Whites fury at Meite bid

10:17am Thursday 31st July 2008

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WANDERERS have laughed off a renewed £1.5million bid from West Brom for defender Abdoulaye Meite.

The Baggies upped their offer from £1.25million last night but are understood to still be well short of the valuation put on the Ivory Coast international’s head by Gary Megson.

West Brom boss Tony Mowbray yesterday had a £2m bid accepted by Charlton for Algerian defender Madjid Bougherra – a player who has no experience of playing in the top flight. And that is why Megson is digging in his heels over the 27-year-old centre-half, who he claims is still a viable option in his first-team squad.

A Wanderers source said: “The offer is derisory. Abdoulaye is a player with considerable Premier League experience.

“Gary is not openly touting Abdoulaye for a transfer and will not let him go for anything other than market value.”

Meite, pictured, has not figured for Wanderers since his refusal to play the second half against Manchester United at Old Trafford back in April with his side two-goals down at half-time.

He was allowed extra time off during the summer to sort out his future and did not travel with the squad to their pre-season training camp in Austria.

Meite aside, Gary Cahill and Andy O’Brien are the only other senior centre-backs in the Wanderers squad.

Youngster Jaroslaw Fojut is untested at Premiership level, while Gretar Steinsson, who can play in the middle, is more comfortable at full-back.

The defender’s future at the Reebok remains bleak, but Megson is prepared to be stubborn and hold out for the funds he believes will help him purchase a suitable replacement.