Fontaine Frustration

Crewe have had a bid accepted for Fulham defender Liam Fontaine. Crewe’s bid for the defender was accepted last week, as was reported on Vital Crewe: Bid Accepted. However, as happened just a couple of weeks ago with Jamie McCombe, Bristol City were informed of our bid which had been accepted, and the Robins subsequently agreed to match that offer.

Bristol City are now firm favourites to sign the 20-year old centre-back. Fontaine spent the last four months of the season on loan at Ashton Gate, and spent the latter part of 2004 and 2005 working under City boss Gary Johnson during a loan spell at Yeovil – Johnson’s former club.

Dario Gradi has become frustrated in his efforts to talk to the 5’11 defender, and has been dealing through the smokescreen that is Fontaine’s agent. Gradi now feels that Crewe have been ‘used’ in recent weeks, as Crewe have done the hard work of initiating talks with Fulham and fruitlessly attempting to initiate talks with Fontaine, only to provide Bristol City with a set valuation for the player.

Gradi remains hopeful, but not expectant, of signing the defender, and claims to have other ‘irons in the fire’ which he will pursue if Fontaine decides on a move to Ashton Gate.

Whatever happens in this particular transfer, Fontaine’s agent will no doubt be deployed less readily once the change in agents’ rules are implemented, meaning Fontaine will have to stump up his agent’s fees out of his own pocket.