Source: Telegraph
Steve Bruce: Manchester City 'disgusting' over treatment of Wilson Palacios
Bruce claimed City had no intention of signing Palacios, the Honduras midfielder, when they approached Wigan for permission to talk to the player earlier this month.[LNB]Instead he has accused Wigan's north west rivals of hatching a plot to use Palacios, who has since signed for Tottenham for £14 million, to sign Craig Bellamy from West Ham United.[LNB]Bruce believes that City struck a "gentleman's agreement" with Tottenham over Palacios and deliberately stepped aside on the understanding that the London club did not pursue their interest in Bellamy.[LNB]That cleared the way for Tottenham, who had earmarked Bellamy as a January signing, to clinch Palacios's signature after they also offered him an improved contract after the player rejected their original personal terms of £20,000-a-week.[LNB]Bruce could not hide his anger on Tuesday at City's behaviour and accused them of making Wigan the innocent victims of a dirty tricks cam paign ultimately aimed at landing Bellamy.[LNB]"They had no intention of signing Palacios. They used the boy as a weapon and used our club as a vehicle just to get Bellamy," claimed Bruce, whose side entertain Liverpool on Wednesday night.[LNB]"I have to say Manchester City's behaviour was absolutely disgusting.[LNB]"If they had not come in a week last Friday and unsettled the boy, he would have signed a contract for us.[LNB]"The player would have signed. He was wobbling and wasn't sure about going to London.[LNB]"We had offered him a contract and he was on the verge of signing that contract. We even went as far as to have the papers drawn up.[LNB]"Then Manchester City ring him and it's a different ball game.[LNB]"It's a total joke. They took the p*ss out of us to be honest.[LNB]"They've shown a lack of respect for this football club and the player himself."[LNB]As well as Palacios, Wigan have lost Emile Heskey since their last game against City at Eastlands on January 17.[LNB]But they have signed Middlesbrough striker Mido on loan, Colombian international striker Hugo Rodallega and Crystal Palace midfielder Ben Watson.[LNB]Mido is expected to link up with fellow Egyptian forward Amr Zaki against Rafa Benitez's side.[LNB]But right-sided midfielder Antonio Valencia (hamstring) and defender Titus Bramble (suspended) are missing while former Liverpool keeper Chris Kirkland is a doubt with a back injury. [LNB]
