Post by Len on Jan 31, 2007 12:28:11 GMT -5
Upson to West Ham
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Quote:
Blues reject Hammers' £6m Upson bid Jan 23 2007
By Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail
BLUES have rejected an improved offer worth £6million from West Ham United for Matthew Upson.
The snub again shows Blues' determination not to undermine their Championship promotion bid by selling one of their best and most influential players.
Last week they rejected a £4million offer from the Hammers for the centre-half.
All along, Blues have insisted it would take a 'top dollar' proposal to even tempt them, probably of £8million-plus.
Considering how inflated the transfer market is and knowing that West Ham manager Alan Curbishley has huge riches at his disposal, Blues' stubbornness is understandable.
There is no real need for them to grab the money, either, after raking in £12.2million from the sale of Emile Heskey and Jermaine Pennant in the summer, and another £1million guaranteed from David Dunn's exit.
However, Blues are realists and not naive enough to think they don't have to plan for a future without Upson, whether immediately should West Ham up the stakes, or in the close season.
That is why they have been lining up other centre-halves, notably Sheffield Wednesday's Madjid Bougherra.
The French-born Algerian international has been publicly offered to Blues for £3million by Owls chairman Dave Allen.
Manager Steve Bruce confirmed that an inquiry had been made.
"I spoke to their manager about 10 days ago about a couple of their players and he (Bougherra) was one mentioned," said Bruce. "We've known about him for a while now, he's very impressive. But that's as far as it has gone."
Bougherra, aged 24, signed for Sheffield from French side FC Gueugnon in the summer and has been a massive hit.
He first came to prominence during a loan spell at Crewe last season and Sheffield were quick to snaffle him up.
Allen is unashamedly trying to generate an auction for Bougherra because of the club's whopping £28million debt.
It was thought there was a buy-out clause in his contract, which Charlton tried to activate by bidding £1.3million.
But, clarifying the issue, Sheffield stated that it only gave them permission to talk to Bougherra. Reading are keen and Everton manager David Moyes has also run the rule over 6ft 2in tall Bougherra.
Powerful and athletic, no slouch and sound in the air, Bougherra likes to bring the ball out from the back and can on occasions over-play.
He is also prone to rashness but, on the whole, he has been among the Championship's best defenders this season.
Even though Blues thumped Sheffield 3-0 on their own patch in December, Bougherra stood out and impressed Bruce and his staff.
He certainly fits the criteria that Blues prefer their new recruits to meet. And first-team coach Eric Black will probably have already checked out his background with his French contacts.
Allen said that much would depend on what happens to Upson.
At the moment, Blues are comfortable in fending off West Ham and keeping their England cap.
Blues have strangely again been linked with £1.5million Sunderland striker Stephen Elliott, but there is absolutely nothing doing.
Bruce said he was entirely happy with the forwards assembled now that Rowan Vine was on board for £2.5million from Luton.
Possibly only if Mikael Forssell was shipped out would Bruce consider bolstering the ranks up front, but that is not going to happen during this window as Forssell is not expected to be fit until the end of next month.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote:
Blues reject Hammers' £6m Upson bid Jan 23 2007
By Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail
BLUES have rejected an improved offer worth £6million from West Ham United for Matthew Upson.
The snub again shows Blues' determination not to undermine their Championship promotion bid by selling one of their best and most influential players.
Last week they rejected a £4million offer from the Hammers for the centre-half.
All along, Blues have insisted it would take a 'top dollar' proposal to even tempt them, probably of £8million-plus.
Considering how inflated the transfer market is and knowing that West Ham manager Alan Curbishley has huge riches at his disposal, Blues' stubbornness is understandable.
There is no real need for them to grab the money, either, after raking in £12.2million from the sale of Emile Heskey and Jermaine Pennant in the summer, and another £1million guaranteed from David Dunn's exit.
However, Blues are realists and not naive enough to think they don't have to plan for a future without Upson, whether immediately should West Ham up the stakes, or in the close season.
That is why they have been lining up other centre-halves, notably Sheffield Wednesday's Madjid Bougherra.
The French-born Algerian international has been publicly offered to Blues for £3million by Owls chairman Dave Allen.
Manager Steve Bruce confirmed that an inquiry had been made.
"I spoke to their manager about 10 days ago about a couple of their players and he (Bougherra) was one mentioned," said Bruce. "We've known about him for a while now, he's very impressive. But that's as far as it has gone."
Bougherra, aged 24, signed for Sheffield from French side FC Gueugnon in the summer and has been a massive hit.
He first came to prominence during a loan spell at Crewe last season and Sheffield were quick to snaffle him up.
Allen is unashamedly trying to generate an auction for Bougherra because of the club's whopping £28million debt.
It was thought there was a buy-out clause in his contract, which Charlton tried to activate by bidding £1.3million.
But, clarifying the issue, Sheffield stated that it only gave them permission to talk to Bougherra. Reading are keen and Everton manager David Moyes has also run the rule over 6ft 2in tall Bougherra.
Powerful and athletic, no slouch and sound in the air, Bougherra likes to bring the ball out from the back and can on occasions over-play.
He is also prone to rashness but, on the whole, he has been among the Championship's best defenders this season.
Even though Blues thumped Sheffield 3-0 on their own patch in December, Bougherra stood out and impressed Bruce and his staff.
He certainly fits the criteria that Blues prefer their new recruits to meet. And first-team coach Eric Black will probably have already checked out his background with his French contacts.
Allen said that much would depend on what happens to Upson.
At the moment, Blues are comfortable in fending off West Ham and keeping their England cap.
Blues have strangely again been linked with £1.5million Sunderland striker Stephen Elliott, but there is absolutely nothing doing.
Bruce said he was entirely happy with the forwards assembled now that Rowan Vine was on board for £2.5million from Luton.
Possibly only if Mikael Forssell was shipped out would Bruce consider bolstering the ranks up front, but that is not going to happen during this window as Forssell is not expected to be fit until the end of next month.
