West Bromwich Albion FC

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• Founded:1878
• Manager:Roy Hodgson

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Baggies give up on Meite

03 Aug 2008 - 15:37:26

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West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Mowbray has signalled an end to his club's hopes of signing central defender Abdoulaye Meite from Bolton Wanderers.

Mowbray had hoped to add the 27-year-old Ivory Coast international to his squad, but has seen his efforts end in failure, with the Baggies unable to meet the asking price of their Premier League rivals.

Mowbray said: "We made an enquiry for the player, but we couldn't reach an agreement so we move on. I would suggest it is dead in the water.

"My philosophy when you've got an interest in a player is that you know what your value of that footballer is. If it can't be done, it can't be done and you move on."

Meite joined Bolton in the summer of 2006 from French club Marseille and has gone on to score twice in 70 appearances for the Trotters.

Meanwhile, Madjid Bougherra has revealed just how close he came to signing for the Baggies, before he eventually joined Rangers from Charlton Athletic.

He admitted: "At first I wanted to stay in the Premier League and I had the pen in my hand to sign.

"Then, at the last minute, they said that the chairman wasn't here and I had to wait. So I said, okay, I would come back tomorrow.

"Then the gaffer called me up about Rangers and spoke very well with me and I chose Rangers. It was very difficult to leave England, but I think this was a good choice."