Martin O'Neill is cooling his interest in signing Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy after learning he would have to pay between £10-12million for his signature. Bellamy could become surplus to requirements at Anfield after just one season with the Merseysiders and he was only a substitute for the Champions League final. O'Neill worked successfully with Bellamy during a loan spell at Celtic two years ago but is not prepared to pay significantly over the odds for the Wales international. He will instead seek better value for money elsewhere unless the Reds drop their price.
West Brom full-back Paul Robinson is being monitored by O'Neill following the Baggies' failure to regain their top-flight status. Robinson has two years left of his contract and, although remaining committed to the Baggies, he also expressed a desire to play in the Premiership again after the play-off final defeat by Derby on Monday.
Wilfred Bouma filled the left-back role for most of last season but the departure of Jlloyd Samuel to Bolton leaves him short of cover and competition in that department. O'Neill's summer targets are being bankrolled by club owner Randy Lerner but the fact other clubs, including West Ham and Newcastle, have financial muscle could make his task more difficult.
"West Ham made their intentions very clear in January and they have made them clear now so I expect them to be (signing) very big players in the transfer market in the summer. "They have got renewed life from staying up and there's no doubt that, if they were already making inroads in January, they are certainly going to go for it now as well. "Newcastle will be giving it a big go now as well - as they always do."
and paul robinson isn't too bad a cover for bouma