By Chris O'Brien
July 8 2004

West Bromwich Albion are believed to be lining up a bid for Cardiff City striker Robert Earnshaw. Baggies boss Gary Megson is expected to offer £2million plus Robert Hulse and City target Sean Gregan for the services of the Zambian-born forward.

Local media reports are now suggesting that West Bromwich Albion are poised to make a bid to sign Cardiff City forward Robert Earnshaw. Despite months of speculation, it is starting to look likely that the Zambian-born Welsh international will be playing in Bluebirds colours for the start of the 2004/2005 season, and although several clubs have admitted interest in Earnshaw there has been no official news of a formal bid presented to the club.

Gary Megson is busy rebuilding his squad as the Midlands outfit prepare for Premiership football next term, but has been frustrated at missing out on players despite securing coups of defensive duo Darren Purse from rivals Birmingham City and Martin Albrechtsen from Danish Outfit Copenhagen for a record-breaking £2.7million. The club are desperately seeking a striker to bolster the forward ranks, and reports suggest they have already missed out on Paul Dickov, Mateja Kezman, Nwankwo Kanu and Andy Cole, meaning Megson could look to sign Earnshaw of who he is a keen admirer.

"A striker is something we need because we need to improve in that area - not so much in terms of creating chances but in terms of taking a higher percentage of those chances." proclaimed Megson at a recent press conference.

The Bluebirds are interested in Baggies defensive-minded midfielder Sean Gregan, and it is thought that he could be used as a pawn in a bid Gary Megson may make to City. Former Cardiff target Rob Hulse turned down a move to Ninian Park last term, but is now unsettled at the Hawthorns and he may also be included in a player and cash offer for Earnshaw. It is thought West Brom are prepared to offer both these players and a fee of £2million for Earnshaw, who could be guaranteed regular Premiership football with the Throstles.

West Brom value Gregan at around £500,000, a fee which would be too high for City to splash out on due to the dire financial situation at the club. The Guisborough -born player being included as a makeweight in an Earnshaw transfer could be Lennie Lawrence's best chance at signing his man ahead of the start of the Football League campaign in August. The Cardiff boss would also be interested in the possibility of Rob Hulse moving to South Wales. The club expressed keen interest in signing for former Crewe target-man last year, but at the last minute he opted against a move to the Bluebirds.

No club has yet made an official bid for Earnshaw, but it is thought that a number of top clubs including Fulham, Charlton Athletic and Glasgow Celtic were scared away by the audacious price tag hanging over the head of the pacey striker. It is thought City owner Sam Hammam wants between £4million and £6million for the pint-sized player, a figure which is exceedingly high for someone who is unproven in the top flight, particularly taking into account the current climate of the transfer market.

However, I cannot personally see this deal going through. There has been mass speculation that literally tens of clubs are interested in signing Earnshaw, but few have followed up interest and the Baggies may look for a less risky cheaper forward as they prepare for a return to the top flight. Cardiff City would also be looking for a slightly higher fee than the one suggested in press reports, and with Baggies boss Megson having already splashed out over £3.3million on transfers this summer, whether he could afford another expensive purchase is in question.