Bristol City have rejected an approach for Robins defender Danny Coles and told Rangers not to bother pursuing their interest in the player.
The talented 22-year old Bristolian can play at right-back or centre-back and Ian Holloway has long been a keen admirer of the defender’s abilities, only for City to reject any forthcoming approach in the near future.
Robins player-boss Brian Tinnion today confirmed that Rangers were interested in signing the player and had made an initial enquiry but denied that a firm offer had been made. He said:
"We didn't even entertain the idea of letting him go.
"An enquiry was made about Danny and I think QPR were interested in offering players in exchange. But it didn't even get that far because our chairman told them straight away we weren't interested.
"Danny and Tommy Doherty are obviously two of our players who are being talked about at the moment, but they both have two years on their contracts here and we want them to stay with us.
"Everybody has their price, but we aren't interested in selling them. If it was going to happen, it would have to involve the sort of offer that would seriously benefit this football club."
Ollie has made no secret of his desire to bring two Bristol talents in Doherty and Coles to Loftus Road this close season, but City have made it clear that Rangers will have to break the bank if any offer is going to come close to tempting the West Country club to selling.
Both players are considered City’s brightest talents and last season the club rejected a £500,000 offer for Coles, and it is thought it would take a seven-figure fee for the board to consider letting him go. He signed a one-year extension to his contract in November, which could keep him at the club until 2006.
Meanwhile, Italian press have reported that Benito Carbone- a target for new Rangers advisor and agent Gianni Paladini has signed for newly promoted Seria B side Catanzaro from Parma. The Southern Italian side have nipped in to sign the talented forward despite strong interest from Paladini to bring Carbone back to England with Rangers. Carbone had an unhappy time in England with Sheffield Wednesday, Bradford, Middlesborough and Derby before returning home two years ago to flourish in his home country with Parma.
Paladini has this week been in deep discussions with Watford Chairman Graham Simpson over a compensation fee for Rangers bound Lee Cook. The Hornets boss is holding out for a £200,000+ deal but Rangers are unwilling to match the price set. Paladini and the Rangers representatives are looking to discuss the possibility of lowering the price to a more reasonable £150,000. If a fee cannot be agreed in the coming week’s the clubs will have to go to a tribunal to set the price.
For all the latest news from Loftus Road log onto QPR MAD- the first place for up-to the minute news on your favourite club.
It promises to be a busy summer. Share it with FOOTY MAD- as mad about football as you are!