Middlesbrough have had a #9million bid for Ugo Ehiogu turned down by Aston Villa.

This whole thing is madness. Boro are crazy for offering so much in transfer climate and Villa are even worse for rejecting it.

A player I'd like to see at St James' but maybe for 4-5 million, not 9 mill.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2000

Answers

50% of his transfer fee goes to WBA which is why he's costing so much and why no-one will buy him. not sure if Southgate's got a similar clause in his contract when he left Crystal Palace but i wouldn't be surprised...

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2000

I thought Villa and WBA cam to an agreement to delete that clause from the transfer agreement with WBA getting around 1 million for their troubles.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2000

I strongly suspect that WBA have agreed to accept a fixed sum - probably around #2mm - instead of the original agreement for 50% of any profit, because Villa convinced them that unless they played ball they would finish up getting 50% of SFA when Ehiogu left Villa on a Bosman.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2000

Ehiogu is the best CB available right now, and he'd be a good acquisition - but not for #10 million, which is what Villa seem to want.
In reality, the don't want him to leave and he's still got almost 2 years left on his contract, so Villa don't need to rush to sell him.
However, another key factor here is Ehiogu's own wishes. My instinct is that if a credible club offered #8+ million for him, and HE wanted to go there, then a deal would be done. He clearly doesn't want to go to Boro - surprise, surprise( ;-{) ).

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2000

Very true Clarky.

I'd imagine Ugo would want to play for us but Bobby and the Board wouldn't pay 8 mill for him at the minute. Hopefully in the summer when everything is sorted out transfer wise we make a bid, Villa would be getting wary of him walking away for a free.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2000

What Villa really want is a player plus cash deal to artificially inflate their cut of the deal - I can't immediately think of any Boro players that Villa would want. I 'd imagine that Arsenal must be half interested.....Parlour plus #4 mill?

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2000

His agent is saying that he wants to stay put until an announcement is made on the future of transfers.....greedy bastard will probably then demand that the 8-9 million be paid straight to him....

Anyone wanna bet that I'm wrong?

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2000

He'd have to keep an eye on Shearer...

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2000