Transfers - or not...

09 January 2003

With Premiership clubs now over a quarter of their way through the transfer window, Albion appear to be as far as ever from bringing in new players to try and hold onto their top flight status.

First, the bid for Macedonian International Artim Sakiri - the midfielder who scored that legendary goal from a corner against England - has collapsed after Albion and Sofia failed to agree a deal to bring him to England. Irritatingly, reports said that the player wanted to come here - but Albion would not offer Sofia the asking price. The Guardian quoted CSKA financial director Lazar Vasilev telling Bulgarian radio station Darik:

"The reason for the failure of the negotiations was last-minute demands by WBA for a much lower price for Sakiri, as well as suggestions only for a six-month loan for the player, as opposed to buying him"

Attention then seemed to shift to versatile 31 year old American Anthony Sanneh, currently with Nuremburg, who can play as centre half, right back or defensive midfielder - again starting as a loan deal with a view to a permanent move if Albion avoid relegation. Sanneh played well in the World Cup for the USA - and although the deal was agreed with Nuremburg, Sanneh himself turned it down over personal terms. PlanetFootball quoted him saying:

"I spoke to them and I told them what I wanted, but when it came to the offer in writing it was less than we had discussed so I rejected it"

Further rumours have linked us with Rotherham striker Alan Lee, who has scored 13 goals so far this season - as many as our entire strike force combined, albeit against Divison One teams. And press reports today have suggested that Spurs striker Les Ferdinand is on the verge of signing for us, with Michael Ricketts joining them from Bolton to replace him.

Previous Stories:

  06 January 2003:  FA Cup R4: Watford away

  05 January 2003:  Fulham game rearranged?

  20 December 2002:  Bradford Ticket Deadline

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