Bluebirds target Robbie FowlerJul 5 2007
by Steve Tucker, Western Mail
CARDIFF CITY have launched an audacious bid to sign Premiership superstar Robbie Fowler, the Western Mail has learned.
The Bluebirds have offered a package to the 32-year-old marksman in the last 48 hours in a bold attempt to bring him to Ninian Park.
They are today awaiting a decision from the former Liverpool and England marksman.
Fowler (pictured right) is out of contract at Anfield, where his goal-scoring exploits have made him a legend, and has issued a ‘come and get me plea’ to other clubs.
Fowler has made it clear he is looking for first-team football next season, with a talk of a move to America and Australia.
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But, in what could prove the coup of the Championship close season if they pull it off, the Bluebirds have stepped in to become the first British team to try and secure Fowler’s services.
The main stumbling block will be Fowler’s wage demands, with him reportedly on £50,000 a week at Anfield.
But Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale and manager Dave Jones have been working hard to sell the Cardiff dream to Fowler in the hope he will take a substantial cut in salary to indulge in a Premiership promotion-push in the Welsh capital.
Ridsdale has already managed to sign Fowler once, back in 2001 during his time in charge of Leeds, when he took the striker to Elland Road in a £11m deal.
Fowler is one of three internationals the Bluebirds have been talking to in the last 48 hours, with a goalkeeper and a midfield player the other targets.
But the name of Fowler is the one that will attract most attention because he has been one of the Premiership’s top strikers since making his debut for the Reds back in 1993.
As well as two spells at Liverpool, Fowler has also played at Leeds and Manchester City.
His goal-scoring record is formidable with 216 strikes in 473 games throughout his career. He has 26 caps for England and seven international goals.
Fowler is just one of three top players the ambitious Bluebirds have offered deals to over the last two days.
One of those is a goalkeeper, something which has become an urgent need for Cardiff with the imminent departure of Neil Alexander. City are also awaiting a decision from an international midfielder as Jones looks to improve his squad ahead of the start of the new season on August 11.
Ridsdale declined to name the club’s targets, but said the quality of the players they were trying to attract was an indication of how far the club had progressed.
“We have been in contact with three players, each with international experience, and have offered them what we think are attractive packages,” said Ridsdale.
“We’re waiting for the three players to make a decision and are hopeful they will decide to come to Cardiff City.
“One of the players is a goalkeeper and it doesn’t take an expert to work out that one of the others is a striker.
“These are key positions we are keen to fill ahead of the new season.
“As for when we will know the outcome, well it could be today or it might not be until August.
“When you are trying to do deals like these, things can take time.
“I think the calibre of the players the club is approaching shows how much we’ve progressed in a short space of time.
“They way we are working is simple. Dave Jones identifies the players he wants to bring in and we then do our best to bring those players in.
“We’re confident when we start the new season we will have a better squad of players than we did for the previous campaign. That has always been our aim.”
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0600s...name_page.html
by Steve Tucker, Western Mail
CARDIFF CITY have launched an audacious bid to sign Premiership superstar Robbie Fowler, the Western Mail has learned.
The Bluebirds have offered a package to the 32-year-old marksman in the last 48 hours in a bold attempt to bring him to Ninian Park.
They are today awaiting a decision from the former Liverpool and England marksman.
Fowler (pictured right) is out of contract at Anfield, where his goal-scoring exploits have made him a legend, and has issued a ‘come and get me plea’ to other clubs.
Fowler has made it clear he is looking for first-team football next season, with a talk of a move to America and Australia.
Story continues
ADVERTISEMENT
But, in what could prove the coup of the Championship close season if they pull it off, the Bluebirds have stepped in to become the first British team to try and secure Fowler’s services.
The main stumbling block will be Fowler’s wage demands, with him reportedly on £50,000 a week at Anfield.
But Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale and manager Dave Jones have been working hard to sell the Cardiff dream to Fowler in the hope he will take a substantial cut in salary to indulge in a Premiership promotion-push in the Welsh capital.
Ridsdale has already managed to sign Fowler once, back in 2001 during his time in charge of Leeds, when he took the striker to Elland Road in a £11m deal.
Fowler is one of three internationals the Bluebirds have been talking to in the last 48 hours, with a goalkeeper and a midfield player the other targets.
But the name of Fowler is the one that will attract most attention because he has been one of the Premiership’s top strikers since making his debut for the Reds back in 1993.
As well as two spells at Liverpool, Fowler has also played at Leeds and Manchester City.
His goal-scoring record is formidable with 216 strikes in 473 games throughout his career. He has 26 caps for England and seven international goals.
Fowler is just one of three top players the ambitious Bluebirds have offered deals to over the last two days.
One of those is a goalkeeper, something which has become an urgent need for Cardiff with the imminent departure of Neil Alexander. City are also awaiting a decision from an international midfielder as Jones looks to improve his squad ahead of the start of the new season on August 11.
Ridsdale declined to name the club’s targets, but said the quality of the players they were trying to attract was an indication of how far the club had progressed.
“We have been in contact with three players, each with international experience, and have offered them what we think are attractive packages,” said Ridsdale.
“We’re waiting for the three players to make a decision and are hopeful they will decide to come to Cardiff City.
“One of the players is a goalkeeper and it doesn’t take an expert to work out that one of the others is a striker.
“These are key positions we are keen to fill ahead of the new season.
“As for when we will know the outcome, well it could be today or it might not be until August.
“When you are trying to do deals like these, things can take time.
“I think the calibre of the players the club is approaching shows how much we’ve progressed in a short space of time.
“They way we are working is simple. Dave Jones identifies the players he wants to bring in and we then do our best to bring those players in.
“We’re confident when we start the new season we will have a better squad of players than we did for the previous campaign. That has always been our aim.”
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0600s...name_page.html
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