Albion want Paddy McCourt
From The Belfast Telegraph
Quote:
Albion ready to Bag ace McCourt
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Derry City talisman Paddy McCourt may be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Cesc Fabregas next season.
The Northern Ireland international could be on his way to English Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion and he may have played his last game for his home town club.
Although McCourt's contract isn't up until November it's believed the Baggies are going to offer City in the region of £80,000 to have him on board for the start of next season, which may see Tony Mowbray's side facing the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.
This will be McCourt's second crack at making it big in England as the talented winger once strutted his stuff with Rochdale.
Manchester City were even on his trail, in fact it's thought City had a £1.5 million bid rejected by the then Second Division club.
In the 2003-04 campaign, McCourt managed just a handful of starts for Rochdale and had two spells away on trial with English First Division sides Norwich City and Crewe Alexandra, though neither club followed up their initial interest in him.
However Derry manager Stephen Kenny is adamant the 24-year-old, won't be going anywhere, at least until the season ends and he's hopeful the winger will sign a new deal with the Brandywell men.
"First of all West Brom or no other club has been in contact with me in regards Paddy, he's under contract until the end of the season, so he'll not be going anywhere. I know that the club are currently talking to Paddy, obviously I hope he signs a new deal but we just have to wait and see how that develops," said Kenny.
Club chairman Pat McDaid also echoed Kenny's sentiments: "We are very keen to Paddy McCourt at Derry City and contractual negotiations with him will continue. Paddy is a big part of our plans for the future. He's a very popular player within our support and we're all anxious to see him remain at Brandywell."
Whats the story here? £80,000? Are Derry that strapped for cash?
