Bruce moves to hijack Viduka bid.

[Jimbo 175]

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has cut short his holiday to make an audacious 11th-hour attempt to snatch Mark Viduka from Newcastle’s grasp.

 

Bruce was summoned back to St Andrew’s by chairman David Gold on Friday to offer Middlesbrough striker Viduka a three-year deal worth £5 million.

 

Viduka, 31, is holding weekend talks with suitors before flying to America on holiday, where he will come to a decision.

 

Although Newcastle are in pole position because Viduka is reluctant to leave his home in north Yorkshire, Birmingham believe they can take advantage of the uncertainty at St James’ Park.

 

Sam Allardyce was appointed manager by chairman Freddy Shepherd, but the future of both is unclear following the arrival of billionaire Mike Ashley, who has bought 42 per cent of the club from the Hall family and is seeking to buy the club outright.

 

The West Midlands is a hotbed of Premiership transfer activity.

 

Bruce, who has been on holiday in Spain, has signed Fabrice Muamba and Stuart Parnaby this summer, although he looks like being pipped by Wigan for former Newcastle defender Titus Bramble. Across the city, Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill looks set to start his summer spending spree this week by signing West Ham skipper Nigel Reo-Coker for £7m.

 

Reo-Coker put in a transfer request at Upton Park eight days ago and, as reported in last week’s Mail on Sunday, Villa were always favourites to land the 22-year-old midfielder. Villa have now opened talks with West Ham.

 

Villa are also in the chase for Charlton’s England defender Luke Young, although West Ham boss Alan Curbishley was Young’s manager at The Valley and is keen to reunite him with Scott Parker, who is arriving from Newcastle. Manchester United may let teenage prospect Kieran Lee go out on loan to Stoke next season, while Liverpool will also allow England Under-20 goalkeeper Dave Martin to go out on loan.

 

Everton are prepared to wait to get Sheffield United defender Phil Jagielka, with manager David Moyes unwilling to pay more than £4.25m.

[Scottish Mag 3]

Bullshit story IMO

 

The contract surely wouldn't be more attractive than whats on the table. That one only works out at £32000 a week. He would be better signing a reported £40000 a week 2 year deal that has been reported from us and elsewhere and walk away at 33 with one last final pay day and signing on fee elsewhere.

[Isegrim 10033]

Hooray another Sunday during the transfer window.

[Shearergol 0]

Why the fuck would he go to Birmingham anyway?