Saddlers confirm Gerrard bid

Saints failed in bid for wantaway midfielder

By James Pearson   Last updated: 2nd September 2008

Anthony Gerrard

Gerrard: Bid rejected

If he plays with same level of commitment and desire that he has shown throughout his time at Walsall, then he will continue to be a very valuable member of our squad.

Mullen
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Walsall have confirmed they rejected a transfer deadline day bid for wantaway defender Anthony Gerrard.

A host of Championship clubs were linked with moves for the 22-year-old, including Coventry and Birmingham, although Southampton were the only club to put an offer on the table.

However, The Saints' bid fell well short of Walsall's valuation of Gerrard, who handed in a transfer request, meaning he remains at the Banks's Stadium.

"Anthony is our player," manager Jimmy Mullen told the Express & Star.

"If he plays with same level of commitment and desire that he has shown throughout his time at Walsall, then he will continue to be a very valuable member of our squad."

Walsall chairman Jeff Bonser added: "I stated all along that the player would not be sold unless we received a substantial offer."

Striker cleared

Meanwhile, Southampton's Bradley Wright-Phillips has been cleared of a charge of burglary relating to the theft of cash and mobile phones from a nightclub staffroom.

The striker had the case against him discharged at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court after District Judge Anne Arnold ruled there was insufficient evidence against him.

The 23-year-old, who is the son of former England star Ian Wright and younger half-brother of Manchester City and England player Shaun Wright-Phillips, pleaded not guilty to the offence.

He was charged with the theft of cash totalling £85, three mobile phones, a driving licence, two bank cards and other personal effects from a staffroom at the Bar Bluu club on Southsea seafront, Hampshire, on February 28.