Tyson decision shows Wanderers’ ambition

11:33am Friday 2nd September 2005

WANDERERS turned down a £300,000 bid from Cardiff City bid for top scorer Nathan Tyson on Wednesday as they underlined their commitment to winning promotion.

The Blues rejected the Welsh club's transfer deadline day bid - as well as an undisclosed offer from another club - and told Cardiff they' have to double their offer.

Managing director Steve Hayes said: "£300,000 is a lot of money but winning promotion is a lot more important to us and Nathan Tyson is a very big part of what we are trying to achieve."

But although the Blues have fought off the latest round of interest, they are not confident they will be able to do so again when the transfer window re-opens in January.

The Blues board have instructed manager John Gorman to start lining up a replacement for the club's prized former England U20 international should another club come in with an offer they can't turn down in the New Year.

And with the 23-year-old's contract due to expire in the summer, Blues run the risk that Tyson could walk away for nothing on a Bosman if he isn't sold in January.

But it is a risk the club are prepared to take as they bid to build on their unbeaten start to the season.

Hayes said: "If I could buy promotion for £300,000 I would. Cardiff's offer was big money, but not big enough. We want to win promotion this season and Nathan is a vital part of that."

He and the rest of the board weren't prepared to let Tyson fulfil his dream of stepping up two divisions to play in the Championship without having a ready-replacement lined up.

They say the timing of Cardiff's bid, which only arrived on the eve of the transfer deadline, was all wrong.

Hayes said: "You can only take a picture at one particular time and we couldn't get anyone else in at this time."

Cardiff made their bid on Tuesday evening leaving Blues with just 24 hours to find a replacement capable of filling Tyson's boots.

Tyson topped Blues' scoring charts last season with 22 goals as he walked off with the club's Player of the Year title.

And he has started this season just as well with six goals in the league and cup so far to fire Wanderers up to third in the table and to set up a glamour Carling Cup tie at home to Aston Villa on September 20..

Gorman is delighted to keep his hot-shot who was signed from reading by previous boss Tony Adams for an undisclosed fee.

He said: "It shows the ambition of this club that they have turned down this money. It was a tempting offer because he could go for nothing in the summer.

Read this week's Bucks Free Press for an exclusive interview with Tyson