On a Sunday at this time of year, the redtops are full of plenty of juicy transfer rumours. I’m sure you can predict what the top story is.
The News of the World reports that Spurs are leading the chase to lure Jimmy Bullard away from Craven Cottage next month. That’s no surprise given Harry Redknapp’s cheeky persona – you can just imagine him popping up with a bid in January. I do hope that he sticks at what looks like a meagre £4m valuation because, if the board are determined to get top dollar for one of our star players, then it might give us a chance of holding onto Bullard.
Hodgson hinted yesterday that he was rather annoyed that Bullard’s contractual situation was overshadowing the progress that his side are making. Those comments seemed to suggest that he was irked by the fact he was having to spend his time talking about players leaving the club again – although previous Fulham managers would tell him that this is an occupational hazard of the job. The Times thinks that the current impasse has come about because Bullard has refused to extend his contract without a pay rise.
The only other rumour of note is a possible return to the Cottage for Steve Finnan, which surprises me. Finnan only left Anfield for Espanyol on the last day of the August transfer window, but injuries have hampered his attempts to adjust to Spanish football. The Irish international, who made 208 appearances between 1998 and 2003, has made a couple of substitute appearances for his new team so far. It had long been assumed that Spurs would bring Finnan back to the Premiership in January as Redknapp’s first signing, but the Spanish side seem keener on a permanent deal. Apparently, Blackburn, ourselves and a few Championship sides have notified Espanyol of our interest. I’d love to have Finn back but I’d be very surprised if it happened largely because we signed two right-backs in the summer (even if we’ve not seen too much of Frederik Stoor so far).
