George Burley said last night that Finidi George should know all about the Blues interest in him as Town have been negotiating with his agent. Finidi said yesterday that he knew nothing of Town's offer and that he would have to receive a "more important" offer if he was to leave Spain.
Burley said: "We have made contact with the player through his agent and as far as we are concerned we are waiting to hear back as to whether he accepts the personal terms on offer. I will be speaking to his agent again now we are back from our trip and we expect and answer one way or another by the end of the week."
In Spain Real Mallorca president Mareo Alemany has said that he will have to let one player go over the summer to balance the books after the signing of Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto'o.
Finidi joined Real Mallorca from Real Betis last summer for £2.5m. It is though that Town and the Balearic club have agreed a £4m fee. Finidi is reported to have an £18.5m release clause in his contract which runs out in 2003.
George Burley said yesterday that he had other targets should the Finidi deal break down. It seems there may be more than one being worked on: "I will be following up another player this week and I intend watching him soon. We have other clubs we have started negotiations with for players but they are some way off as yet."
One of these players could be Darren Eadie, a player who Town have been linked with all summer. Another could be Coventry defender Gary Breen who is linked with the Blues in this morning's tabloids. West Ham and Charlton are also linked with a move should his contract talks at Coventry break down.
Town will pick their side for tomorrow's Braintree friendly from the squad which travelled to Finland and Estonia. The game is Russell Tanner's testimonial postponed from the end of last season.