Transfer turmoil

21 January 2003

With ten days left before the transfer windows slams shut, Albion's efforts to bring in further players seem to be crumbling. Roberto Rios has decided against joining us - albeit for highly honest and professional reasons - and will be retiring from the game.

"I know I need a month to get into the physical shape I need to be able to play well and there wouldn't be much time left in the season by the time I was fully fit. I am doing this with a completely clear conscience."

Hats off to the man, but it moves us no closer to survival. Perhaps our training schedule looked a little demanding for his liking? Tottenham's Tim Sherwood looks set to join Portsmouth, with just a few loose ends to tie up at the home end, although his agent Eric Hall is doing exactly what agents do and suggesting the door is still open for other clubs to come in and make better offers for his services. Sherwood's services, that is - we had enough of Hall during his time looking after Paul Peschisolido's interests.

The deal for Macedonian midfielder Artim Sakiri seems to have collapsed, as does that for striker Salva Ballesta, which would have been helped by the signing of his friend Rios. Even Les Ferdinand, rumoured to have been a possible Albion target, has been ruled out by joining relegation rivals West Ham.

The club are said to be preparing a statement for supporters as we write. Look out for a few old warhorses to join the fight...

Previous Stories:

  19 January 2003:  Off the bottom!

  19 January 2003:  Hughesie - sorted?

  12 January 2003:  Transfer progress

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