HULL CITY: Bullard seeking pay-off to end Tigers nightmare Wednesday, June 22, 2011 Profile image for Hull Daily Mail Hull Daily Mail Follow JIMMY Bullard has indicated he is willing to end his nightmare stay at Hull City â if a suitable pay-off can be agreed. Unable to see a way back under Nigel Pearson, the 32-year-old midfielder has made it clear to City officials he wants to scrap the final two years of his contract in exchange for a final lump sum payment. ​Hull City's Jimmy Bullard Wants away: Hull City's Jimmy Bullard The Mail understands that Bullard wants a seven-figure sum for the Tigers to buy out the remainder of his deal. Against a possible outlay of almost £5m over the next two years of a £45,000-a-week deal, it is a tempting proposition for City's board to contemplate. The ball is now in City's court as Bullard looks to manufacture a fresh start, but it remains to be seen if owner Assem Allam will agree to the proposal. Bullard would not be short of options if he agreed to cut all ties with the Tigers. QPR boss Neil Warnock is one admirer to have sounded out the play-maker over a possible move back to the Premier League. A season-long loan from City was one option touted, but a permanent switch would be on the cards if Bullard was to be freed from the final two years of his deal. Now just 12 days away from the start pre-season, Bullard's future again threatens to become an unwanted distraction for Pearson. Twelve months ago, the former Fulham star was not considered for any pre-season friendlies as City looked to off-load their top earner in the wake of a top-flight relegation. That was extended into the opening month of the Championship campaign and although Bullard eventually won his place in the City side in September, Pearson struggled to accommodate him in his plans. A loan move to Ipswich in January underlined as much and, with Pearson planning ahead, it is unfeasible that Bullard has any future at City. The only stumbling block to an inevitable exit would be a reluctance from the City board to buy Bullard out of the deal. Allam has previously suggested he would no longer be willing to subsidise a player plying his trade elsewhere. But to see up to £4m of the £5m wage commitments due to Bullard scrapped has an obvious appeal. With frustrations in the transfer market pointing towards a tight budget this summer, City are desperate to off-load Bullard and fellow high earners such as Seyi Olofinjana, Paul McShane and Kamel Ghilas. All four spent part or all of last season out on loan but are currently scheduled to return to pre-season with the Tigers on July 4. CITY'S opening day fixture with Blackpool at the KC Stadium has been moved forward by a day for coverage on Sky Sports. Originally scheduled for Saturday 6 August, the visit of Ian Holloway's men will take place on Friday 5 August (7.45pm).
QPR line-up loan deal for Bullard Jimmy Bullard By Nick Rostron-Pike Wednesday, June 22 0 comments Jimmy Bullard is on the verge of agreeing a loan move to Queens Park Rangers. The Hull midfielder spent last season on loan at Ipswich scoring five goals in 16 appearances for the Tractor Boys. Bullard was offered to the Portman Road club permanently as the Tigers tried to shift the former Fulham playmaker from their wage bill. Paul Jewell rejected a move though saying: "I spoke to Adam Pearson [Hull's head of football operations] and I spoke to Jimmy at length. "Jimmy was great for us and I think we were good to Jimmy. "But finances speak at the end of the day. Jimmy's on a fantastic contract there, he's on a top Premier League contract, everybody knows that." It now appears that the 32-year-old is on his way back to London with Loftus Road his destination. Neil Warnock's men are also still keen on Blackpool striker DJ Campbell but face competition from Aston Villa for the former Birmingham forward's services.
I think a fit Bullard would be a great signing for us I hope Warnock is thinking about our lack of pace at the back though, both fullbacks will struggle
Bullard would be a good signing for most teams in the PL, more so for any team outside the top 6 or 7 (maybe even some in that group) but are QPR going to give him a £45,000-a-week deal? Under the current regime it seems unlikely. Same as Norwich, no way would we pay that much.
Bullard - yes... well... maybe... at 32 may now be past his best and its not clear where he would fit assuming we keep Taarabt. Cambell - played well above his level with Blackpool last term, did well, but still got relegated. These would be the premier league signings of a yo-yo club IMO. If this is the level we are aiming it makes me seriously worried that the much rumoured take-over will not happen or will not result in increased investment even if it does happen. Surely a wealthy owner looking to make an impact would aim higher?
If Hull's continuing parachute fund buy's out the remainder of JB's contract, the £45k per week's no longer an issue. If he does end up with us I'm sure it will be on either payp or a vastly reduced wage based on the the facts that, yes he'll be back in the prem BUT he's also both an age and injury liability.
