Baggies Updates

Old Firm pip Baggies to signature for second time this summer:

After a series of reports suggesting that a deal for Madjid Bougherra was as good as done, Rangers stepped in at the last minute and announced this morning that they had signed the player. This is reminiscent of the situation with Paddy McCourt earlier in the summer, where we were gazumped by Celtic. Whilst frustrating, the obvious appeal of Champions League football and playing in front of 60,000 means it is hard to begrudge the players for picking this option.

Bids increasing for Meite & Skjelbred

Bolton and Rosenborg have this week reported they have turned down bids for Abdoulaye Meite and Per Ciljan Skjelbred respectively. However it is expected that Peace and Mowbray will step up their pursuits of these targets. Albion have been linked with Meite all summer, and having been frozen out at the Reebok under ex-Baggies supremo Gary Megson a move is likely, though Albion will have to venture nearer Bolton`s £3M valuation.
Skjelbred is a young creative attacking midfielder, capped 3 times for Norway. Fans of Football Manager will be familiar with him due to his status as a wonderkid, and he was offered a junior contract with Liverpool in 2005.

Deadline for Takeover – Over

The deadline of July 31st that Jeremy Peace gave at the beginning of the summer has passed without incident, which presumably means that the Albion will carry on under his careful stewardship. No complaints here.

Still no Sponsor

Finally, and in another piece of financial news, the club are still to announce a shirt sponsor for the upcoming season. Bizarrely the new shirt is being retailed from the club shop with the option to have the sponsor ‘ironed on for free` when a deal is announced. Watch this space.