Albion today dismissed claims they had received their first rejection of the summer – and urged fans to stay patient amid the already frantic transfer speculation.
Overnight reports from France claimed Nancy striker Marc-Antoine Fortune had turned down offers from the Baggies and Ipswich.
It was claimed the Premier League new boys and Championship outfit were after the 26-year-old who is closing out an impressive season with Nancy.
The former Lille and Utrecht hit-man has been instrumental in Nancy’s surprise bid to qualify for next season’s Uefa Champions League.
They are currently third in the French league and the reports suggested Fortune had rejected their overtures because of the likely prospect of playing Champions League football next season.
But Albion sources today dismissed any notion of an interest in the striker whose name is nowhere to be seen on the list of targets manager Tony Mowbray and chairman Jeremy Peace will be working on over the next three months.
The skirmish over Fortune’s future follows reports already linking Albion with Polish midfielder Radoslaw Majewski and Danish keeper Jesper Christiansen.
But the Baggies are still in the preliminary stages of gauging just where they stand in the pecking order of rival clubs chasing the same players as well as assessing which targets will offer the best value for money.
One piece of business has been confirmed, however, with Barnsley taking goalkeeper Luke Steele on a permanent basis.
Steele finished the campaign on loan at Oakwell playing a key role in their FA Cup semi-final run and successful survival fight.
“Luke will sign for us on June 21 and will be here permanently for next season,” said manager Simon Davey last night.
Steele is being given a free transfer by Albion.
14 Comments
These sort of stories will be around all summer, promoted clubs are always perceived as having to sign more new players than most and with extra reveue have the funds to do so, thus the media links them to more players than other clubs.
Recent history tells us that Peace and Mowbray often do business below the radar of many media sources. But hey we still read them and get hooked in!!!
At the rate these stories are coming we will soon have a second first team.
1, Thats it mate make yourself feel better, the truth is though, yam a small club that wont last 2 minutes in the Prem and no one wants to be associated with a here today gone tomorrow back end of Brum outfit, that is of course if your an average player or over 30.
Im lovin it!
Didn’t really want someone described as ‘Nancy striker Marc-Antoine Fortune.’
see the sad dingles are still straw clutching,lets see how many players want to go to the custard bowl fighting relegation next season or at best mid table.
Sandwell - what exactley are you lovin ??
Are you really telling us that the Albion being in the premier league is cause for bragging rights in dingletown ??
You can love it at swansea and preston and blackpool - don’t worry ya little head about us at Old Trafford - we’ll be ok.
I can’t wait to see the calibre of players you guys pick up this summer - i hear Clinton morrison is on the radar, but earnshaw is out your price range…. BIG CLUB !!!!
You are a tin pot team playing dire football in front of the worst fans in the country - and managed by the village idiot…. enjoy !
Oh, and yes - I’m LOVIN IT !!!!
6, Ha ha ha ha!!! Touch a nerve saddo!
7 - did I ??
MUG.
Is it me or has the banter between Wolves and Albion on here which is often funny and very amusing become a little twisted in recent weeks??
I think it is due to the season ending with no games to look forward to until August, stir crazy!!
Entering into any sort of banter with people like sandwell massive would hurt my intellect, thats not a knock at Wolves fans, they have some good posters on here, just a knock at people like sadman massive who is just winding people up to get a reaction (he surely doesnt beleive the things he has stated).
Roll on June and the friendlies hey!!
Happy are you ok for the 6th June???
Handbags are out, but I’m sure the Baggie will win as Wolves tend to crumble under pressure
Bomber - definately… lookin forward to it.
I think its not the lack of football that has warped a few minds - I think its the last 40 odd games.
some posters on here have never had the humility to say well done after their rivals had a decent result - many were even unhappy when their own club was winning games !!
I’ve even read wolves fans saying they hope Eastwood scores loads AGAINST them next season !!
To be fair, some needed less warping than others.
The fact of the matter is that wolves are no longer our rivals…
In the last 3/4 years we’ve been in the same league as them we have spanked them, time and time again.
We are a better team than wolves. Its not an argument, its a fact.
leaves them to their mid table championship team.
We’re now prem, have been on and off for a while now. the new target are villa. Consentrate on them.
Forget wolves, i have, they’re old news.
Its like being wound-up by Walsall fans
Allegedly , Bob the Builder will be joining you clowns to help cement your place at the foot of the table
13 JIWAL.
Good attempt. Well done, keep trying.