Kuszczak offer turned down

Albion boss Bryan Robson today confirmed that Albion had turned down a second offer from Manchester United for number one keeper Tomasz Kuszczak.

Robson said, 'We have knocked back the second bid they have made.

'United know the position. They have made us an offer, but it is not what we want.

'So that is still not a deal at this moment in time. It all depends on United now.

'What we are after is the cash, which United have offered us, and two players to come this way as well. One would be permanent and one would be on loan, but I won't say who they are.'

Albion are interested in signing Giuseppe Rossi on loan next season and the other player is thought to be goalkeeper Luke Steele who Albion want permanently.

It is thought that United have met the cash part of the deal but Albion say that the two-players they want included are essential to completing the deal.

Rossi is a nippy forward who made the breakthrough into the United first team last year and has been revelation for the reserve side. Robson hopes to bring him in to bolster his attacking options and would hope that he would have the same effect on the Baggies side as former loan signing and United midfielder Kieran Richardson.

Richardson had a memorable season at Albion back in 2004-2005 when his performances from the Baggies midfield helped the club pull of the greatest of escapes coming back from bottom of the league at Christmas to survive on the final day.

Luke Steele signed for United from Peterborough for £500,000 and is an England Under-19 international. Albion want Steele to replace Kuszczak in the Baggies squad and Robson sees him as a quality young keeper to become Baggies number one for years to come.

A deal is close to being agreed for Kuszczak and he could soon find himself lining up at Old Trafford, but only if Albion get the two players in that they want as part of the deal.

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