City up Malbranque offer

August 05, 2005

MALBRANQUE: New offer

MANCHESTER City have lodged an increased bid for Fulham midfielder Steed Malbranque.

The Blues have already had one £4million offer for Malbranque turned down by the Cottagers this week but manager Stuart Pearce is confident the renewed approach, believed to be around £5million, will be accepted.

"We have tabled a substantial offer and we are waiting for an answer," said Pearce.

"If I was Fulham, it is a bid I would accept but clearly the ball is in their court.

"I would like to see Steed come and join us but I don't anticipate we will go any higher after this one."

Fulham boss Chris Coleman has vowed to keep hold of the 25-year-old, who has spent four seasons with the London outfit since his £5million arrival from Lyon.

A neat, passing midfielder with an eye for goal, he is exactly what they have lacked since the retirement of Ali Benarbia and the departure of Eyal Berkovic following his row with former manager Kevin Keegan.

Although Robbie Fowler has taken on some of the creative responsibilities, he is now injured and with Wright-Phillips and Nicolas Anelka both seeking alternative employment since last January, Pearce knows he needs someone to supply the chances for Cole, Vassell and Bradley Wright-Phillips to convert.

How much should City pay to land Malbranque? Have your say.

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Reidus, Sheffield (05/08/2005 at 10:26)

I would go as far as 6m. THis is the going rate for established 25 year old plymakers at a club who want to keep him. It would still leave us about 1.5m to maybe bring in another face (possibly a young foreign playmaker).

Chris Coleman, Fulham (05/08/2005 at 10:33)

B#25 Million.

Blue Tiger, Virginia (05/08/2005 at 10:33)

Shhh Redius if Fulham knew that they would hold out again.
5 million is a fair deal for both clubs.
Now sign so he can be introduced on Sat.
Come on CITY !

Rob, South Stand Blue (05/08/2005 at 10:36)

I'm loving the quote in the piece from SP... "if i was Fulham, i'd accept the bid..." Sound like a cross between one of the Kray twins and Don Corleone, the man is a living legend!!!! CTID!!

Rich Hallsworth, Toronto Blue, Canada (05/08/2005 at 10:36)

I would really like nothing more then to sign SM, but anything over 6 million for a player with one year left on his contract is a bit much. He is important to the team and the fans so it maybe more difficult to acquire his services then first anticipated. If it's true Dunnie will be back in 4 weeks instead of 12 I would be ecstatic, but this signing would be just as pleasing. You're the man Stu...lets stuff those dodgy greeks on saturday.

brixtonblue, london (05/08/2005 at 10:40)

I think City are doing exactly the right thing. The transfer market is very depressed and City are one of the few clubs with cash to spend - we mustn't let ourselves be held to ransom. Good though he is, if we can't get Malbranque for B#5m, we should look elsewhere.

Incidentally, am I alone in detesting the term 'playmaker'?

Don Kelly, Denton Manchester (05/08/2005 at 10:42)

This deal is dead in the water
as the player won't come to City.Time to get 2 more strikers in and a wide mid-field trickster with pace. If we don't we will lose B#10 mill at the gate and in prize money.

BoltonBlue, East Stand (05/08/2005 at 10:42)

I think B#5m is enough, if they don't take it, move on to the next target!!

Too many times have City ended up paying over the odds for a player and SP is doing things right!!

Blues Clues, Failsworth (05/08/2005 at 10:46)

The whole deal is dependent on the circumstance of both the player and Fulham. (Ed, can you shed any light on his contractual situation...how long has he get left on his deal?) Should he be into the final 18 months of his contract we might be able to force Fulham's hand somewhere around the B#5.5/B#6m mark. If he is under a long term deal and Fulham have no need to sell for financial reasons this is going to be a difficult one! As SP said, we will not be held to ranson so if a max of B#6m is not accepted we should pursue alternatives.

Note from Feedback Ed - We'll have a look BC and see what we can find out.

Ken Lewis, Bury Lancs (05/08/2005 at 10:50)

If the board think they can get away without spending at least another B#9 mill befor the the transfer deadline they better think again.
None season card holder will stay away in big numbers,the squad as it is will strugle to stay up!

