BBC Sportfootball

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Related BBC sites

Page last updated at 13:17 GMT, Tuesday, 18 August 2009 14:17 UK

Swansea reject Wigan's Bodde bid

By David Dulin

Ferrie Bodde is still recovering from a serious knee injury
Ferrie Bodde is still recovering from a serious knee injury

Wigan have had a bid turned down for Swansea City's Dutch midfielder Ferrie Bodde.

New Latics boss Roberto Martinez said he would not raid his former club for players unless other teams made bids.

BBC Wales understands Wigan could be prepared to pay up to £4.5m for the 27-year-old after add-ons.

"Not only have we rejected the bid, but it's an offer we wouldn't even think twice about considering," said Swans chairman Huw Jenkins.

"In fact, the way it is structured, over such a long period of time and appearance related, it doesn't even constitute an offer.

"It certainly doesn't come anywhere near our valuation, especially when we have no intention of losing him.

"Ferrie and his agent are well aware of Wigan's interest. In fact, we have been speaking about a new deal for a number of weeks.

"The talks have been extremely positive and once Ferrie is fit and playing again then we'll be trying to tie him down to Swansea for the next few years."

Sousa keen to keep Bodde

Jenkins added: "Ferrie is more than happy here and is looking forward to getting himself match fit and pulling on a Swansea shirt again.

"He's training with the squad again after his knee injury and it should only be a few weeks before he is available for selection.

"He can't wait to make his comeback and reinforce Paulo Sousa's squad for the rest of the Championship campaign.''

Bodde was one of Martinez's first signings when he took over at the Liberty Stadium two years ago, joining from ADO Den Haag for £80,000.

Martinez has already taken Swans top scorer Jason Scotland for £2m to the DW Stadium and has now turned his attention to Bodde.

Bolton have also been thwarted in their attempts for the Dutchman after seeing a £2.5m bid turned down during the close season.

Bodde's future has been the subject of speculation for over a year. Last summer, he handed in a transfer request following interest from Derby who had two bids rejected.

Despite later changing his mind and signing a new contract, he was still linked with a move away until he picked up a cruciate knee ligament injury in the 3-2 home defeat to Birmingham last November.

Bodde has only recently resumed light training but throughout the summer his future has remained the subject of speculation.

Martinez last week told BBC Wales' Sport Wales programme: "Obviously if a player is in the market and he's going to move somewhere, you can understand that I know the players well and I always said that there are many players in that squad that can play in the Premier League.

"They are players that... had great seasons and it's the nature of the game, it's not because I moved into a team that the players are going to move on.

"I think it's the nature of how well Swansea City have performed in the past, they attracted many scouts, they attracted much interest.

"I know all the players... if any players are available in the market I will always have a look the same way that I do in the Dutch league, in the Scottish league, in the Spanish league and... the Championship for the Premiership is a very, very good market but that doesn't make any difference in terms of what club they're in."



Print Sponsor



see also
Bolton baulk at Bodde price tag
07 Aug 09 |  Swansea
Bodde returns to Swansea training
14 Jul 09 |  Swansea
Swans reject Bolton's Bodde bid
26 Jun 09 |  Swansea
Swans star Bodde out for season
22 Nov 08 |  Swansea
Bodde opts to stay with Swansea
15 Jul 08 |  Swansea
Bodde hands in transfer request
02 Jun 08 |  Swansea
Dutchman Bodde signs for Swansea
13 Jun 07 |  Swansea
BBC Sport Wales coverage
03 Oct 11 |  Wales


related bbc links:

related internet links:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites