Fulham hopeful of Greening deal
Thursday 23rd July 2009, 11:29AM BST.
Can’t see video? Update Adobe Flash Player
Video may take a moment to load. Return to Video Index
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is “very hopeful” of signing Albion captain Jonathan Greening despite the apparent impasse between the clubs.
But he insists the Cottagers will not pay over the odds for the Hawthorns skipper, after they had two bids rejected.
The latest offer of £3.25million was turned down on Monday and Hodgson did not reveal whether Fulham were planning an improved package.
But he said: “I am hopeful. I think the offer we have made to West Bromwich is a very good one.
“We think the player would like to stay in the Premier League and we would like to sign him.
“But it’s now a question of Albion accepting an offer that we are capable of making or prepared to make. I am still very hopeful that will be the case.
“I can’t update people any further or make any bold statements because he is a West Bromwich player, but he is a player we would very much like to sign.
“We are prepared to pay what we think is a very good price for him.”
Albion head coach Roberto Di Matteo revealed there had been no fresh developments on Greening’s future, since the rejection of the second Fulham bid three days ago.
The Italian went on the record on the future of Marek Cech, who has again been linked with a move away from the Hawthorns.
The Slovakia international’s agent has linked him with Celtic and FC Twente, after a tough first season with the Baggies but the Hawthorns head coach is keen to keep him.
Di Matteo said: “There is no news on Marek. He is our player and we’re not looking to sell him at all.
“If I have any news about transfers I will update people.”
Albion emerged from last night’s 2-0 friendly win at Shrewsbury without any fresh injuries and they could have two injured players back in time for the trip to Walsall on Saturday.
Di Matteo said: “Simon Cox should be involved on Saturday. He is back in training part-time.
“Graham Dorrans is close. He is another one who possibly could be involved on Saturday.”
Albion are expected to send a young side to Kidderminster on Friday.
Business Awards
Book a Business Awards table
Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
hodgson says the cottagers wont pay over the odds,OH YES THEY WILL they wont pull the wool over JPs eyes,pay up or shut up,aye boing boing loads a money
Report abuse
I think this transfer will end up running on until the end of August!!
I think JP’s holding out for £4million and unless that comes to the table from Fulham, Jesus will still be with us next season.
Report abuse
I just love it when JP plays hard ball. STB where’s your Jodie?
Report abuse
I too love JP’s stance when selling players – pay my price or naff off….. BUT…..
When looking at the clubs that are currently attracting new financial investors (Southampton, Notts county, Pompy ect….) I wonder why a club as well run as us, with frequent visits to the prem, a good ground & solid fan base can’t attract a similar benefactor – despite JP publicly inviting interest.
I’m wondering if his over pricing of our players to would be buyers is being repeated to would be buyers of the club – and whilst Fulham may pay £4 million of a £3 million player, no one will pay £75 million for a £50 million pound club.
This is not a dig at JP as I believe he has the club at heart as well as his own profits – but its strange that Notts County & S’ton can get investment whilst we tacled the prem on a relative shoestring !!
Report abuse
‘I think the offer we have made the Albion is a very good one.’
Am I suffering deja vu or did he say exactly the same after the first offer. As I’ve said before, if they can afford to pay players double the wages we can, IE Gera, then they can afford to pay the going rate. If they’re not willing to do this then they should b****r off and stop trying to unsettle under contract players.
Wait two years Woy and you can have him for nothing.
4 Happy.
Isn’t it the case that we’re not desperate to flog off the club to anyone, unlike the two you mention. The club we play in our first home game are desperate to find a buyer and can’t.
I’m torn on this one. I can see the appeal of the Man City scenario, buying your local rivals best players, 25 mill for Jody Craddock etc. But being serious, I get a greater feeling of pride from being the little guy, the Norman Wisdom or Charlie Chaplin, getting knocked down but getting up again to fight back. Is it that great, selling your soul to the first spiv that comes along? As the saying goes ‘when you sup with the Devil, suck through a long straw,’ or something like that before the pedants pick me up. Like him or loathe him, our Chairman is a fan of our club, not some Johnny come lately using us as a plaything. He has also given us the wherewithall to thumb our nose at the Fulhams and Boltons when they try to rip us off.
