Town boss George Burley has admitted that he tried to sign French left-midfielder Laurent Robert. The former PSG player recently signed for Bobby Robson's Newcastle for a fee of £10 million and £30,000 a week.

The Blues' boss said: "At the end of the day the price tag and the wage demands were well in excess of what a club like ours can pay. We have to accept that fact that we are competing in a league with other clubs who are prepared to pay, and equipped to pay, much more than to get the players they want."

As for Finidi George, Burley appears to be playing down the chances of the Nigerian joining: "I’m still hopeful that something can be sorted out. Finidi could well be in Ipswich to have a look round and have further talks later this week. Finidi’s agent is working on it and there is still a chance that he my come. But of course, there’s no guarantee."

Of his trip to watch Juventus and Napoli at the weekend he says: "I was looking at various players but nothing is likely to come of it yet."

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