Albion open talks with Campbell

Thursday 8th October 2009, 10:30AM BST.

solcampbellAlbion have opened preliminary talks with Sol Campbell about a move to the Hawthorns.

The 35-year-old former England international’s agent Sky Andrew has spoken with Baggies officials about the prospect of the former Spurs, Arsenal and Portsmouth defender picking up the threads of his career at the Hawthorns.

This follows the player’s controversial and highly-publicised walk-out at Notts County last month, after playing just one game for the League Two side he had been persuaded to join by his old England boss Sven Goran Eriksson.

As things stand, the prospects of a deal being sealed for Campbell to step back into the fray at Championship level remain some way off.

Club and agent have spoken about the player’s fitness levels and salary demands, following his walk-out on a lucrative five year deal at County.

But Campbell, who is still keen to play and has spoken with his old Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger about rejoining them for training, would not require anything like that £50,000 a week deal to join the Baggies.

He said: “I just want to play football in the right way, but everything has to be done in the proper way. There are ways of playing before January. I’m not going to elaborate, but there are ways.

“Not very soon, but there are ways.”

The prospect of deal with such a high profile figure comes as a direct result of the circles head coach Roberto Di Matteo has moved in during his career, as the Baggies boss would be a key figure in persuading the player to come if chairman Jeremy Peace approves the finances.

There are many, including Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, who are convinced that Campbell could still handle Premier League football.


  1. 1
    sedgley baggie

    hope so would be a brilliant signing. would be great alongside olssen.
    fingers crossed

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  2. 2
    AMS

    And outside my window is a pig flying across a blue moon. We couldn’t keep Kevin Phillips 2 seasons ago – so how can we secure Sol Campbell.

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  3. 3
    Ellen

    Olsson and Campbell partnership, sounds great to me.

    Come on JP sign him up!

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  4. 4
    baggie

    would be and excellent signing if it happens, worry about the wages though we know what JP is like

    get him in baggies

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  5. 5
    Warren

    It’d be nice but I can’t see it happening.

    Our wage structure won’t allow for paying more than 20-25k per week (rightly so IMO), and once news spreads, there’ll be teams in the PL (the likes of Hull) and maybe foreign teams who can offer him more than us both on and off the field.

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  6. 6
    Baggieno1

    agree totally sedgley baggie….. and just think of the experience he would bring to the club for the other defenders………………….BOING BOING

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  7. 7
    Stratford Baggie

    Agreed – Sign him up now (quality).

    Report abuse

  8. 8
    The REAL Baggie Boy

    3 words

    NO
    NO
    NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report abuse

  9. 9
    Worcester Wolves

    A great signing if you boys can get him. Good luck!(Wanna swap him for Elokobi???)

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  10. 10
    Nedball

    Would love to see it happen, but I can’t see it happening.

    Anyone know of anywhere to watch the England match for free on the net on Saturday by the way?

    Cyril, I’m looking at you, as you seem to be an expert in the field.

    Report abuse

  11. 11
    The REAL Baggie Boy

    10 just do a search on internet any links would be deleted I presume if you search you find a link somewhere.

    If you ever watch football live on the net already you wont go far wrong

    Report abuse

  12. 12
    Andy L

    During August I commented on this site asking why we were’nt linked with him and most people thought money was the problem.

    I will reiterate my comment that should we sign him he will prove to be an excellent buy who would tighten our defence along side Ollson and enable us to return straight to the Premiership whereby if we can then keep hold of him he would still do a good job in the Premiership increasing our chances of staying up

    Report abuse

  13. 13
    DorransLovesBrom

    I DONT WANT THE 35 YEAR OLD ,HASBEAN,
    MONEY GRABBING,PRE MADONNA,CRY BABY!
    “Uh I dont like it when opposing fans call me
    names”.
    For christ sake he`s on an absolute fortune
    yet cant take a bit of stick off some fans.

