Surely the object is to neither sign your player to the very bare minimum you can get way with, nor the amount they may wish. A happy medium both are content with seems the case here. Those saying he might have had no offers and we could have got him for very little would have really happy employees if they ran a business. Low balling may get you the player, but not one that is happy to be in your organisation or who feels valued, conversely demanding more than you are worth would not make the employer happy with you. I don't see the issue with this deal?