Gills bid to snap up Branch
15 Aug 2006 - 10:19:49
Gillingham have been linked with a loan swoop for Chester City striker Michael Branch as boss Ronnie Jepson aims to breathe new life into his forward line.
The much-travelled hitman, who has played for Everton, Manchester City, Birmingham, Wolves, Reading, Hull and Bradford, has been taken off the transfer list at the Deva Stadium after falling out with Chester boss Mark Wright last season.
Despite the pair patching up their differences, City chairman Stephen Vaughan has revealed interest from the Gills and Rochdale and will let Wright decide whether to let Branch leave.
The news comes a day after Jepson bemoaned the lack of funds available to take a quality striker to the Priestfield Stadium after witnessing Bradford's Dean Windass fire two goals past his side in Saturday's 4-2 defeat.
He told BBC Radio Kent: "It is impossible for a club like us to sign someone of the calibre of Windass.
"Strikers like that are worth their weight in gold. The sad fact is that is we can't afford strikers like that.
"To get a striker who are going to get 20 goals in a season is going to cost money and decent wages."