Bruce sets Bellamy morning ultimatum
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Steve Bruce last night set a deadline of this morning for the Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy to decide whether he wanted to sign for Birmingham City, after the manager revealed that he had met the Welshman for lunch on Saturday in a bid to persuade him to move to St Andrew's.
Steve Bruce last night set a deadline of this morning for the Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy to decide whether he wanted to sign for Birmingham City, after the manager revealed that he had met the Welshman for lunch on Saturday in a bid to persuade him to move to St Andrew's.
A fee of around £6m has been agreed by the two clubs, but Bruce warned that unless Bellamy made up his mind by 9am today it could be too late to agree personal terms and pass a medical in time before the transfer window closes this evening. Bellamy, however, has hinted that he may stay at Newcastle and try to outlast the manager, Graeme Souness.
Bruce said: "We've agreed a fee and I have spoken to the boy and tried to sell him the benefits of our club. I reassured him that the club had great ambition. Of course whenever you leave a club like Newcastle you have to be sure about where you go.
"He's a fantastic centre- forward, he's British and he's 25 - that's why I am paying £6m for him. I have no qualms about his ability. Yes, he is fiery but all I am hoping is that he gives me the nod and then let me worry about the rest."
However, Bellamy said he still had the desire to play for Newcastle. "If I do leave I would love to go back to Newcastle when Souness goes," he said. "I would pay my own expenses - that is how much the club means to me. But I still do not know if I will be leaving.
"No one from the club told me about Birmingham's interest and the first I found out about it was from Sky. If things do not work out with that move then I will stay at Newcastle."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments