Earnshaw Bagged - Fee Ageed With West Brom

Bon Voyage?
By Chris O'Brien
August 29 2004

Seasons of speculation and rumour could finally be coming to an end with the transfer window closure approaching. Cardiff City have agreed a fee with West Bromwich Albion to sell Robert Earnshaw, believed to be in the region of £3.5million.

Months and years of speculation could finally be over with Cardiff City agreeing a fee with West Bromwich Albion to sell striker Robert Earnshaw. A club statement has confirmed that owner Sam Hammam has accepted an offer from the Baggies thought to be in the region of £3.5million, and the Welsh international will now discuss terms with the Premiership club.

Earnshaw has been linked with the Midlands outfit for sometime, and after failing to land several strikers Gary Megson has opted to make a formal bid for the Zambian-born forward which the Bluebirds have been unable to turn down. It is now down to the player to secure a deal to the Premiership by agreeing personal terms.

It is thought the club are selling Earnshaw because he has decided he wants to leave Ninian Park. An indifferent start to the season has had the more pessimistic supporters claiming we could be in a relegation scrap this season and a player with Earnshaw's ambitions won't want to hang around when he knows he can play in the top flight. However, it is also thought the club are looking to sell the goalscorer to ease the crippling financial situation the Bluebirds are suffering.

There is no certain guarantee that Earnshaw will leave, although press reports would suggest the deal is very near completion. With Premiership money available, West Brom are likely to be able to offer Earnshaw the right terms to move, although speculation suggests another Premiership club could come in for the player before the window shuts. Everton, who could soon be saying good bye to star Wayne Rooney, are in the frame.

If the deal is done by the time the transfer window closes on Tuesday, many thanks to Earnshaw for his service to Cardiff City Football Club. His goals have helped the club climb from the basement to England's second flight and he deserves an opportunity to play at the highest level. He has also performed for Wales on the international scene, with a hat-trick already to his name against Scotland in the 'Battle of Britain' earlier this year.