Blues set to miss out on Bowyer
Friday, 3 January 2003 21:06Birmingham are set to lose out in their ambitious attempt to sign Leeds United midfielder Lee Bowyer until the end of the season. Sources close to the club indicate that Blues have all but abandoned hopes of luring Bowyer, who celebrated his 26th birthday today, to St Andrews on a short term basis.
Blues, given permission to speak to Bowyer when the two clubs met on New Year's Day, were willing to offer lucrative terms to the England player who will be entitled to leave Elland Road on a Bosman free transfer in the summer. They were prepared to match Bowyer's £30,000-a-week salary and also award him and Leeds a substantial bonus if they retained their Premiership status.
City were more than happy just to give Bowyer the chance to play for them until the end of the season with no strings attached over possible extension to the arrangement. But Bowyer, who has also been linked with moves to Tottenham and Newcastle United, rejected Blues' package.
Bowyer, who came close to joining Liverpool last summer, has reached stalemate with Leeds over signing a new contract. His short-term capture would have followed the trend that Blues have so far adopted since the transfer window re-opened.
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