Report abuse
Can I interest anyone else in airing their views on next seasons relegations from the Prem? I don’t mean to just have a go at our illustrious neighbours, although checking on their site, many of them have very unrealistic expectations.
BURNLEY. Looking at their signings, they seem to be going for an enjoy your season and be ready to have another go in the CCC the year after.
BLUES. I think that of the promoted clubs they had possibly the best squad for the Prem and they’ve made some interesting buys. The thing that worries me is their manager. I don’t think the bloke has a clue about tactics.
WOLVES. Haven’t exactly added a lot of PL experience and they may suffer for it. Milijas and Zubar may take a while to adapt as we found to our cost with imports last season.
Of the rest I think Pompey seem to be in limbo having lost some top players but still have a lot of Prem hardened players, as do Wigan, Sunderland and Bolton, the other in danger clubs.
I would back the three that came up to go back down, with possibly Blues pipping Pompey for 17th place. Anyone agree or disagree?
Report abuse
Anyone going to Walsall Saturday?
Me and big Pete will be in the Horse and Jockey on Wood Green Road before the game, about 1pm.
Report abuse
I don’t want to side with the neighbours but Burnley, Hull, Wigan and Portsmouth have got the most to worry about in my book….
There a lot of Prem teams that would struggle in CCC this year so it’ll be interesting.
As for CCC: us to win, Newcastle to really have trouble……
Report abuse
6. I agree and Pompey are in freefall
Report abuse
6 – Bully.
I think that Hull are destined to be relegated this season.
They just about managed to stay up despite being the worst team in the league from Novmeber on and you can see by their willingness to splash millions and millions on anyone who’s scored a goal in the Premier League they’re not looking strong.
I agree with you about Blues and Burnley and part of the Wulfies too. The Wolves will either survive or falter dependant upon how SEB can get on in the Prem. If he gets 15 goals next season I think they may well be safe.
Blues need their new South American import to score goals and I’m sure a small lad who’s well known to us all will have some part to play in deciding their fate.
Will Stoke be found out this season?
Will Portsmouth have anyone left at the club?
They’re my bottom 6, but in which order (in the style of Big Brother)
YOU DECIDE!!!
Report abuse
TRBH – no one is prouder than me of the way our club has achieved regular premiership football – AND had great CCC campaigns, all on a relative shoestring.
But I think that with limited funds, every prem season we earn is destined to end in disappointment – and also there will be other CCC clubs with money to spend who may eventually relegate us to mid table.
Now I’m no glory hunter – but I wanna see us at the top of the CCC and then giving the big boys a real run for their money – and we cant sustain this up/down senario for ever.
My forcast for prem relegation is Burnley 20th, Pompy 19th wolves 18th. Blues to just stay up. I also predict a very low points haul for the bottom 4.
Report abuse
7 – Bomber, got our tickets today. Going in the Saddlers Club for a pint or 2 before the match.
Report abuse
Anyone read about the Wulfies giving their fans £40 to get their mates to go to the football with them next season?
What a joke?! I’d love to see what Shadrag says about that!!
Report abuse
7 wbabomber I would love to come with you and big pete but i got myself a new nephew and i will be seeing him for the first time, kitted him out with baggie baby clothes. love the horse and jockey though bake spuds to die for have one on me.
Report abuse
3,im not sure,are you missing here too,i notice cyril isent on agen either?meks ya wonder dont it,aye boing boing plz come back jodie xxxxx
Report abuse
According to the daily mail sports reporter he said that the botton half of the premier league table is the worst its been for years.
Report abuse
4 happy, im not sure if its true but i heard the buyers of notts county actualy thought they where buying newcastle,ie black n white stripes,magpies,wot ya think,aye boing boing wey hey lad
Report abuse
my 3 to go down,you mite think im being biased here but im not, vile,blues,wolfs,aye boing boing we to go up as CHAMPIONS
Report abuse
18 Sir Terry.
You are fairness personified. How could anyone even think you were biased.