    Report abuse

  14. 14
    Kingswinford Baggie

    No way do we want Campbell! He is well past his best and was given the run around by Ishmael Miller at home last season before Miller’s unfortunate injury. His salary demands are much too high and would only lead to unrest in the dressing room. He thinks he is better than he actually is.
    It would have made sense to have kept Kevin Phillips who would probably kept us in the Premiership but we kept other squad players instead who were not up to the task.
    Common sense is needed and Campbell should be avoided at all costs! And while I am on the subject of common sense, why was Carson made captain instead of Olsen? These sort of poor decisions concern me.

    Report abuse

  15. 15
    RockstarWBA

    Nedball…..bet 365 are showing it..but you have to input £5 to open an account…

    Report abuse

  16. 16
    Warren

    Would’ve thought brummierdwes would’ve been on to voice an opinion given he’s so concerned about the quality of our squad.

    Maybe he thinks we should go for Neil Collins instead.

    Report abuse

  17. 17
    Warren

    Dorrans

    Campbell’s old, but I don’t think he’s pre-Madonna…….

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  18. 18
    WORCESTER BAGGIE

    id say yes for a short term deal if jp can sort it out,,no transfer fee or signing on fee and we can match sols wages no probs..come on down sol the price is right,,GOING UP THE DI MATTEO WAY,,IN STYLE OF COURSE,,OOOOOOOOOOOOH YES..

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  19. 19
    Kev Ruston

    I think Campbell would be a fantastic signing if we could get him!! Him and Olsson at the back…he’s better than Meite, Barnett and Martis put together!! Boing Boing

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  20. 20
    alfred miller

    Well the same old bull, this goes to all newspapers and media who is linking us to this money grabbing judas.

    One paper says we are interested in him, one said Juventus are also interested, one said he is undergoing a medical the other mentioned a host of clubs are after him and the list of lies goes on.

    He will only do harm to the rest of our squad if he joins West Brom.

    We’ll be better off if you get KP back Mr Peace!

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  21. 21
    baggietastic

    17-warren lol. Very good mate.

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  22. 22
    Warren

    Hilltop

    I never mentioned anyone’s actual wage, I was talking of our wage structure, and it was a ballpark figure. I accept that figure may be closer to £10k-£15k tops when we’re in the Championship, and I also accept most of our squad won’t be near the top threshold.

    If you read these boards regularly, you’ll know that I often post about clubs whose wage bill’s more than 100% of their turnover (Hull, Stoke) and I’m in full support of the JP regime.

    I was merely making the point that once clubs become more aware of Campbell’s situation, we’ll be a small fish in the negotiating stakes.

    What would a director of football bring? Would this not overlap Dan Ashworth’s role at the club?

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  23. 23
    BoingBoing666

    AMS,

    read the full story mate, his not a money grabber, he states he does NOT need the 50,000 a week contract he had at Notts County, he just wants to play football the right way.

    KP left over money issues.

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  24. 24
    Robin Brittain

    The best centre back in the last twenty years. Promotion guaranteed with Sol

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  25. 25
    baggiepaul1

    21. What is your point? Except for Davies, who is now injured and may not get his place back, the rest of the players cannot get into very average (or worse)Premiership teams on a regular basis. The grass is not always greener. Would you really want McShane Kamara or Robbo back. And surely Wise is “tongue in cheek”?

    Report abuse

  26. 26
    Ant Lowe

    Sorry Shelton Martis, but step aside for some real quality, get him signed!!

    Report abuse

  27. 27
    wbabomber

    Ive just spoke to Hilltopbaggie and i can tell you that postings 21 and 22 are not him. Whoever you are you sad liitle man you had better hope that hilltop doesnt find out who you are and find you.

    Report abuse

  28. 28
    Happy_baggie

    There are pros and cons to bringing Sol campbell in – but i just wanna point out that if 21 is the REAL hilltop baggie then he has certainly changed over the past few months – his statement that we are a team of old and slow players holds no water and i know Pete is far more knowledgable than that.

    If it aint the real hilltop then why are the E&S allowing a moron to impersonate someone who actually posts on behalf of the paper ??

