Megson to go on the attack

8:10am Thursday 31st July 2008

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GARY Megson is on the hunt to boost his attacking options following the departure for El-Hadji Diouf.

The Wanderers boss is targeting another striker, with £4million-rated Israel international Elyaniv Barda said to be in his sights. The Racing Genk star, who scored 16 goals in 32 appearances in the Belgian League last season, has also attracted the interest of German side Borussia Dortmund.

Barda is perhaps best known on these shores for keeping England’s Euro 2008 qualification hopes alive with a goal in Israel’s victory over Russia, only for Steve McClaren’s side to fail to live up to their end of the bargain with defeat against Croatia.

Megson’s warchest was boosted with Diouf’s £2.5m departure to Sunderland on Monday and, although he has a ready-made replacement in Dutch winger Riga, he still hopes to make one more significant signing this summer.

Wanderers’ efforts to sign Reading’s James Harper have reached an impasse, but the club have not given up on convincing Steve Coppell to let his prized midfielder leave the Madejski Stadium.

The Royals had rejected a rumoured offer of around £3m earlier this month but now, with cash from Diouf’s exit, Megson could be tempted into making a second offer.

Wanderers may well be rivalled once again by Middlesborough, who had also made an unsuccessful approach for Harper but now have extra money to spend, and a gap in their midfield ranks, after the £3.5m departure of youngster Lee Cattermole to Wigan Athletic.