Vultures still eyeing us up

21 October 2001

Two approaches have been made over the last few days for Albion personnel. First came the expected one for Neil Clement from Blackburn Rovers - believed to be for around £4 million (!) - which was immediately turned down. Then, following the departure of Peter Shreeves from Sheffield Wednesday, came another expected one for manager Gary Megson - which was also turned down.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph carried the following story about the bid for Neil Clement:

BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is closing in on West Brom defender Neil Clement. I can exclusively reveal Souness has made an enquiry about the 23-year-old left back as he looks to beef up his defensive resources. But Albion boss Gary Megson has rebuffed Rovers' initial approach by insisting the former Chelsea man is not for sale.

"We have made an enquiry about Clement," said Souness today. "But at this moment in time West Brom don't want to sell him. He's someone we had targeted for a while because he's a young man with lots of promise and we felt he was one who could only get better. He's the right age because we're looking to build a back four which could stay together for a very long time. So he's one we would definitely like to buy but, after making an initial enquiry last week, West Brom have since come back and said they wouldn't even entertain an offer."

Souness has tried to sign a left-back for some time having failed in bids to land Birmingham's Martin Grainger and Liverpool's Djimi Traore. But, though he recently snapped up Nils-Eric Johansson from Nuremberg, he still wants more cover for Stig Bjornebye. Although Albion have knocked back his initial approach for Clement, they could still be persuaded to change their minds. The former Chelsea man recently turned down a new contract at Hawthorns. And they may ultimately decide to cash in now rather than run the risk of losing him on a free.

Widely regarded as one of the hottest young talents outside the Premiership, he was voted West Brom's player of the year last season after a string of impressive performances took Albion to the play-offs. And his manager, Megson, has since described him as the best executioner of a deadball in the First Division, together with Albion team-mate Michael Appleton.

What the writer doesn't seem to realise in his speculation is that Clement still has two and a half years to run on his current contract. The Club have offered him a substantial pay rise in order to recognise his achievements and importance to the team, but - not unreasonably - expected him to sign a one year extension in return - but Clement has so far been unwilling to do this. While we're in no hurry to get rid, an improved bid from Blackburn will boost our spending power to hitherto unknown levels in our bid to strengthen the squad - but at what price would we start to get interested...? Six? Eight?

Update: Today's Sun reports the offer as having been for only £2 million (which obviously is way short of anything we'd even consider accepting) and says that Blackburn are considering an increased offer.

The Club turned down the approach from Wednesday to talk to Megson, which the latter had only last week dismissed as pure speculation based on the fact that he used to play there. Wednesday now seem to have switched their attention to Norwich boss Nigel Worthington, who seems strangely keen to move from a high flyer to a struggler - and who can't have done his chances of landing the job any harm with their win over us on Friday night.

Previous Stories:

15 October 2001: Dichio deal dead, says agent

14 October 2001: Reid: No Discount for Danny

12 October 2001: Dobie is PFA Player of the Month

Vultures still eyeing us up

21 October 2001

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