Ugo on the way at last?

18 October 2000

Developments seem to be taking shape nicely for Albion in our regular story about former Baggie Ugo Ehiogu. The story so far: Ugo told everyone that he wanted to leave Villa, except of course for Villa - that would constitute a request for a transfer and lose him a big chunk of the fee. Villa had to give Albion 50% of the fee anyway, as punishment imposed by the FA for poaching him nine years ago, so they weren't interested in selling him unless Albion renegotitated their cut. Villa turned down offers of six or seven million for him, but realised they could probably get more - and reopened talks with Albion over a reduced fee and came to an agreement. Ugo then changed his mind and said he'd rather stay and fight for his place and it all went quiet. Then Middlesbrough came back with an offer reckoned to be around 9 million and Villa had another think about it all, and it looked like something would happen - until this unfortunate business about European rulings on transfer fees reared it's head and Ugo said he didn't want to move until it was sorted out because there was a chance he might get more in his pocket if the system was abolished.

Now it seems 'Boro - desperate for defensive players and with money burning holes in Robson's pockets - have come to some sort of agreement with Ugo to compensate him if the system changes and he ends up worse off, so it looks like the move is on again - and local radio station Capital Gold Birmingham reports that he is having a medical today with Boro and will complete the move this week if all goes well.

The only matter of interest to Albion in all this, of course, is how much we'll get from the deal. Originally we were said to have settled for just over a million plus ten percent of the fee, but this seems to be in some doubt as reports suggest we could end up with three million from a nine million pound sale. Either way, it's nice extra income for team bulding - which is a little easier now we're in the top six and looking good...

Previous Stories:

  16 October 2000:  Wolves Match Now All-Ticket

  29 September 2000:  Owls game moved (a bit) for Sky

  22 September 2000:  Wolves manager sacked!

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