Baggies after Bodde

Swansea City's lynchpin midfielder Ferrie Bodde is apparently a target for West Brom. According to the Birmingham Evening Mail West Brom manager Tony Mowbray is preparing a bid for the former ADO Den Haag player. Although sources in Wales suggest that the deal may be further advanced than that.

Paul Jewell has been attempting to sign Bodde since pre season began and has seen a £750,000 bid turned down already.

Ferrie Bodde joined Swansea in July 2007 after playing in the Dutch top division for four years. He cost the Swans £85k and they would have to pay the Dutch club 50% of any future transfer fee.

Bodde is known to be tactically aware, a very good passer of the ball and aggressive. He received two red cards and six yellows last season so the aggressive nature of the player is pretty well confirmed.

Standing at just under 5ft 10ins and weighing in at 12 stone Bodde could well be the midfield hardman who can play that the club have been crying out for since Michael Appleton's retirement from the game. If he is that player then the reported £2m fee could prove to be a bargain.

In other news West Brom confirmed today that they will meet the Swans on Saturday 2 August for the testimonial match of Kristian O'Leary. That should now complete the Baggies' pre season fixtures.

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