Rumour mill: City eye Thomert move

August 04, 2005

BLUES boss Stuart Pearce is pondering a bid for Lens midfielder Olivier Thomert, according to a report.

The 25-year-old, who was the subject of a failed bid by Charlton in January, has experssed a desire to move to the Premiership.

And, according to Sky Sports, Lens are bracing themselves for a fresh bid for the player from City, with the Blues favourite to land the midfielder.

Thomert, valued at around £5m, is a former teammate of Antoine Sibierski from their days together in France, which would attract him to Eastlands.

Pearce still retains a strong interest in Steed Malbranque despite Fulham knocking back an initial £4m bid. He is expected to make another offer for the Craven Cottage star but Thomert would add another option for improving City's midfield.

Who would you go for? Have your say.

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Eric Jonker, Zoetermeer, NL (04/08/2005 at 12:19)

Both being about the same age and (yet) in the same pricelevel, I think Malbranque will win it as he's known with the PL, knows the languague and probably is addapted to English life. If Fulham won't sell I guess Thomert is a very good alternative and maybe in the end a cheaper alternative to Malbranque. Both to me seems very good and interesting assets to the team. Hope SP will get one of them and who knows, maybe we're in for another surpprise signing before the transferwindow shuts. Although with one of these in the squad, the oones already signed, the players back from longterm injuries and some youngsters who are on the brink, the number of squadmembers and options to SP are more than adequate.

Blue Tiger, Virginia (04/08/2005 at 12:27)

Malbranque first choice, only if deal fails go for Thomert.
Now Fulham know they can only say no to so much money or MCFC move on.

CurleFOREVER!, Burnage (04/08/2005 at 12:45)

I agree withe the tiger, Malbranque's our man. He is massive!

Rob, South Stand Blue (04/08/2005 at 13:02)

Malbranque all the way. tried and Tested, Proven Premiership Class Player worth paying the extra Fulham want, no doubt about it.

Ollie, Guernsey (04/08/2005 at 13:08)

Malbranque all the way...go to B#5m and we'll get him. If we can't then this chap would fit SP's and the fans criteria/ expectations.

Neil Allen, Gibraltar (04/08/2005 at 13:11)

I would go for someone who I have heard of for the same money as opposed to an untried and untested player who you never know might prove worthwhile but may also turn out to be an expensive flop and we have had too many of them of late.

I would love to see City snap up both Steed Marlbrnaque and also with whatever cash is left Andy van der Meyde from Inter who turned down a B#1.5m bid from Everton the other day, I am sure they would be willing to let go, but for a decent price.

I am sure them two would also improve our midfield an awful lot.

chris, davyhulme (04/08/2005 at 13:14)

have em both, send sibierski to lens.

Mat, Bredbury (04/08/2005 at 13:19)

Malbranque all the way...he has the experience in the Premier League,having said that, its great for CIty being linked with 2 quality midfielders in the same day...sort of a 2 finger salute to those of little faith. Tell you what Stu, what the hell...buy them BOTH and sod the money!! Either of these 2 could do the job for City. I've not been this excited about a transfer rumour since Anelka was first mentioned....now let me think,who was that kid wev'e just sold to Chelsea,nope,can't quite remember his name!

wythenshawe blue, manchseter obviously (04/08/2005 at 14:09)

go on stu get da ball rollin,get the pair of em
new look city can only mean better especially with all the youngsters at least 5 really good ones,a few creative midfielders at a good age, finish 5th.

david power, Atherton (04/08/2005 at 14:23)

If as the papers are saying we can snatch the avenger from the cottagers for 5mil with 5yrs experiance of prem football why waste a similar amount on an unproven player in terms of prem' football.
City have on to many occasions bought the untried player more in desparation & hope. We need to spend the money wisely, so go get him SP, and whilst the pen and the cheque book are handy Brown or Graveson to add that touch of steel to the midas of Steed

TRUE BLUE, MIDDLESBROUGH (04/08/2005 at 15:26)

If we cant get Malbranque we should go all out for Castelan he riped England to shreds and in particular made Ashley Cole look like crash test dummy never heard of thomert,has anyone else?

