Roberts bid accepted - but no deal yet

25 July 2000

After a relatively quiet summer on the transfer front, action is beginning to heat up in a big way. Local news and the Bristol Rovers web site confirmed yesterday that they have accepted a bid of £2 million from Albion for striker Jason Roberts, but that he had yet to agree personal terms. Roberts has scored 48 goals for Rovers in the last two years following his move from Wolves - who, ironically, he joined after being turned down by Albion in favour of Brian Quailey. Wolves will receive a share of the fee from Rovers, although nobody seems to know just how much.

The signing of Roberts has fuelled speculation that Hughes may be on his way out, as the fee would seem to take such a large share of the money available that we would be unable to sign any of the others we are supposed to be bidding for. One of the targets has been established as Spurs winger Ruel Fox, with ex-Rangers midfielder Derek McInnes being another. Fox will certainly command a fee and high wages, which could suggest that the Board has found some extra money from somewhere, has done a deal over the Ugo sell-on clause, is expecting to receive money from the sale of Ugo or is planning to sell someone else. Given the age of Taylor, however, it's more likely that Hughes and Roberts will become the first choices up front with Bob available as sub, filling in for injuries and suspensions or maybe even the occasional 4-3-3 lineup.

However, the signing of Roberts took one step forward and one step back this morning. Megson said that personal terms had been agreed, but that another club is interested and that Roberts wants to consider his options before committing himself. The other club is believed to be Portsmouth, and Megson seemed very unhappy that news of the signing had been leaked before the deal was done (possibly by Rovers or Roberts in order to get a better bargaining position). No mention was made on the official club site, a policy in line with previous comments by Megson and Thompson about not wishing to name targets until the ink was dry. And no - we didn't say a word here either...

Previous Stories:

  24 July 2000:  Villa offer rejected

  24 July 2000:  Return visit to Swansea

  22 July 2000:  Ugo move beckons as fans hurl abuse

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