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Tug of war for Bakke
by paul dews
MIDLANDS rivals Birmingham City and Aston Villa are scrapping it out for the signature of Leeds United midfielder Eirik Bakke.
The two Premiership clubs have expressed an interest in Bakke and are preparing their respective bids for the player.
The 27-year-old has suffered two years of injury torment at Leeds and a return to the Premiership would offer Bakke the chance of a clean break.
United boss Kevin Blackwell has strengthened his midfield in Bakke's absence with Sean Gregan, Jermaine Wright and Shaun Derry joining the club to fill that central role.
Bakke, one of just three remaining senior players from the David O'Leary era, has not expressed an interest in leaving Elland Road and any deal would have to be right for player and club.
Villa boss O'Leary is a long-time admirer of Bakke, while Blues boss Steve Bruce has stepped up his interest.
Bruce also has an ace up his sleeve, with United understood to be keen on recruiting Birmingham marksman Robbie Blake.
The former Bradford striker is in danger of falling out of favour at Birmingham less than seven months after joining the club in a £1.25m deal from Championship outfit Burnley.
Blake can operate up front and on the flanks and would provide United boss Kevin Blackwell with another option.
The transfer window shuts on August 31 and Blackwell knows he must finalise his squad by then.
Tug of war for Bakke
by paul dews
MIDLANDS rivals Birmingham City and Aston Villa are scrapping it out for the signature of Leeds United midfielder Eirik Bakke.
The two Premiership clubs have expressed an interest in Bakke and are preparing their respective bids for the player.
The 27-year-old has suffered two years of injury torment at Leeds and a return to the Premiership would offer Bakke the chance of a clean break.
United boss Kevin Blackwell has strengthened his midfield in Bakke's absence with Sean Gregan, Jermaine Wright and Shaun Derry joining the club to fill that central role.
Bakke, one of just three remaining senior players from the David O'Leary era, has not expressed an interest in leaving Elland Road and any deal would have to be right for player and club.
Villa boss O'Leary is a long-time admirer of Bakke, while Blues boss Steve Bruce has stepped up his interest.
Bruce also has an ace up his sleeve, with United understood to be keen on recruiting Birmingham marksman Robbie Blake.
The former Bradford striker is in danger of falling out of favour at Birmingham less than seven months after joining the club in a £1.25m deal from Championship outfit Burnley.
Blake can operate up front and on the flanks and would provide United boss Kevin Blackwell with another option.
The transfer window shuts on August 31 and Blackwell knows he must finalise his squad by then.