VH LOK, Singapore (04/08/2005 at 15:32)

Hands down on Malbranque..he is tried and tested at EPL...next a STRIKER please... Freddie Kanoute...that should push our very limited forward line abit, I believe all all injury prone with 2 of them at theit twilight of their careers

Steve, London (04/08/2005 at 16:09)

Fantastic move from Stu to go for Malbranque but who is this Thomert character? He sounds as though he could do a job but I wouldn't gamble 5m on him. Maybe a season's loan with an option to buy but the first choice has to be Malbranque. May as well get the pair of them if we can get Thomert on a free and play one wide. Just Huth on loan as cover and I'll be happy. Would have liked an exciting striker but I'm happy with what we've got now as SP's obviously got his eye on one or more of BWP, Bermingham or Miller coming good to play with Vassel in a year or two.

Wayne Lomas, Whitefield (04/08/2005 at 16:20)

Hopefully this is just to persuade Fulham that we have another option and they shouldn't get too greedy.

Malbranque is the man.

Then a striker....

Nicky S, Burnage (04/08/2005 at 16:32)

Look Singapore and Lomas. We don't need any forwards. We've already got the Goal King Robbie, the international Vassell as well as the up and coming BWP. I know we've got the has been as well who needs five chances before scoring one but as long as we keep that red out of the team then we'll be fine. But maybe if we did nbuy another striker then that would push not so handy Andy down the pecking order. Anything to keep a red like him out of the team

ted knott, droylsden (04/08/2005 at 16:33)

If SP does not capture a proven quality midfielder who can provide the strikers we are in big trouble, Malbranque is the one for me but would prerfer Essien but we all know he wouldn't come to City thats how far we have slipped now unable to compete with for the BEST. Thomert is an option but that could turn out to be a panic buy and it wont work,I may be wrong but going on past experiences its in the script.If Sp fails to strengthen the midfield it will raise the question of can he hack it in transfer dealing? I'm not sure mainly because of his inexperience and in a few months times we could all be thinking Wardle & Co should have brought in a manager/coach with proven pedigree time will tell but if Stuart does come through what I think is a trying time for him he will turn out to be the right choice its just that at this moment of time a lot of players are being allegedly approached by City but nothing becomes of it and quite frankly time is running out.

Bluecat, Whalley Range (04/08/2005 at 17:09)

Both have the sort of qualities that could really lift the team and as they're both 25 years old there's not much to seperate them. However I think that Malbranque would be first choice as he has 4 years Premeirship experience and the fact he played with Andy Cole last season does no harm either. Still, with a couple of French players already in the squad it probably wouldn't take Thomert too long to settle. So either way, its all good. See everybody on Saturday. ctid

Bob, Eg. Moston, Manchester (04/08/2005 at 19:03)

Well if he's anywhere near as good as Sibs he'll do for me!

Blue Peter Badge, Lymm (04/08/2005 at 20:19)

Malbranque is a quality player who i've admired over the years. He's got the flair we need in midfield, go to 5.5m and tell Fulhan its a final offer, we don't want getting screwed just because we've money to burn. ( Bearing in mind one of the chuckle brothers has gone for 3m and he's garbage !! )

Owen, Manchester (04/08/2005 at 20:55)

Get Malbranque. Top class player and the sort of player we need. There maybe life after SWP if we can get him. Next should be Castelan. A Dutch SWP in the making and would link up well with Malbranque. He teared A cole apart in the game against England and would supply goals for Cole and Vassell.

Kyle, Lochalph (04/08/2005 at 21:33)

Somehow I never get past you comments without getting annoyed Ted (Knott of Droysden). Gibe Psycho a break will you? How do these 'proven' managers you talk about become 'proven' and available? In my experience (and I've been sacked as a manager) its by being sacked as a manager!!!!!!!!!!!
Doh!l

Mr Wiskas, not in france (05/08/2005 at 00:47)

Stop looking at garbage from the french league

Rich Hallsworth, Toronto Blue, Canada (05/08/2005 at 07:35)

City would be set for a thriller, if we can get him signed. SM is just the player we've been missing. He'd be a great pairing with our bruiser joey. The fact he knows coles game is also a plus. Give SP a chance you lot, our youngsters are gonna turn alot of heads this season.....MARK MY WORDS ! !

GB, HG (05/08/2005 at 08:17)

DOES ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS GUY??? ALL I KNOW IS THAT HE IS LEFT FOOTED!!

Glyn, Madrid (05/08/2005 at 08:49)

Graveson, Graveson, Graveson - Get Him, Get Him, Get Him - An absolute snip at 2Million - hes gonna be sold soon, Los Galacticos have got to offload players - him and Steed should be enuff....

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