George Burley has revealed that Nigerian international Finidi George has agreed terms with the Blues. However, the player still has to tie-up everything with Real Mallorca which could possibly stop the deal going through. On the plus side Finidi is reported to have told the Spanish media that he is keen to join Town.
George Burley, hopeful that the deal will go through, said: "I spoke to Finidi and we have agreed everything this end he has agreed and he's had a medical. He's gone to tie up a couple of things at Mallorca so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he will be back next week to sign for us. The boy's very keen to come here. He has pace, the ability to take people on and score goals. He'd be a great addition to the squad."
It is thought Finidi has to sort out the payment of his signing-on fees from when he joined Mallorca from Real Betis a year ago. Signing-on fees are paid throughout the duration of a player's contract, but should a club choose to sell a player before that contract is up they are due in full.
Finidi, coming from outside the EU, will need a work permit, but as a regular for Nigeria there should be no Bontcho Guentchev-type situation on the horizon, George Burley: "There should be no problem with gaining a work permit. He has played for Nigeria for the past ten years or so."
A fee of £3.7 million is the figure reported to have been agreed between the two clubs.
George Burley has refuted most of the transfer rumours reported over the weekend. The links with Chris Sutton, James O'Connor and (once again) David Prutton have all been denied by the Town boss.
Burley said specifically on the Sutton story, which appeared in a number of national papers: "We have not made any contact with Celtic about Chris Sutton."
No comment has been made on Coventry's Gary Breen, although Gordon Strachan recently made the player's unavailablity clear.
Town are likely to come across Nicky Byrne from pop group Westlife when they play Bray Wanderers this week. The boy band member is apparently a talented ex-goalkeeper who had trials and everything.
He is down to make a guest appearance for the Irish side.