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‘Not for sale’ – Nottingham Forest legend saw cheeky transfer bid rejected despite meeting release clause
Stuart Pearce once missed out on a transfer target despite triggering their release clause. The former Manchester City manager has revealed he had been keen to sign Steve Sidwell from Reading during his tenure. GettyPearce missed out on a transfer target despite activating his release clause[/caption] The former City boss was keen to sign Sidwell from ReadingGetty Pearce was in charge at the Etihad Stadium for two years between 2005 and 2007. However, his hopes of bringing Sidwell to the club were blocked by the Royals. The midfielder was understood to have a £2million release clause in his contract, prompting a cheeky bid from Pearce and City. Recalling the transfer saga in the wake of Morgan Gibbs-White’s failed move to Tottenham, Pearce told Drive: “I’ll tell you a little story about a release clause. “I was Manchester City manager, I’m sure (enough) time’s elapsed enough now for me to share this with you. “I wanted to sign Steve Sidwell from Reading, and I was made aware that any offers above £2 million would be his release clause. So I thought, ‘brilliant’. “So we made an offer to Reading of £2 million and £1 to make sure that release clause was put into practice, to which Reading turned around to us, ‘not for sale’. “And at that stage, I couldn’t turn around to Reading and say, ‘well, he must be because he’s got a release clause’, because that looks as though I’ve tapped the player up. So the deal didn’t go through.” Sidwell would instead remain at Reading until the summer of 2007 following an impressive debut season in the Premier League. City once again missed out on his signature, though, as he joined Chelsea on a free transfer. talkSPORTPearce saw a bid of £2,000,001 rejected by the Royals much to his surprise[/caption] A fear he could be accused of ‘tapping up’ Sidwell saw Pearce turn to other targetsAFP Meanwhile, another of Pearce’s former clubs are now embroiled in their own release clause debacle. Nottingham Forest accused Spurs of an illegal approach after Gibbs-White agreed a move to north London. It came after his £60million release clause was activated by the Europa League winners. Referencing the England international’s future, Pearce added: “The trouble in this day and age is that players have that much power. “I think so much time has elapsed down the line with Gibbs-White, I think eventually he’ll end up leaving Nottingham Forest. That’s his choice. “If he doesn’t want to go to Tottenham, he doesn’t have to, even if the release clause is triggered. GettyForest recently accused Spurs of an illegal approach after activating Gibbs-White’s release clause[/caption] “But it seems to me from the outside that enough noise has been made that he probably does want to move for whatever reason.” Forest’s accusations towards Spurs prompted Gibbs-White’s move to fall through just as quickly as it had come to fruition. The midfielder has subsequently returned to training for pre-season with his current side. Meanwhile, a legal complaint has been made against Spurs by Forest.
Stuart Pearce once missed out on a transfer target despite triggering their release clause.
The former Manchester City manager has revealed he had been keen to sign Steve Sidwell from Reading during his tenure.
Pearce was in charge at the Etihad Stadium for two years between 2005 and 2007.
However, his hopes of bringing Sidwell to the club were blocked by the Royals.
The midfielder was understood to have a £2million release clause in his contract, prompting a cheeky bid from Pearce and City.
Recalling the transfer saga in the wake of Morgan Gibbs-White’s failed move to Tottenham, Pearce told Drive: “I’ll tell you a little story about a release clause.
“I was Manchester City manager, I’m sure (enough) time’s elapsed enough now for me to share this with you.
“I wanted to sign Steve Sidwell from Reading, and I was made aware that any offers above £2 million would be his release clause. So I thought, ‘brilliant’.
“So we made an offer to Reading of £2 million and £1 to make sure that release clause was put into practice, to which Reading turned around to us, ‘not for sale’.
“And at that stage, I couldn’t turn around to Reading and say, ‘well, he must be because he’s got a release clause’, because that looks as though I’ve tapped the player up. So the deal didn’t go through.”
Sidwell would instead remain at Reading until the summer of 2007 following an impressive debut season in the Premier League.
City once again missed out on his signature, though, as he joined Chelsea on a free transfer.
Meanwhile, another of Pearce’s former clubs are now embroiled in their own release clause debacle.
Nottingham Forest accused Spurs of an illegal approach after Gibbs-White agreed a move to north London.
It came after his £60million release clause was activated by the Europa League winners.
Referencing the England international’s future, Pearce added: “The trouble in this day and age is that players have that much power.
“I think so much time has elapsed down the line with Gibbs-White, I think eventually he’ll end up leaving Nottingham Forest. That’s his choice.
“If he doesn’t want to go to Tottenham, he doesn’t have to, even if the release clause is triggered.
“But it seems to me from the outside that enough noise has been made that he probably does want to move for whatever reason.”
Forest’s accusations towards Spurs prompted Gibbs-White’s move to fall through just as quickly as it had come to fruition.
The midfielder has subsequently returned to training for pre-season with his current side.
Meanwhile, a legal complaint has been made against Spurs by Forest.
