Manchester City have made a new bid for Fulham midfielder Steed Malbranque.
City’s first offer, worth around £4m, was summarily rejected by Fulham. Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce confirmed that a second bid – believed to be £5m – has now been submitted for the French midfielder’s services.
“We’ve tabled a very substantial offer to Fulham,” he told Sky Sports News. “A very fair offer. We’re waiting on an answer from them basically. He’s a player I respect a great deal and I think he’ll benefit our club greatly.
“I would like to see him come and join us. The ball is in Fulham’s court and basically we’re waiting to hear from them. I think the offer we’ve put on the table is quite substantial and, if I was them, I’d take it.”
City’s rumoured bid only matches the £5m that Fulham paid to bring the talented midfielder to the Premiership from Lyon back in 2001. Malbranque’s record since then – scoring 38 goals and becoming the top division’s fourth highest assist maker – underlines his importance to Fulham, who are understand to not be entertaining the departure of a key member of Chris Coleman’s side.
