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Sullivan Wants Town?
Sullivan Wants Town?
Sunday, 24th Jun 2007 10:54

A tabloid report claims Birmingham City owner David Sullivan wants to buy Town. The Daily and Sunday Sport proprietor is on the verge of selling the Midlands club and is reported to want to turn his attention to the Blues.

Sullivan is said to want to buy a club nearer to his Essex home as he is frustrated with travelling to and from St Andrew's. The adult publications magnate is currently waiting on Hong Kong-based businessman Carson Yeung to complete his purchase of Birmingham.

The highly speculative report claims that £5 million would secure him Town, however, this figure is significantly lower than previous valuations of the club.

Despite much speculation regarding a write-down of the £28 million owed on the bond Town took out with Norwich Union to build the two new stands earlier in the decade, there has been little to suggest that the club are close to finding a single big investor to transform their financial position.

If there is any truth in the story and Sullivan does want to invest in Town, then the matter would have to be put to shareholders, who must be balloted on anyone taking more than 15% of the club's share capital.

Meanwhile, Sir Bobby Robson is reported to be making good progress as he fights cancer for the fifth time. The 74-year-old football legend is undergoing a second course of chemotherapy at present but hopes to attend Wimbledon this week. In May, small cancerous nodules were found in Robson's lungs.

Elsewhere, Alan Lee is claimed to be a Hull City target. Coventry City have previously been linked with a £500,000 move for the striker, who has a year remaining on his Town contract.

Boss Jim Magilton has repeatedly said that the Republic of Ireland international will be staying with the Blues, however, it is likely that the offer of a fee in that region could persuade the Town manager to part with his 17-goal top scorer as he looks to wheel and deal prior to the start of the new season.

Magilton's number one target remains Blackburn striker Franny Jeffers with the Blues previously reported to have made a third bid — apparently £1 million including top-ups - for the one-time England striker.

According to Sunday tabloid reports, Coventry City, managed by Iain Dowie, one of Magilton's closest friends, have had a bid for Jeffers turned down by Blackburn.

The report claims that Rovers want £750,000 up front for the ex-Everton, Arsenal and Charlton frontman, suggesting that Town's third bid — which is yet to be confirmed by either club — largely consists of add-ons based on appearances and goals.

And finally, there are further reports claiming that Darren Bent's £16 million move to Spurs from Charlton is edging ever closer. The proposed deal is understood to be £15 million up front plus another £1 million in top-ups. If that is the case, Town would receive £2.48 million from their 20%-of-profit sell-on plus further cash when the add-ons are triggered.

Get the fastest and most comprehensive Ipswich Town news service at ipswichtown.footballlatest.co.uk.


Photo: Action Images



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