PS Jodie is trying to make you jealous with Bomber and Big Pete. Play it cool.
11 Happy.
I wasn’t disagreeing with you. Just saying that I still can’t decide what I’d want if faced with the choice.
It’s a conundrum but I still think judgement day may not be too far away for a lot of the clubs that try to keep up with the Jones’s, Abramovich’s, and Al Saeed’s. Perhaps we’ll cement our place in the top league by default, when the big four go to a Euro super league and big spenders with no back up go to the wall.
Report abuse
13 Ned.
I saw that story. The only thing certain is that all of the friends they bring with them were at the Chorley game as well.
PS Shouldn’t it be 40 pieces of silver rather than £40 for doing that to a friend.
Report abuse
Why would we want to keep a player who has made it perfectly clear he doesn’t want to play for WBA.I feel sure if JP gets his £4ml JG will be gone.He has been a good servant,but thats the thing,has been.Lets take the dough and get on with the most important thing,which is the season to come,we don’t need these sort of distractions.As for teams for relegation,i think Burnley,Maybe Wolves and Portsmouth.
Report abuse
TRBH, I totally agree with you.
First of all, I think JP has done a fantastic job. Under his stewardship (since June 2002) I can’t remember any season being dull, even if it did end in relegation from the Premiership. He absolutely has the club at heart and will not be pushed around by the bigger clubs. In-fact, it’s quite the reverse, it’s usually him giving them a black eye.
I enjoy it when we punch above our weight and although i agree, that a sustained run in the Premiership would be nice, there’s only probably six to ten clubs who can guarantee that. I mean, with the money they spent, who would have tipped Newcastle and Mboro to be relegated last season and remember Spurs were bottom for a few months until they brought Redknapp in.
So we’re back in the CCC and yet, everyone is looking at us, including the bookies, as one if not the favourite to go right back up. A lot of other clubs also look at the model JP has set up as something they want to emulate.
We were only a striker away (August signing that is) from staying up last season, and I have no doubt that we’ll be back in the big-time soon with a squad that’s more than capable of persevering at that level for several seasons.
The futures bright my friends…
Report abuse
Jeremy Peace should except the 3.25M and move on,
its about time the Gary Megson ghost is well and
truely gone,Albion should also get rid of
“IAM ALWAYS INJURED AND DONT WANT TO BE HERE”
James Morrison.
MY ALBION 16 FOR NEWCASTLE GAME:
KIELY c,ZUIVERLOON,MEITE,OLSSON,CECH,TEIXEIRA,
MULUMBU,KOREN,BRUNT,COX,MOORE.Subs:CARSON gk,
MARTIS,DORRANS,VALERO,ELFORD-ALLIYU.
Report abuse
ned they have had to stop work on supporters club no way is it going to be finished now,ive tryed to tell you why but for some reason they wont print it,aye boing boing caravans
Report abuse
Good Morning Terry hope you are well don’t listen to the others your my first my last my everything. boing boing (Cyril will make somat of that).Enjoy the Walsall match wish I was going, will soon be back at the Smethwick end love ya loads.jodie baggie XXXX
Report abuse
19 TRBH,and its working, the green eyed monster is raging inside me,but i bet bomber and pete cant cook a baked spud like me with a mixture of delicous toppings and swilled down with a pint of home brew,aye boing boing pass the ketchup
Report abuse
20 the Real Bully Hoo if they he was a true friend and a true supporter
wolud’t they be going anyway boing boing
Report abuse
24 – Morning Tez, my mate told me yesterday when he went for the Walsall tickets.
He also said about the caravans too…..what a lovely thought?!
Looks like it’s The Vine or the cricket club for the start of the season then?
Cheers for letting me know though mate, much appreciated. Hopefully see ya tomorrow.