    Report abuse

  29. 29
    Happy_baggie

    Also if a player leaves after 5 or 6 seasons (Greening, Robbo, Albre,ect..) how can you say they aint committed ??

    I’ve just remembered why I choose to ignore the boards most days – dingles in disguise posting rubbish and the paper allowing it !!

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  30. 30
    The REAL Baggie Boy

    22. I know for a fact that at least 2 Albion players are paid (notice I did not use the word EARN)over 20k per year and it does not take a brain surgeon to work out who they are

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  31. 31
    klunk71

    would a fully fit, at the top of his game Campbell ever have thought of coming to play for the baggies, answer NO, so why should we have him now, he’s already walked out on one club when it got a little tough, we’ve been through this all before, TOWNSEND and PHELAN come to mind and they did nothing for the baggies, we should go out and get someone who is hungry to play for us not looking to run out to pasture, surely there’s another Olsson out there somewhere who would play for us many years and be looking to better themselves.

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  32. 32
    baggiebob

    Doesn’t sound like Pete to me. However, unfortunately some of this is true, we do have a large turnover of players and it would be good to have a side who are committed to the baggies and not looking to jump ship as soon as things get a little rough. When I say a side not players who have had one season league 1 or 2 and done ok. Quality young players. Mulumbu and Jara look promising, Reid and Cox need to go on loan back to their respective leagues.

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  33. 33
    Wbaforever

    This isn`t the first time a bogus post has been atributed to Pete, it`s very tiresome, and it`s patently obvious which posts are dingle infiltrators.

    13 DLB
    Your post made me laugh!!!
    and i quote you ” cant take a bit of stick off some fans”

    If he were to sign for the Baggies, he would have to take more than a bit of stick from you!
    A tirade of unwarrented bile is more your style.

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  34. 34
    Baggietastic

    Somethings gone wrong here boys. 21 is me, it says Baggietastic on my view, 22 says warren, I can’t see any from Hilltop on my list at all.

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  35. 35
    baggie_kez

    To be fair, even on 50k a week if we signed him on a 12 month contract that’s only 2.6mill where are you going to find a player like him, ability and experience-wise?!

    I’d give him a chance….forget the Notts County joke he should never have gone there in the first place, let’s be the club that helps him get his career back on track!

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  36. 36
    Baggies badger

    That’s why they’re on here pretending to be WBA fans, like their team doing brilliant having played no one yet (ok so they played Man City). Thats why they are Dingles, they are either all on the dole, expelled from school or on asbo’s.They have nothing better to do as someone has taken their crayons away.

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  37. 37
    Warren

    The REAL Baggie Boy

    I would hope they earn more than £20k a year!!

    Like I’ve said, I used a ballpark figure (for wage structure not actual wage of each player) as an example to make a point re: our competitiveness vs Premiership teams when paying wages. Everyone seems to think I was trying to state exactly what our players earn!!

    Whether they earn £10k, £15k or £20k a week is irrelevant when teams like Hull, who want to sign everybody that’s available, are willing to risk the club’s long term future and pay £40k.

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  38. 38
    Janine

    People on here seem to have forgotten that he is a 35 year ‘has been,’ who’s salary demands will only cause unrest in the dressing room. Did you see the size of him when he made his solitary appearance for Notts County? Say no more!

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  39. 39
    wbafan

    no he’s old and rubbish, meite v2

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  40. 40
    SAnta

    Sol Campbell,mmmmmmm i don’t know what to think really.The way he left Notts County was a stinker.or so i thought.I hear there were a lot of extenuating circumstances.So if RDM thinks he could do a job for the Baggies,then who am i amongst others to say we do not want him?.+ K.P please.

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  41. 41
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    17 Warren.
    Does DLB mean the pop star or the Virgin Mary? Either way Dorrans has a point, that would make him very old but as he was once a legume apparently, he would have some novelty value.

    While I doubt very much if we’ll get him, surely we should trust the manager to judge his fitness and attitude. His ability is beyond any doubt. Likewise we should also trust the Chairman to execute value for money terms.

