value him too highly within the deal i.e. not offering enough for CB, then we simply keep saying no and he stays with you for the rest of the season and CB stays with us. You can't say/threaten that there is interest for Thorniley from elsewhere to pressure us in to doing a deal for him, because he can't sign elsewhere for this season.
So the options remain to up a cash only deal for CB, reduce the value of Thorniley in a deal whilst increasing the cash, offer someone else and cash or pull the plug.