Droylsden Blue, Droylsden, Manchester (05/08/2005 at 10:56)

I think we should do whatever it takes to land this player because he is proven in the premiership. He scores and creates goals and with Vassell and Cole firing on all cylinders we can become a consistant top 6 side.

B#7 million would be the final straw though.

Harry H, SK (05/08/2005 at 10:58)

Hopefully this bid will be accepted,not sure how Fulham will take the'If I was Fulham,I,d accept the bid'comment,could be deemed slightly belittling ?

dylan, chelmsford (05/08/2005 at 10:58)

Before todays increased offer I heard Fulham wolud be prepared to sell for 5.5 million.

Its looking good, very good what a difference to see sp taking time to pick and choose the right players for the right money. As much as I liked KK he was like a kid in sweet shop he bought some great players like le sulk but wasted so much cash on untried players!!
I have felt frustrated by Wardles reluctance to spend before swp sale to chelsea, but there is life after swp.
I will be curious to see mcfc debt level for the 2004/2005 period. Would i be wrong in thinking the debt could be down to below 40million following this summers clearout plus increased turnover with our increased bonus from the premiership and corporate turnover? Could Wardle be a genius? Only time will tell i guess!!

Dan (05/08/2005 at 11:01)

The player isn't keen on coming North - this looks doomed! Onto the next

Rob, South Stand Blue (05/08/2005 at 11:01)

Little piece of news i've just read. Moyes wants to sign Dickson Etuhu from Preston... Am i right in thinking that we have a sell on clause in his contract, could be set for a nice little windfall!

citymatt, french foreign legion (05/08/2005 at 11:02)

based on reports detailing jenas' exit from newcastle, fulham have made a u-turn on a decision to sell boa morte to the magpies, insisting that they will release only one more player - steed malbranque to manchester city. c'mon blues. cole and vassell upfront with malbranque in the hole behind, joey and sun breaking up the opposition, cheeky cutting in from the left, sinclair on the bench..tasty.

adam, burnage manchester (05/08/2005 at 11:02)

i think it would great 2 hav steed in our team becos he would be great 4 andy cole as they new each other from fulham and he would be an ideal replacement for swp

Alphski Vegas, Wales (05/08/2005 at 11:06)

I'd pay B#7 million tops, but then again, we'd be top of the league if I was manager.....

Mogadon, Manchester (05/08/2005 at 11:06)

Brixton Blue - no you're not. It's a term used for anyone who doesn't kick people & can pass a ball forward accurately - if you're earning what these guys earn they should all be 'playmakers'. That said, Malbranque is a damn sight more of one than Sibierski.

Dave A, Kent (05/08/2005 at 11:06)

This Steed is a thoroughbred so you can understand why Coleman doesn't want him to gallop off - but B#5m is enough

steve, plymouth (05/08/2005 at 11:18)

don kelly, ken lewis, you both are really top class positve supporters. Well done boys keep backing the blues the only way you know how.... by moaning, wingeing and basically being destructive to any positive moves this club is trying to make.... now why dony you get off this website and go and watch your dvd collection of one foot in the grave.

Nicky S, Burnage (05/08/2005 at 11:20)

Yes, the kid's not bad but I wouldn't pay over 5 million for him. I think the player should have expressed his desire to come to our club by now. When a club of our size comes looking then you should be busting a gut to try and sign for us, especially when you play for Fulham!. That dirty red has been didn't waste any time getting away. 5 million is a fair price, he'll create some goals for robbie, darius and BWP. Any more, no, cos a big club like us shouldn't be hanging around players like Malbranque for too long. He's hardly Colin Bell is he?

Valski Vegas, Ireland (05/08/2005 at 11:23)

Steed is a class act, no doubt. We should pull out all the stops to get him,

disco dick, dundee (05/08/2005 at 11:25)

There was speculation on the Fulham b b c board yesterday of a clause in his contract that he could move on for 5-5.5m.

When does the champions league window close...as that would be a few competitors for his signature out of the way?

Mike Mc, Mossley (05/08/2005 at 11:29)

This would be a fantastic Possitive signing! I feel SM would bring something back to our club that we've been missing for several seasons now ... Its quite exciting to think he 'may' be coming to us and he would definatly see this as a step up in his football career - Well Done SP (even if Fulham dont let him go) this is the type of player we want and need!

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