Bid Rejected For Charisteas?

Reports in Greece at the weekend apparently suggested Ipswich had failed with a bid to sign the Euro 2004 goal hero from his current club, Nuremburg, but I understand Town's interest is very much alive – to the extent that they are willing to pay him in the region of £30,000 a week to lead their promotion bid next season.

IPSWICH Town have moved a step closer to securing Nuremburg striker Angelos Charisteas after being given permission to speak to the Greek international, the EADT can today reveal.

While reports on the continent suggest a move is dead, I understand it is still very much alive after the newly relegated German club gave the Blues the green light to make Charisteas an offer.

Although Nuremburg have not yet agreed a fee with Ipswich, the two clubs are close enough in their valuation of around £2.5million, to allow Town chief executive Derek Bowden to speak with the player and his representatives. Ipswich made enquiries for the striker last month but made a positive move for the hit-man early last week and talks progressed over the weekend.

After being relegated last season Nuremburg are keen to off load the player they bought from Feyenoord for £2m on a four-year deal on wages of around £20,000 a week. The 28-year-old is away on holiday at the moment and the Blues plan to hold talks immediately he is available. They will be keen to clarify that he is still keen to play in England and that they can agree terms before making a definitive offer to the German club.

Charisteas, who famously scored the winning goal for Greece against Portugal in the Euro 2004 final, is well known to Blues overseas scout Simon Hunt who first spotted his talent and recommended him to Ipswich when they were last in the Premiership.