Report abuse
20 – Bully. I just couldn’t believe it!! They’re up in the Prem for the 1st time in 5 / 6 years and have only sold 19000 season tickets?!
We all know the Wulfies have a bloody good following and yes, times are hard, but I would have thought they’d be right up for it and their season ticket sales would have been through the roof!!
Maybe the fair weather fans over there aren’t expecting too many good days at the Custard Bowl this season???
Report abuse
25,i dont list to gossip jodie it never crossed my mind you was 2 timing me,i know your not that kind of women,just off over the shrine get me tickets,catch ya later aye boing boing cant get enough of your love babe
Report abuse
Over on the transfer rumours page it is stated that, Hodgson has hinted that Fulham will not increase his rejected offer, but still wants a deal.
Am i missing something here. Indeed does Hodgson think JP`s resolve is about to weaken, dont hold your bweth woy.
Personally i am sick and tired of this blokes bleating, he thinks (not for the first time) that he has made a fair offer……..err, it dont matter what he think JP will decide what is a fair offer, and no amount of whining to the media will change that.
I would urge JP to increase the asking price to 5 million just to aggravate him.
Report abuse
I’ve read on another site that we’ve today rejected a £4million bid for Jesus.
Report abuse
My wolves mate offered me £40 to go to the match – but I gave him £50 and said no.
Report abuse
Sir Terry.
Good to hear that things are Hunky Dory between you and Jodie (or I suppose that should now be Lady Jodie now.) I can only presume that the caravan you were trying to tell Ned about was The Caravan of Love.
29 Ned.
Amazing that the hordes of fans that would be tearing each other apart to get season tickets when the Wolves reached the Prem don’t seem to have materialised.
Could this be the reason that our friend Laughing Wolf seems to have deserted our pages. He’s not on holiday as he’s still spouting off on the Wulfies site with ridiculous lists of players. My other theory is (if he’s not Steve Madely that is) that their fans still hate and abuse him. Could it be he’s a masochist and can’t take the outpourings of love and affection he gets over here?
31 Forever.
You’re right. I seem to remember Celtic and Bolton saying the same thing about Mowbray and Robinson. Could you jog my memory about how those two finished up? Love your last idea.
Report abuse
ned best thing is there on about increasing there ground capacity,must be for when they play us aye boing boing empty seats
Report abuse
The only reason apart from my fiance Terry I come on to this site is because I work with a lot of woolfies,(all arm chairs) and I want to be amongst my baggie friends, i love to join in with the banter I’m not allowed to mention WBA because it will upset the woolfies here.I now feel i am truely amongst friends and enjoy reading all your messages. I am so looking forward to the new season I feel it’s gona be a season to remember, I no longer feel alone at work cos of you lot. Baggie fans together forever thank you.
Report abuse
JODIE I LOVE YOU XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Report abuse
Apologies all, been a bit busy getting car ready for MOT. It’s as old as me in ‘car years’ but all the bits work, just like me too. I convinced Sir Tel that I should ‘do the demonstrations’ for his new love, our Jodie. Tel thought, “Good idea, he’s an expert and he can’t do much damage at his age”. I forgot to tell him I was a wartime child and we never had any toys. Also my Mom was a bit thoughtless lifting me out of the bath. Only two weeks to Kick Off. Cor wait! I shall take my super binoculars and get Jodie to wave to me from the Smerrick to the East Stand. About 6 rows below where JP sits, Jodie. Charming old git with specs, surrounded by loads of old birds trying to get an autograph. Need a new pencil with some lead in it.
Report abuse
when mowbray left i was gutted,but went to cardiff wednesday and decided to go and watch cardiff v celtic at the new stadium(very nice).
Upon reflection i think celtic have done us a favour,it was like watching the baggies in green and white on a real bad day,cardiff should have won for my money they played well,only the celtic goal keeper played well making numerous saves,getting caught out at the back plus the usual passing in the middle and there was i in my albion shirt in the ninian park pub,wearing it with pride,much to the amazment of cardiff fans.GOOD RIDDANCE tony and your one way football.
Report abuse