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£5m BID WOULD NOT BUY PATERSON
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09:24 - 30 January 2008
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AN OFFER of £5-million would not be enough to prise leading marksman Martin Paterson away from Scunthorpe United.

That's the clear message Iron chairman Steve Wharton has delivered to Championship rivals Norwich City.

"I have had a very brief telephone conversation with someone from Norwich" the United chief confirmed.

"They inquired if Martin was available - and I said not at any price.

"When the response came that every player had his price, I told them that £5-million would not be enough for them to take Martin.

"That was the end of the conversation and there was no offer made."

It is being bandied about in the Norwich area that the Canaries had made a concrete offer of £850,000 for the 20-year-old player.

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But Wharton's valuation is a clear attempt to scare off any would-be predators, hoping to pick up a bargain before the transfer deadline expires at midnight tomorrow.

It would be seen as a suicidal move by United if they were to part company with their top scorer at a time when they are desperately still hoping to preserve their Championship status.

The club know they are deep in relegation trouble, but believe there is still time to battle their way to safety.

And 11-goal Paterson is the man they want to help lead them there.

Manager Nigel Adkins feared his star striker would be the subject of speculation this month.

"Before the transfer window opened at the beginning of January, we sat Martin down and told him his name would be linked with various clubs" said Adkins.

"That is the nature of how things are at the moment.

"But we also told him that he was a very important player to us and that he would be going nowhere. Martin is quite happy with that situation.

"What I am surprised about is that it has taken so long for his name to be linked with someone."

Posted By: loz, Jan 30, 10:08:14