Merson Deal: Lee breaks silence UPDATED

By singingshiver & 4two
July 10 2003

Paul Merson has returned to Portsmouth to try and sort out a deal with the club that would see him join Walsall on a free transfer. Merson is hoping Portsmouth will settle all or most of his contract so that Walsall can fund the deal.

Lee said

"Paul is now in talks with Portsmouth FC to see if they can reach an agreement on his outstanding contract. We are both hopeful that this can be achieved"

Sources of thesaddlersfc are suggesting that Walsall have offered Merson around £2,000 a week which is much less than the £10,000 a week he earns at Pompey. If Merson can get an 80% settlement on his Portsmouth contract then deal can go ahead without Merson losing out financially.

But Portsmouth are unlikely to offer more than a 50% settlement as they have already agreed to release with no transfer fee. This would mean that Merson would be £3,000 a week out of pocket and then has to decide what he wants to do.


UPDATED:
According to Skysportsnews, Colin Lee has confirmed that Paul Merson has held constructive talks with the club and has agreed to take a significant pay cut.