Birmingham Respond re Martin Taylor, QPR and Norwich

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Canaries accused in Taylor row -- Eastern Daily Press (EDP)/CHRIS LAKEY

The row surrounding the future of Martin Taylor escalated over the weekend when Birmingham City chief Karren Brady blamed Norwich City for their failure to land the central defender.
Canaries boss Glenn Roeder claimed last week that Brady had refused to extend Taylor's loan spell at Carrow Road and had put the block on a permanent move by agreeing a £1.25m deal with QPR - even though the player doesn't want to move to the capital. However, the Blues managing director claims Norwich have not made an offer and that she was within her rights to do as she saw fit for the benefit of her club.
“As always, the main priority for the board of Birmingham City is our own football club and as such it is our job to ensure that we act in its best interests at all times,” said Brady.
“Should clubs wish to make an approach to us with regard to any of our players, we would ask that this is done in the correct and proper manner and not via the media.
“The board of Birmingham City took the decision not to allow Martin's emergency loan at Norwich City to be extended; he was only to be made available for a permanent transfer in the January window.
“Norwich City have been aware of this fact in the build-up to Martin's expiry at Norwich City. No proposal from Norwich has been forthcoming. Martin is a player with talent and a number of clubs, not only with the desire to sign him, but also the money, have contacted us.
“Should Norwich City wish to buy our player I suggest Glenn should just pick up the phone and call me.”
While it appears to be a damning indictment of Norwich City, Roeder's comments last week suggest the club did go through the correct channels - which was confirmed by a club statement yesterday.
“As Glenn said at the end of last week, he is pleased with the support he has received from the board in our efforts to bring Martin Taylor to Norwich on a permanent basis,” the club said.
City are unlikely to let the matter rest and are expected to make another move for Taylor when the January transfer window opens - and the matter could become complicated all over again. Taylor is understood to be keen on Norwich, but the EDP understands that Brady is friendly with QPR chairman Gianni Paladini - who clearly would prefer that Taylor joined his club rather than one of its closest rivals in the relegation battle. EDP

Also: Birmingham Mail: Brady re Norwich/Taylor