    Report abuse

  42. 42
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    Just seen the story about seven Palace players trying to wind up Bednar about the drugs story. Now who could have put that idea into their heads? Surely not that fine sportsman Colin.

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  43. 43
    1954baggie

    Dont get your hopes up get real we cant afford his
    wages the best we could go to would be 10bob and a
    pickled egg chances are zilch.

    Report abuse

  44. 44
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    ive had some info come my way about the supporters club,dont look like the hawthorns will be opening anytime soon due to work carried out by previous tenants,so looks like the club will be opening the east stand for us to use till end of season, just few things got to be sorted,then i believe we are going to the coach n horses where the landlord is having room done out to accommodate us,will let you know more if n when,aye boing boing pint a lager plz cock

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  45. 45
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    ive also had info on the wolves supporters club,there meetings will be held in the snug room of the red lion.aye boing boing

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  46. 46
    Cyril Randle

    Nedball, I have looked at the two sites I normally use but at present, nothing on the England v Ukraine match. Watching on the computer is NOT illegal for you although the transmitter may not be welcome in official circles. Sometimes the ‘links’ for a match may not be posted until about 10 minutes before KO and some transmitters leave a lot to be desired, but there are some where the quality is very good considering it is via a telephone two core cable. You probably aren’t old enough to remember 405 television in black and white but the definition is about that level, although it’s in colour obviously now. I will willingly post any info I get onto here if the E&S will allow it. As I said, it is not illegal to receive it. Why on earth the clubs can’t see that this is the way forward to increase support AND revenue for matches I can’t imagine. I doubt it would diminish the attendances, more likely improve them as locals would want to be ‘live’ and there, whereas a small fee for the overseas and Medway Baggyboys types would guarantee another source of income. No one would expect the multi-camera approach of Sky, but all clubs have a camera there these days. Official sites would have to guarantee a steady signal of course, but the internet is pretty solid these days. There’s nothing beats being there but away matches are not for me as I hate driving long distances these days.

    Report abuse

  47. 47
    Medway Baggie

    45 – Cyril… Yes I wouldn’t mind paying a fee to the club to watch the game, I don’t pay for live streaming now as it isn’t going to the club.

    Report abuse

  48. 48
    dannobaggs

    WOW! Before I heard this piece of news I had a premonition at work that something big was going down at the Hawthorns 2day… creepy :)

    Despite the usual immitaters and daft posts on here, this story is just what we needed 2 get sparks flying in this boaring 2 week break! After reading what different views of signing Sol Campbell I really dont know what 2 think myself… I am completley torn down the middle.

    Pros – in his day one of the best defenders u could get, and still a great player. U cant call him a has-been when the likes of Harry at Spurs are ready 2 snap him up. He can still hack it in the prem!
    Experiened, a natural leader. Something we dont have ever since Greening left. Something u need for a long slog of a promotion cahllenge in this league. He would sort out all the calamity defenders at the back!
    As 19) Kev said he is better than Barnet, Martis & Meite put together. He is still quality. Him an Olsson would be a great partnership.

    Cons – I am worried about his attitude, if things dont go well he wont be up for the fight! And just like every1 else I slated him for his actions for doing the dirty on Notts County. Was a bit of a disgrace to be honest!
    Salary is also a big factor, he will probably be the highest paid player. And it would cause unrest in the dressing room.

    But 2 be fair, what he said hinted he wouldn’t mind a move. The £50,000 a week is not essential to him & he
    “just wants to play football in the right way” thats gotta be the Albion style sureley??
    I agree with Worcester Baggie, if we could get him in on some short term deal… maybe 2 the end of the season with a view 2 offerning him a contract if we get promoted. It would eliminate the risks and would be a great deal!

    like I say…I dunno what 2 think. All I know is the 1 man to stand in the way of this as usual is the chairman. If RDM thinks he will do a job, then trust him. For once lets throw full caution 2 the wind a go for it! I thought all we needed was a natural goalscorer but maybe this will compensate for that. Just hope something silly doesn’t stand in the way of what (COULD) be the start of something special

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  49. 49
    Santa

    42, 10 bob AND a pickled egg? blimey,your pushing the boat out ain’t ya mate.

