Rumour mill: Ashton race on

August 23, 2005

MANCHESTER City are battling with West Ham for the signature of Dean Ashton, according to a report.

Despite Norwich's insistence that Ashton is not for sale, speculation is growing that the Blues are poised to table a £7million bid for the striker.

However, The Sun reports that the Hammers will offer cash plus Marlon Harewood for Ashton in a bid to tempt the big forward to Upton Park.

City boss Stuart Pearce has endured a frustrating spell in the transfer market of late, despite having money available following the £21m sale of Shaun Wright-Phillips to Chelsea.

Although Pearce is delighted with the early form of new signings Darius Vassell and Andy Cole, the Blues look to have failed in their big-money bid for Steed Malbranque.

A £1m bid for Stelios Giannakopoulos has also been met with a stern rejection from Bolton.

Would you like to see City bid for Ashton? Have your say.

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bluecity, north stand (23/08/2005 at 12:31)

I wouldn,t spend 7m on him no matter what at the most he,s worth 5.5m -i would spend 2m on carlton cole instead and go for gravesen 3m and van der meyde 2m

daz, denton (23/08/2005 at 12:39)

The lad is not worth 7 million. He has only played a dozen games in the premiership. how can that be a proven striker! He is a good player but he has no pace. More to the point, why do we need him? We have Cole, Vassell, Fowler, BWP and Sibierski. We also have Miller and Sturridge (and bermingham on loan) in reserve. We need midfield players, not strikers. It would be waste of money ala Keegan.

Harry H, SK (23/08/2005 at 12:39)

A decent enough player but unproven at Premiership level(last season was a typical honeymoon period)OH ! & he has pace before someone claims otherwise ! In short,still alot to prove IMHO.

Chris, Chorley (23/08/2005 at 12:45)

Worthington is quote in the Norwich local rag as saying that City have not bid, and if they do it will be rejected. He's a good player, but seven million? Surely we could buy Geremi for a fraction of that. Ferrari - what's the score with that one? Send out Ishmael Miller on loan to get some experience, and we're sorted.

Harry H, SK (23/08/2005 at 12:46)

Sorry,that should,ve said NO pace.

Alex, Manchester (23/08/2005 at 12:47)

i agree he is not worth 7mill but he is a good target man and would be a good physical presence up front but who do you drop for him. still need a creative midfielder and a quality centre back for cover because jordan looks uneasy playing out of position. played well against birmingham should be a good season if we continue to play like that.

Stu for Pope, The real world (23/08/2005 at 12:48)

Pure speculation! There is no way Stu will spend B#7m. on Ashton, and he's right not to do so.

Justin, Norfolk (23/08/2005 at 12:49)

How can you print such rubbish when the manager of Norwich City has stated categorically that the player is not for sale, and the player has also stated that he is not interested in moving ?

Blue Hasslehoff, G's (23/08/2005 at 12:49)

Think he's a good player but really wouldn't gamble paying 7 million for him!! Pay 5 million at the most then this should leave another 5 million for a creative midfield player!!!

Sneaky Pierre, Manchester (not trafford) (23/08/2005 at 12:50)

I agree, not a proven premiership striker.....3m tops, don't be drawn in Stuart

Sugar, Prestbury (23/08/2005 at 12:53)

NO NO NO

Another Jon Macken disaster waiting to happen

Buy Defoe for 7mil

Robert Pratt, Southampton (23/08/2005 at 12:53)

If it means losing 'Marvellous' Marlon Harewood City can have Ashton - and B#7 million!!

Ben, New Moston (23/08/2005 at 12:56)

Good player but B#7m far too much for a striker we don't need (got Cole Vassell BWP and Fowler soon). SP splash your B#7m on a top attacking midfielder - havent had one since Benarbia.

Roger, exiled in holmfirth (23/08/2005 at 13:02)

B#7m is double his true value. If we're gonna spend big on a player can we have a midfielder rather than a striker please

DJ, Chorlton (23/08/2005 at 13:04)

The price 7million seems a lot. Smacks of Keegan style money. However the price will be high as Crewe have a sell on clause. I think I read somewhere 20% of any fee. If Norwich have decided they want 5 million then they will add on 20% to the fee.
There again, I'm not convinced he is the man we need. I'd rather go back to Everton and spend 2 million on Bent than risk 7 million on Ashton. We do need someone because I'm convinced we are going to cancel Fowler's contract. I hope SP isn't feeling the pressure of the transfer window closing and rushing into a purchase. Better to wait until January.

Monkeyhanger, Wigan (23/08/2005 at 13:08)

I dont know if the Ashton story is true but you cannot look at what either the player or the club says and take that as being Gospel. If the club say that they want to sell that gets them in trouble with their fans and it takes the price up, if the player says he wants to go and doesnt then he's in trouble with the fans and manager. Anybody remember SWP? Ashton would be a good buy but I agree that it seems a tad steep though I think he's a beyyer long term bet than Crouch is.

Danny, Moston (23/08/2005 at 13:08)

Why can't people on here make their minds up? A few weeks ago we were all for Dean Ashton coming to City. Now were going for him all the comments are negative. The amount of times minds have been changed on here, I could mistake you all for women!

Max, Bangkok (23/08/2005 at 13:16)

I have to agrre with bluecity, north stand. "I wouldn,t spend 7m on him no matter what at the most he,s worth 5.5m -i would spend 2m on carlton cole instead and go for gravesen 3m and van der meyde 2m" And to add to that we don't need Ashton. He may be another Macken and I think BWP will be a better player and will score more goals over
a season than Ashton.

Harry H, SK (23/08/2005 at 13:26)

Danny,I,ve read plenty of posts from regulars who think Ashton either over-rated,worth nowhere near #7m or just don,t want him,do you need glasses mate lol ?

Reidus, Sheffield (23/08/2005 at 13:28)

why dont we try and buy Geremi, B#2.5m tops!!!

g, STOCKY (23/08/2005 at 13:30)

doesnt sound like SP behaviour to me....blowing nearly all the remaining funds on 1 player.....unproven......and not a midfielder.......its not gonna happen.......
dont know why Guardiola wasnt taken on loan for the season....no fee, just wages....Ali obviously thought he was well worth a season....i feel that THAT is our biggest miss this transfer window and one SP actually cocked up.... we will see....only days left to bring people in...

Johno, Manc (23/08/2005 at 13:30)

Don't need him.

Stu, Glossop (23/08/2005 at 13:32)

Justin, S W-P said he didnt wanna leave and Man City said he's not for sale. Money talks!!!

Phil Andrews, Cornwall (Ex Ardwick) (23/08/2005 at 13:33)

Agree with most on this one - B#7 Million will be just as bad as the B#5 Million & B#6 Million we have spent on so called strikers.

Mossy., Maine Stand..... (23/08/2005 at 13:40)

DJ hit the nail on the head. Lets not be to hasty in getting another striker in. If we cant get Bent then lets hold off till January. No big rush.

Too much money to spend on Ashton. We got 2 top strikers for 1.5mil so 7 mil is far too much.

Mossy.

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