Sav's Blackburn Move Gathers Pace

Last updated : 14 January 2005 By Brian Cartlidge

Manager Steve Bruce has said that he believes Sav has probably played his last game in a Blues shirt after Blackburn Rovers increased their offer for the want-away Wales international midfielder.

Savage, who only signed a new 4-year contract at St Andrew's last summer following links with a possible move to Everton, handed in a transfer request two weeks ago claiming that he wanted to be closer to his family in Wrexham.

He was left out of the last Premier League game against Bolton Wanderers and instead turned out for the Reserve''s side in their home game against Newcastle that same week where Blues fans vented their anger at a player they had once showed idol status towards.

Savage was unavailable for the FA Cup tie against Leeds United last weekend as he served an automatic one game ban for picking up five yellow cards this season so the away game at Fulham, where he scored possibly his best ever goal for the club, looks likely to have been his last game for Blues.

I believe that the deal, which will see Savage re-united with his former Wales international boss Mark Hughes and former Blues coach Mark Bowen, is best for all concerned.

I don't believe that Savage would ever have been welcomed back into the team by the majority of fans and an estimated £3million for a player over 30-years-old is not a bad fee for a player that cost the club just over £2million from Leicester City two seasons ago.

Talks are now said to be taking place between Blues and Rovers and a deal to take Savage to Ewood Park can't be too far away now... can it?