Albion set for Pablo Ibanez signing
Friday 28th May 2010, 6:01AM BST.
Albion are hopeful of signing Pablo Ibanez in the next few days after beating off a last-ditch effort by Celtic to snap up Steven Reid.
Spain international centre-back Ibanez was due in the Midlands for talks today, just hours after Reid became the Baggies’ second signing of the summer.
Hawthorns officials are now optimistic they can strike a deal to secure Ibanez on a free transfer from Atletico Madrid.
The 28-year-old is believed to have flown into England last night and is expected to hold talks with the Baggies today and possibly begin his medical.
Fresh from a notable victory over Celtic in the battle for Reid, Albion are confident they have the basis of an agreement with the 6ft 3in tall stopper over a three-year contract.
But, contrary to reports in his homeland, a deal has not yet been concluded and the finer details of personal terms will form part of the discussions over the coming days.
Ibanez is a free agent after calling time on his Atletico career and has reportedly expressed a desire to continue his career outside Spain.
The defender was a regular for club and country during his first four years at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, but in 2008 reportedly agreed to join Real Madrid as part of a candidate’s campaign for the Real presidency.
But the candidate was defeated and Ibanez was forced to stay with Atletico, since when his form has suffered.
With a move to the Hawthorns he will join Reid, who last night joined Gabriel Tamas in converting his loan at the end of last season into a permanent deal.
Reid has agreed a two-year contract with a further year’s option in the club’s favour and will move officially on July 1.
Baggies head coach Roberto Di Matteo said: “We’re delighted Steven has agreed to rejoin us on a permanent basis. He made a big impact last season both on and off the field.
“He was a consistent performer and also great in the dressing room. ‘Reidy’ is a really positive character and you can never have too many of those in your squad.
“Having spent the last six or so years in the Premier League, he knows the division inside out and that kind of experience could prove invaluable.”
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I personally think this is great news.
It might not work, like Valero didn’t, but ultimately it’s costing us nothing to sign him and every signing is going to be a risk.
We’re talking about a bloke who has been previously targeted by Liverpool, Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid, with £20m figures being thrown about.
With that in mind, he surely has greater pedigree than Meite and Barnett? If he fails, we still have Olsson and Tamas.
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Well done for getting Reid in. Securing Tamas and Reid early after impressive loan spells was never going to be easy even if it was in our gift to sort out. We have for once been swift in this area. Hopefully Ibanez will add more at the back. He was earlier in his career touted for Arsenal and Man U. If we can keep him fit then he could be a very useful addition. This may seem like doing things on the cheap but if he’s good enough then he will do for me. He did represent Spain in the last world cup so he must have something about him.
Interesting that a certain evening mail correspondant was anticipating no activity at the Hawthorns for a couple of weeks only earlier this week. Egg on your face. Or is it his annual holiday time.
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I reckon Valero will be back now too. Having another Spaniard in the Team will help each of them settle down better, which I think was a factor for Valero the first time around. .
If they click we are looking good!!
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I hope we can get Ibanez, he sounds like a player ready to rebuild what was a glittering career and at 28 he is still in his prime.
However dont be fooled into thinking this is a cheap deal, his wages will be high although arriving on a free.
On another note has anyone else heard the rumour re another free transfer Kris Boyd?
An Albion scout has been a regular visitor at Ibrox this season, rumour is he was watching Boyd and Bougheera (not sure on the spelling) the centr half. However if we sign Pablo im guessing we will start to look at forwards.
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Kris Boyd would be a good foil for either Bednar, Beattie or even Miller if he learns to hold the ball up. However he has been oft linked to these parts in the last few seasons and has shown reluctance to move. If he did my guess is McCleish would have first refusal. Bougheera we were linked with 2 seasons ago when he went from Charlton. Not sure how he has done at the Gers but if Ibanez comes then do we need him. Both of these may well qualify under the 8 ‘home grown’ rule (for want of a better phrase!)so there may be mileage in your claim Bomber.
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boyd is going to newcastle so i hear as for boughera he let us down last time when he was on his way to the hawthorns and done a u turn and went to rangers not sure if fans would welcome the bloke after that
any news on beattie ?
it seems to of gone quiet this week
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Looks like another good signing, he might help valero to settle down. Now i think we need a Striker, 2 full backs and a goalkeeper and maybe a few additions with premier league experience
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A mate of mine plays football in the Dudley & Cradley league, so far he reckons there has been no interest from Celtic. So there is a player left in Europe they’ve not been linked with after all! ;-)
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why have we gone for reid, he couldnt make rovers starting 11? also hunt from hull any body from the basement clubs its crazy, they get relegated because of these players efforts, get it
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I don’t think having another Spanish player will make much difference with the Valero situation.RDM has said he would be happy to have him back,because he does have quality,but Valero himself obviously wants to stay in Spanish football,and JP would be happy to receive a transfer fee of 3-4 million to use in other ways,hopefully towards a decent striker (well…he may give the manager half of it if he’s in a good mood).Ibanez must have ability,but club politics can affect players in Spain,so a fresh start in another country might be just what he needs.
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Signing players early is a double-edged sword.
On the down side we have to pay them in the close season with no ‘gate’ income. On the up side, they settle quicker in the close season and can train with us ready for the off. You and I don’t have to worry about minute detail like this, but I think there has been a shift in policy at the top. If we can stay up with the cash flow in the Prem, our ground may grow too even without a sugar daddy. Morgan has taken some stick over his Liddypol connections, but he’s got it right on The Moulinex redevelopment. Can’t say I’d fancy a pie n’ pint after it’s been through a Moulinex though.
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11, i do think that a 40-50,000 stadium is a tad ambitious though in the middle of wulvamptun, mr morgan must have other plans for it,ie holding the ALBION supporters club meetings there and moving the wolves supporters club meetings to the snug of the red lion,aye boing boing
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all the wolves fans getting ded xcited about there new stadium, now its arose that it will only be built if they stay in the prem,mite as well rip the plans up then,aye boing boing
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