Mon Aug 03, 2015 1:29 pm
Was at the open training session today plus photo surly this is a good sign
Mon Aug 03, 2015 10:06 pm
West Bromwich Albion appear to have ended their pursuit of Wayne Hennessey and are now focused on bringing Cardiff City keeper David Marshall to The Hawthorns.
Cardiff fans chanted for club skipper Marshall to remain in South Wales as they attended an open training session and squad photo call on Monday.
But Tony Pulis now looks to be in a good position to land the Scottish international who has been with Cardiff for six years.
Marshall has told officials he wants to play in the Premier League again, a division where he excelled despite Cardiff’s relegation. Indeed he was named in Sky Sports Premier League Team of the Season.
Everton tried to sign him in January, such was his outstanding form between the posts.
Only a few weeks ago the odds were stacked firmly on Hennessey signing for Albion, particularly with Alex McCarthy having signed for Crystal Palace from QPR.
But a hand injury to Palace’s long-time number one Julian Speroni will keep the experienced goalkeeper out for the majority of August.
That coupled with the fact McCarthy has not featured in pre-season for Palace so far, means the number one position is Hennessey’s to lose now for the immediate future and it will be a shock if he isn’t lining up at Norwich on the opening day of the season.
Talks are progressing between Cardiff and Albion over the size of the fee with Marshall having three years remaining on his contract.
The Bluebirds reportedly rejected an early Albion bid although a second offer of £5million plus add-ons could clinch it.
Glasgow-born Marshall, 30, is suspended for the first three matches of the new season but will be keen to link up with international team-mates Darren Fletcher and James Morrison.
Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman is leading negotiations with Albion and it seems likely talks will carry on for the rest of the week.
All this comes at a time when Ben Foster is back on the training field, although the England keeper is not due back until October at the earliest.
Tue Aug 04, 2015 5:24 pm
Ben Foster back in training with West Brom (posted on his Twitter page).
That may mean the interest in Marshall is cooling (or they are less willing to meet Dalman's valuation)?
http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/08/04/do ... th-ben-fo/?