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  50. 50
    W.B.A.78

    SOL CAMBEL WILL NOT LIKE BEING KICKED OFF THE PARK THATS WHY HE LEFT NOTTS HE HAD TO WORK FOR HIS MONEY,YER OK IF HE COME BUT WE GOT RID OF ONE BIG FISH IN A SMALL POND CURTIS DAVIS AND HE IS HOW GOOD NOW?HE IS 35 WE WOULD HAVE ANOTHER PHILLIPS PICKING THE GAMES HE THINKS HE CAN PLAYYES CAMPBELL COULD DO A JOB HE HAS BEEN A GREAT PLAYER AND HE WOULD DO GREAT UP HERE BUT HE WINGES N WOULD BRING THE DRESSING ROOM DOWN

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  51. 51
    Cyril Randle

    One question on Sol Campbell. If money isn’t that important and the quite brilliant Harry Redknap wants him at Tottingham, how come anybody thinks they have a chance? Janine makes a good point. I didn’t see the size of him but when huge muscle starts turning to fat, it’s a sod to change it back again. Youngsters who are men at 17 become old men in their mid thirties. If that’s more than one question, then remember, “Nobody Expects The Spanish Inquisition”.

    Report abuse

  52. 52
    The REAL Baggie Boy

    Warren 36… OOPS I obviously meant per week but it would be great if footballers did only “earn” around that per year perhaps they would have to come back to the real world lol

    Report abuse

  53. 53
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    So, Celtic and Rangers want to play in a more competitive league outside Scotland. League of Wales or Blue Square should fit the bill.

    On the subject of Wolves in Baggies clothing. While the likes of brummierdwes are so clumsily obvious, that they are no problem, there are others with more nous that are. I think I’ve become a bit paranoid now.
    Bloggers like No 49 W.B.A.78. Can’t remember if I’ve seen his name before (doesn’t really matter as Shadrag is now using genuine posters names, Hilltop and Baggieboy, although he makes it stupidly obvious.) Anyway, at first reading I dismissed 78 as a clever Dingle trying to sew discord. Then I realsied that I have a mate that follows us home and away yet spends the entire game criticising the team and running players down and I’m branding all these types as undercover Dingles. If you’re a Baggie 78 I apologise.
    In my camp are Warren, Forever, Cyril, Happy and quite a few others who’s glasses are probably more than half full. I remember the days of Trever Summers when there was virtually no pleasure to be had in attending games, the football was dire, wins were usually more by accident than design and if we miraculously came across a decent player he was soon on his way to another club. People complaining about JP obviously weren’t around then or have very selective memories.
    Then there are the likes of Bomber and dannobaggs. More sceptical and probably realistic than me. I have often disagreed with both but respect the fact that they put forward well thought out and reasoned points.
    Then there’s DLB. A bit of a one off. Obviously a committed Baggies fanatic but unable to praise one player without abusing another. All I’ll say DLB is that like many on here I often agree with your points. You only spoil your credibility by calling players and sometimes other bloggers, donkeys, idiots, morons etc.
    As someone said before, shame the E&S can’t make people register under one name.

    Report abuse

  54. 54
    Baggieboy

    Are you kidding me? Dreadfull in his one hame in 4th division, the bloke is mentally unstable, having said that maybe he’d probably fit in at least with those of you that think it would be a brilliant signing!!! However he is on a free so I guess that is the attraction for us again. With his attitude he’d end up running the show as RDM is wet as they come!!! Although he’d be no worse than anything in the last few weeks. Perhaps we should get Jason Mac and Barnsey in as they are free too and have experience!! This is Embarassing

    Report abuse

  55. 55
    Shropshirebaggie

    13 – normally I’d agree, but some of the abuse he was sujected to was discraceful. Racist abuse has no place in football or in society and the sooner its eradicated the better.

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