WAYNE BRIDGE is expected to resolve his future this week after Chelsea granted permission for the defender to leave on loan. The left back has received offers from several Barclays Premiership clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham. Chelsea would prefer him to remain in London. Since recovering from a broken ankle, Bridge has been out of favour but wants first-team football to ensure a place in the England squad for the World Cup.
West Ham United were close last night to agreeing a deal with Norwich City for Dean Ashton after increasing their bid to a little more than £7 million for the forward. Ashton became Norwich’s record signing a year ago when he moved for £3 million from Crewe Alexandra. He scored seven goals in 16 Premiership appearances but could not keep Norwich in the top flight. He has scored 11 goals this season.
Alan Pardew is considering Nigel de Jong as a replacement for Tomas Repka, who will return to the Czech Republic from West Ham next week. The manager watched the defender, who is out of contract in the summer, play for Ajax on Sunday.
Pardew has also considered Stephen Kelly, who has requested a transfer from Tottenham Hotspur, and John Halls, who appears set to leave Stoke City for Southampton. West Ham remain keen on Gabri, the Barcelona midfield player.
Jason Euell’s proposed transfer to Birmingham City has stalled. Birmingham had agreed a £1.5 million fee for the Charlton Athletic forward but called the deal off yesterday. It is believed that Steve Bruce, the Birmingham manager, remains keen on Euell, but he is also considering other forward options. Euell has not started a league match since October 2004 and has not played this season.
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“We do not have much money in the coffers and though we are interested in Jason, we want to make sure we bring in the right person,” Bruce said.
Tottenham have had a £1 million bid for Adam Johnson, the winger, turned down by Middlesbrough. Tottenham have denied a claim by the agent of Alexander Kerzhakov that they had a bid of £8 million for the forward rejected by Zenit St Petersburg.
Craig Davies, the Oxford United striker, has turned down a move to Verona despite the clubs agreeing a fee. “I was really flattered, but I just felt that it was the wrong move at the wrong time,” Davies said.