Bramble bid rejected

By Matthew Jones
June 25 2002

Ipswich have rejected a £4,200,000 offer from Newcastle for defender Titus Bramble after deeming the bid "nowhere near" their valuation.

Ipswich have rejected a £4,200,000 offer from Newcastle for defender Titus Bramble after deeming the bid "nowhere near" their valuation.

Bobby Robson is keen to lure the England Under-21 international defender to Tyneside and made his move for the player after he neared recovery after an Achilles tendon operation.

Bramble has earned many plaudits since Ipswich's arrival in the top flight, but suffered a dip in form as the club failed to see off the threat of relegation after just two years in the Premiership.

But despite his loss of form, Robson, and his chief scout Charlie Woods, have kept a close watching brief on the player and decided to make their move.

However, after Ipswich rejected the bid, it remains to be seen whether the club up their offer for Bramble. The player is thought to be keen on securing an immediate return to the top flight and link up with his former Portman Road colleague Kieron Dyer.

Both clubs refused to comment directly on the offer for Bramble, though Tractor Boys chairman David Sheepshanks confirmed the bid had been received but said it was "nowhere near" the valuation the club have of the particular player, so it was knocked back.