Nottingham Forest make fresh £500k bid for Birmingham winger Chris Burke
NOTTINGHAM Forest have upped the ante in their efforts to sign Chris Burke, by lodging a fresh £500,000 bid for the winger.
Championship rivals Birmingham had previously rejected the Reds' initial approach for the right-sided player.
But Burke could yet be a Forest player when the two sides meet at St Andrews on Saturday, after the club upped their bid for the 29-year-old.
It is likely to be a fiery occasion in the West Midlands, with Alex McLeish set to return to his former club for the first time.
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But the Forest manager will be hoping he is not the only former Blues man in the Forest ranks, after the club revived their efforts to sign his fellow Scotsman.
Burke is out of contract in the summer, when he could leave on a Bosman free transfer.
And Birmingham are understood to be keen to raise funds in the transfer market, as they look to address increasing financial problems.
So Forest will be hoping their improved bid is this time successful, as they look to add a much-needed wide man to their ranks at the City Ground.
Burke has plenty of experience in the Championship, both with Cardiff and Birmingham – with McLeish taking him to St Andrews shortly before leaving to take charge at Aston Villa.
But Burke did play under McLeish during his time in charge at Glasgow Rangers and he will be aware of the qualities he can bring to the Forest squad.
With Forest having already signed West Brom defender Gonzalo Jara on loan for the rest of the season, with a view to a permanent move, adding Burke would give McLeish's side an injection of quality down the right side.
Skipper Danny Collins has been impressed by the impact made by Chile international Jara in the games he has played so far.
"He is a quiet lad, he just goes about his business. But he is not afraid to put a foot in," said Collins.
"He looks like he is comfortable on the ball, he can pop it around and he has settled in well.
"I did not know too much about him, before he came here.
"But in training, he can tackle and he also likes to get forward and get involved.
"On top of that, we have Daniel Ayala coming back from injury, so there is a competition for places there at the back now, which is a good thing."
Paul Taylor's column: The Post's Forest reporter on the importance of bringing in Burke to the squad – see Pages 38-39
37 Comments
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by Shadow
Wednesday, January 30 2013, 7:36AM
“Watford did make SIX changes for the Bristol game. Including leading out their two main strikers. SOD is always better managing a side when he has a small squad to choose from.”
by OutfoxedYa2
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 11:51PM
“@ RedthruNthru... Are you trying to be funny or what????
Not a bad attempt though and I understand your frustrations but if you must copy me then don't forget to use the word MUG every now and then you muppet!”
by RedthruNthru
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 11:06PM
“Well how funny is that?
You get thrashed at home to Watford on Saturday and everyone's on here proclaiming them to be the best side in the division and certainties for auto promotion then just 3 days later your ex manager whom you sacked just a few weeks ago masterminds a 2-0 win against em!
Not only that but one of the goal scorers was Paul Anderson!
Just goes to show that...
Firstly, you can never judge a team by how well they do against tinpot Florest as your sooooooo cr@p that you'd make anyone look like world beaters, even Yeovil!
And secondly the good guy, in this case SOD, always wins in the end. Two wins on the spin for Bristol City now and with Barnsley beating Millwall tonight as well they're closing fast on Poor little Notts Florest.
Will be soooooo funny if they stay up at the expense of you lot!
The circus in the red and white BIG top lovingly called 'the city' ground just gets funnier and funnier and the ring master 'bargain much cheapness' Al-HaHaHasawi ain't got a clue what to do.
Ha ha ha ha
In Ginger Mourinho (part 2) and little faded red comfort blankets with 2 (yes 2!!!) gold stars we trust.”
by desnffc
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 10:55PM
“bcfcblues
what is it with west midlands clubs on our site are you bestest friends with oooo baggies cos really dont care what you lot have to say like buddybonny says we aint best pleased with him and for your CAULDRON OF FIRE ooooo really scared sunshine
yooooooooooooooooou reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeds”
by discopdave
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 10:06PM
“@John__Percy: #bcfc have turned down #nffc bid for Chris Burke and deal is apparently dead in the water. Fair to say Alex McLeish not entirely impressed”
by ohiored
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 9:38PM
“If wonder if the owner means the suprise of Bristol being 2 up against the team that kicked our a$$.
FTID.”
by tm2204
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 9:34PM
“@desnffc If I'd gone to watch SOD's team tonight I'd have seen them slay the 'Mighty' Watford 2-0!!!!!!”
by Red_Devil
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 9:28PM
“Tweet from Hasawi Jnr
"There are many 'surprises' coming. I just don't know when they're going to be announced."
Wonder what this means, surprises can be both good and bad!”
by RedNote
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 8:39PM
“BCFCBLUES you are going to have the BLUES on satd evening you twisted man!
YOU REDS!”
by Henrik1968
Tuesday, January 29 2013, 7:31PM
“Crystal Palace have agreed a deal with Peterborough for the transfer of midfielder George Boyd... So he ain't coming to Forest, wondering who will???
I hope we'll get Burke, that will in my opinion be a solid signing, still got some pace, a good delivery on the cross, and he scores some goals from time to time... But what about some pace for our defense???
If the owners mean it this season, it's time to really show it, come on!
GO REDS FOREVER!!!”