DAVID Cotterill's hopes of securing a permanent transfer to Sheffield United could be scuppered unless Wigan Athletic lower their valuation of the Wales international.
Cotterill spent the second half of last season on loan at Bramall Lane and is known to feature prominently on Kevin Blackwell's shopping list following a series of impressive displays during the club's late challenge for promotion.
The United manager is believed to have scheduled a further meeting with Cotterill's representatives later this week.
But sources close to the JJB Stadium say Blackwell's counterpart, Steve Bruc,e is refusing to accept less than £1.5 million for the 20-year-old winger.
Having identified a lack of pace as one of United's key weaknesses, Blackwell views Cotterill as a potential solution to one of the problems he must address before Championship competition resumes in August.
But he is unlikely to relish the prospect of being forced to pay such a substantial sum for a player who, despite commanding a £2m fee when he left Bristol City in 2006, has failed to establish himself as a Premier League regular since then.
Blackwell will hope the possibility of a plea for Cotterill himself could force Bruce to reconsider.
If not then United will explore alternative options with Lee Martin, another former Bramall Lane loanee, among those being monitored.
However, Martin's situation is also believed to be more complex than first thought ,with Sir Alex Ferguson apparently unwilling to make snap decisions about any of his home-grown fringe players.
John Halls, Blackwell's solitary signing in the transfer market since his February appointment, is a free agent after being released by Reading.
He has already held talks with officials at Bramall Lane about his chances of earning a permanent contract in South Yorkshire.
Halls ability to perform a variety of defensive roles could tempt United to offer him terms, particularly as the departure of Leigh Bromby has left them short of a utility man at the back.
http://www.thestar.co.uk/football/United-move-for-Cotterill-hinges.4125289.jp
What are we playing at
1.5 million in my opinion is a great price for Cotteril
Cotterill spent the second half of last season on loan at Bramall Lane and is known to feature prominently on Kevin Blackwell's shopping list following a series of impressive displays during the club's late challenge for promotion.
The United manager is believed to have scheduled a further meeting with Cotterill's representatives later this week.
But sources close to the JJB Stadium say Blackwell's counterpart, Steve Bruc,e is refusing to accept less than £1.5 million for the 20-year-old winger.
Having identified a lack of pace as one of United's key weaknesses, Blackwell views Cotterill as a potential solution to one of the problems he must address before Championship competition resumes in August.
But he is unlikely to relish the prospect of being forced to pay such a substantial sum for a player who, despite commanding a £2m fee when he left Bristol City in 2006, has failed to establish himself as a Premier League regular since then.
Blackwell will hope the possibility of a plea for Cotterill himself could force Bruce to reconsider.
If not then United will explore alternative options with Lee Martin, another former Bramall Lane loanee, among those being monitored.
However, Martin's situation is also believed to be more complex than first thought ,with Sir Alex Ferguson apparently unwilling to make snap decisions about any of his home-grown fringe players.
John Halls, Blackwell's solitary signing in the transfer market since his February appointment, is a free agent after being released by Reading.
He has already held talks with officials at Bramall Lane about his chances of earning a permanent contract in South Yorkshire.
Halls ability to perform a variety of defensive roles could tempt United to offer him terms, particularly as the departure of Leigh Bromby has left them short of a utility man at the back.
http://www.thestar.co.uk/football/United-move-for-Cotterill-hinges.4125289.jp
What are we playing at
1.5 million in my opinion is a great price for Cotteril
:cry2::rant::shakehead:
