Albion want double for Robbo
Albion have told Bolton Wanderers they must be double their offer to take Paul Robinson from the Hawthorns.
But the 30-year-old defender's six-year stay with the Baggies is coming to a close, after the one-time fans favourite's latest outburst over his future.
Robinson upset supporters by immediately declaring he would like to follow departed manager Tony Mowbray to Celtic – after already publicly stating his desire to stay in the Premier League following the Baggies' relegation.
While Mowbray is unlikely to follow Robinson's advice and make a move for him, another former Baggies boss in Bolton's Gary Megson has had a £500,000 bid swiftly rejected by his former club.
It is the second time in six months that Bolton have been accused of seriously undervaluing a player, having had a January bid for James Morrison also dismissed out of hand by chairman Jeremy Peace.
This all adds up to a renewed battle of wills between old adversaries in Peace and Megson but, despite their animosity, Robinson's move to Bolton is the most likely outcome.
But Albion want the Trotters to up their offer to closer to the £1million mark, although Megson is well aware that Robinson's controversial hints about leaving the Hawthorns have left his Baggies future under a cloud.
And the former Watford man is still under contract, so Albion are happy to stand firm over their asking price, but Megson is likely to only up his offer to £750,000.
He is unlikely to go higher for a player he only sees as back-up to Jlloyd Samuel.
But Albion are also keen to play the question of player futures 'by the book' and wait to give their new manager a final say on whether or not Robinson should be sold.
That search is now entering the key phase for Peace as he is expected to settle on a final shortlist this week of three from which he will conduct interviews – providing he gets clearance to speak to contenders in a job.
It will not be a problem for St Johnstone's promotion-winning manager Derek McInnes, whose club will not stand in his way if Peace brings the Albion opportunity to his door.
But it will be more of an issue if the interest in Darren Ferguson firms up.
