Aidy waiting for cash from Shittu sale

11:00am Friday 18th July 2008

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Aidy Boothroyd's plans to bring in at least three new faces have been thrown up in the air after Dan Shittu’s move to Glasgow Rangers fell through this week.

Watford accepted Rangers’ bid of £2.35m for the wantaway Nigerian defender last week but the move collapsed when the Scottish giants refused to meet Shittu’s wage demands.

The 27-year-old, who scored nine goals last season, was believed to be asking in the region of £25,000 per week, while Rangers were only prepared to stretch to £20,000.

“We have not managed to reach an agreement on that one so it looks as though we are finished there now,” said Gers boss Walter Smith.

Shittu desperately tried to resurrect the deal but his statement in midweek, which blamed Rangers for the collapse of the deal, hardly endeared him to the hierarchy at Ibrox.

“They put a proposal on the table which I accepted but when it came to putting the contract in writing the deal had changed,” said Shittu.

“This is where the breakdown in talks has come as far as I’m concerned.

“I know there is other interest out there but my first choice remains Rangers and I still believe a deal can be done. I certainly haven’t closed the door on the move but it’s up to Rangers,” the Nigerian international added.

On Wednesday, Boothroyd felt the deal was not dead and has been on the phone to Smith and the player in an attempt to seek a resolution.

“Rangers came in for Danny and the bid was accepted,” said the Watford manager. “They have failed to agree terms, from what I understand.

“I don’t think the deal is dead and it may still occur. It’s one of those things where personal needs aren’t met. It’s down to a lack of communication that needs resolving by the player and the club.”

Rangers, however, have cooled their interest and are thought to have turned their attention to Glenn Loovens, the Cardiff City defender, leaving Shittu and Watford in limbo.

Shittu is currently training on his own at the UCL training ground in London Colney and is waiting to see if interest from an unnamed Premiership and Championship club turns into anything concrete.

Boothroyd is keen for Shittu to be sold after admitting the money from the sale of the big defender is vital in his attempt to bring in some new recruits.

“Yes it does,” said Boothroyd when asked if his summer spending hinges on the sale of the defender. “We can’t go and get players, unless they are free transfers or loans, until that money comes in.

“That sometimes puts you at a disadvantage as other clubs see you have had some money come in and add one or two hundred thousand to the price.”

The manager revealed that rumoured target Ian Harte was “not in my plans” while he would be priced out of a move for MK Dons skipper Keith Andrews “I like Keith a lot,” admitted Boothroyd, “but, financially, he might be a bit too far for us and I’ve got other central midfield players here.”

The manager has not ruled out the possibility of bringing in a midfielder but his priorities currently lie elsewhere.

“We need a left-sided player, to back up Jobi and push Mat Sadler,” he said. “We also need another right-back.

“That’s an area where you start most of your attacks and we need more competition there. We need a footballing right back.

“I would possibly like a central midfield but that depends on what goes on elsewhere.

“I’m quite settled with what I’ve got,” he added. “I feel we are not far away from being a real powerful force.

“We are just in need of a couple to give us strength and depth.”