Source: Daily_Mail
Fulham's £3.5m bid for Cameron Jerome rejected by Birmingham
Fulham have had a bid for Birmingham striker Cameron Jerome rejected by the npower Championship club, Craven Cottage manager Martin Jol has confirmed. [LNB] Jol revealed he did not think the Barclays Premier League club would increase their offer, understood to be around ?3.5million. [LNB]'We made a bid we thought was realistic,' said Jol. [LNB] Won't come cheap: Birmingham striker Cameron Jerome (bottom)[LNB]The Fulham manager also revealed England striker Bobby Zamora had broken his hand in the 3-0 Europa League win over NSI Runavik last week, and that this was the reason behind his failed attempt to sign Jerome.[LNB]Jol said: 'If it would've been his foot, we would've had a problem, and that is why we made a bid for this other striker.'[LNB]He added: 'We made a bid we thought was realistic, and they rejected that, so that was that.'[LNB]Jol admitted 24-year-old Jerome did not boast a particularly impressive goalscoring record, but said: 'He's good in the air, quick, and he would be a good back-up for Bobby.'[LNB]There has been speculation linking Zamora with a return to Tottenham in a swap deal with Peter Crouch but Jol dismissed it.[LNB] Helping hand: Fulham need further firepower after Bobby Zamora's injury[LNB]He added: 'Bobby Zamora is probably one of the most gifted players in England as a number nine.'[LNB]Jol also insisted Fulham had made no offer for ADO Den Haag duo Wesley Verhoek and Lex Immers and said he hadno interest in signing Newcastle outcast Joey Barton.[LNB]Fulham have already signed two new midfielders in Marcel Gecov and Pajtim Kasami, both of whom were officially unveiled on Wednesday.[LNB]The Fulham boss said: 'Marcel Gecov is a Danny Murphy type of player, who can play a little bit more advanced as well. He's a ginger but he's a real ginger - he's very versatile, he can play, he can tackle as well. Pajtim is a very talentedplayer, gifted player.'[LNB] Options: Martin Jol has the likes of Andrew Johnson available up front[LNB]Swiss youngster Kasami, who listed Zinedine Zidane as his hero, returned the compliment, saying: 'Martin Jol is the reason I'm here.'[LNB]Czech Republic Under 21 internationalGecov added: 'I'm looking to contribute as much as I can. I'll definitely work hard for it.'[LNB] Jerome, 24, was on Stoke's radar earlier this summer when they made a double bid for him and prized centre-back Scott Dann, which was also rebuffed by Blues. [LNB]City's hierarchy are believed to be willing to consider selling Jerome but only if the price is right, with a more significant bid needed to tempt them to part with his services. [LNB]That could force the hand of Potters boss Tony Pulis and other Barclays Premier League sides, including Bolton, reported to be interested in the pacy frontman.[LNB] CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE FANTASY FOOTBALL GAMEFulham set to beat Bolton and Stoke to ?4m-rated striker Jerome Fulham plan double swoop on Den Haag's Dutch duo Verhoek and ImmersBaird has sights set on extending Fulham's European adventure with Split victory[LNB]
