Bruce To Bid For Blake?

By Aydan Anderson
December 27 2004

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has revealed he has made an 'enquiry' about Championship side Burnley's striker Robbie Blake ahead of the opening of the January transfer window.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has revealed that the club have made an official enquiry for Burnley striker Robbie Blake.

Blake, who has scored 13 goals already this season, has previously played in the Premier League for Bradford City. He was widely regarded as their best player during the season Bradford were relegated and had been tipped for a bigger stage during the early days of his career.

Now 28 years of age and a regular in the Burnley team, Blake is again starting to attract attention from the Premier League.

Blake plays most his football as a front man but can also operate on the left hand side of midfield if required. Not the quickest of players but a tricky forward with a bag of tricks and the ability to score goals.

Reports today have said that Bruce has already made an offer of £1.25m, but that bid seems a little high for a player of Blake's stature. If Blues were to sign Blake he would only be as cover to the main strikers but could certainly do a job coming off the subs bench. It would be safe to assume if Blues were to make a bid it would be a structured deal with around 500k being paid up front to the Lancashire club.

Steve Bruce confirmed the club had approached Burnley about Blake during an interview with Tom Ross. Bruce said when asked about the striker:

"We need some cover in attack. He is bright and lively and has scored a lot of goals in his career."

As for Blake it would seem he would relish the oppotunity to move to another club, but Blues are not the only club interested in him. Earlier this week Blake was linked with Wigan Athletic and clearly stated his desire to move to a bigger club:

"I remember saying I was happy and going nowhere, but Wigan are a completely different proposition and I don't feel I can turn down that chance at this moment in time. "

"It's strictly for professional reasons that I want to go and I hope the fans can accept that. It might be hard, but that's the way it is. I think this is the right move for me to get back in the Premiership. "

"Wigan might not be there yet, but I think they have a great chance of going up and I would just like to be given the opportunity. "

With blues already an established Premier League outfit, Blake may decide a better future lies at St Andrews.