Bristol City bid to sign England's World Cup goalkeeper David James
Bristol City are making an audacious bid to sign England's World Cup goalkeeper David James.
The Championship club have offered the 39-year-old a 12-month contract and are now awaiting a response.
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Bristol City bid to sign England's World Cup goalkeeper David James
A free agent after being released by crisis club Portsmouth in the summer, James was due to fly to Glasgow on Monday for talks with Celtic manager Neil Lennon. But he pulled out at the last moment, citing family reasons.
His refusal to travel to Scotland is likely to spark a stampede for his signature and Premier League champions Chelsea and West Ham United are reported to be interested in speaking to the former Watford and Liverpool keeper.
But James, who lives in Exeter with his new wife, is understood to want to stay in the West Country, hence Bristol City's sudden interest.
Robins manager Steve Coppell is searching for a new first-team goalkeeper and believes he can tempt James to commit to Ashton Gate for next season.
A City source today confirmed: "We have been in touch with David James' agent and offered him a one-year deal.
"When we heard he had pulled out of talks with Celtic, we decided to make a move last night.
"We have yet to speak to David James himself and things are still at agent level for now. But we have heard that he wants to remain in the West Country and we are waiting for his agent to come back to us with an answer.
"David James is a free agent and is sure to have a lot of offers but, if location is more important to him than money and status, then we feel we are in with a chance."
Bristol City are sure to face competition from clubs offering more money for a keeper who boasts a record number of Premier League appearances (536) and clean sheets.
Although James, who featured in three of England's four games at the World Cup in South Africa last month, failed to show for talks in Glasgow this week, Celtic have not given up hope of signing him.
Speaking to journalists at Glasgow airport before flying to Portugal for tonight's UEFA Champions League third qualifying round first leg against Braga, Celtic manager Neil Lennon said: "It is up to David James.
"We are still hopeful we can hold talks with him but, until we speak to him, we are not sure what the situation is."
31 Comments
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by Dave, Chicago
Thursday, July 29 2010, 12:03AM
“City are being linked to Englands first choice goalkeeper.
They are looking to build a state of the art brand new stadium and attract World Cup football to the West of England
That says it all about the intentions and the ambitions of OUR football club!
How about Yours?”
by ben, bristol
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 7:39PM
“maybe you should not pay your reserves 20k a week then!! just a small team in anglia!”
by Happy days, Ipswich
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 6:38PM
“You've just had one Ipswich player turn you down AND HE WAS ONLY A RESERVE
David James(theres only one Tina Turner) gotta have a laugh ain't yu
I suppose you need the publicity to keep the tickets selling!!!!”
by cookie, Sainsburys or not it would seem
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 6:01PM
“Gerry francis also at the gas as a player, mark walters at the gas, any at the 82ers? david james wont play for england again so he wont be one not that i think he'll sign more chance of him working the checkouts at the new ashton sainsburys”
by Bluebluemoon, # 83
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 4:41PM
“Tim as for your dont need the money comment... yeah right...I had to check the calender to see if it was April the 1st...Heres one for you, what was the last ex england player to play for Rovers/city..I can remember watching Alan Ball and Mick Channon down Eastville but surely theres been some since.”
by Simon, The Village
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 4:27PM
“Carson was only at the mem as he left his watch there after the friendly and popped back to get it this afternoon.”
by filton gas, filton
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 3:32PM
“i will have the last laff ben i am hearing from a source that scott carson was seen at the mem this afternoon expect to hear news on the brfc website later this evening
wouldn't mind david james though.”
by ben, bristol
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 3:11PM
“that was the funniest thing ever rovers thinking they were getting Scott Carson on loan, back of the brains queue that lot!”
by Paul, Whitchurch
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 3:05PM
“I believe Stephen Henderson should be given his chance.
I am glad the Grant deal fell through. Lets face it, if you are going to spend £1M on a goalkeeper (in either transfer fees or wages) you might as well try and buy the best one in the division, Keiren Westwood.”
by Raymond Pilkington, Marshfield
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 2:54PM
“"an if he comes to Bristol then it is a massive boost for the club & the city"
Unless those clueless councillors object because they are worried that the additional fumes from David James motor will blacken the windows of Southville Deli !”