JIMMY Bullard has indicated he is willing to end his nightmare stay at Hull City – if a suitable pay-off can be agreed.
Unable to see a way back under Nigel Pearson, the 32-year-old
midfielder has made it clear to City officials he wants to scrap the
final two years of his contract in exchange for a final lump sum
payment.
The Mail understands that Bullard wants a seven-figure
sum for the Tigers to buy out the remainder of his deal. Against a
possible outlay of almost £5m over the next two years of a
£45,000-a-week deal, it is a tempting proposition for City's board to
contemplate.
The ball is now in City's court as Bullard looks to manufacture a
fresh start, but it remains to be seen if owner Assem Allam will agree
to the proposal.
Bullard would not be short of options if he agreed to cut all ties with the Tigers.
QPR boss Neil Warnock is one admirer to have sounded out the play-maker over a possible move back to the Premier League.
A season-long loan from City was one option touted, but a
permanent switch would be on the cards if Bullard was to be freed from
the final two years of his deal.
Now just 12 days away from the start pre-season, Bullard's future again threatens to become an unwanted distraction for Pearson.
Twelve months ago, the former Fulham star was not considered for
any pre-season friendlies as City looked to off-load their top earner in
the wake of a top-flight relegation.
That was extended into the opening month of the Championship
campaign and although Bullard eventually won his place in the City side
in September, Pearson struggled to accommodate him in his plans.
A loan move to Ipswich in January underlined as much and, with
Pearson planning ahead, it is unfeasible that Bullard has any future at
City.
The only stumbling block to an inevitable exit
would be a reluctance from the City board to buy Bullard out of the deal.
Allam has previously suggested he would no longer be willing to
subsidise a player plying his trade elsewhere. But to see up to £4m of
the £5m wage commitments due to Bullard scrapped has an obvious appeal.
With frustrations in the transfer market pointing towards a tight
budget this summer, City are desperate to off-load Bullard and fellow
high earners such as Seyi Olofinjana, Paul McShane and Kamel Ghilas.
All four spent part or all of last season out on loan but are
currently scheduled to return to pre-season with the Tigers on July 4.
CITY'S opening day fixture with Blackpool at the KC Stadium has been moved forward by a day for coverage on Sky Sports.
Originally scheduled for Saturday 6 August, the visit of Ian Holloway's men will take place on Friday 5 August (7.45pm).
Is he being serious?
what an asshole