Peace rejects Bougherra claims

Peace: Rejects allegations

West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace has rubbished suggestions that his absence from transfer talks cost the Baggies the signing of Madjid Bougherra.

Former Charlton defender Bougherra snubbed a move to The Hawthorns and instead signed for SPL outfit Rangers last Thursday in a £2.5million deal.

And Bougherra has since claimed that Peace's failure to attend negotiations at West Brom's training ground was the reason he turned down the Premier League new boys.

Peace, though, insists his no-show at the meeting had no influence on the conclusion of the deal.

"It is nonsense for anyone to suggest a transfer cannot be processed simply because I am not in attendance," said Peace.

Contractual issues

"I was away from the office for a few hours on Wednesday afternoon but I was available by phone and there were two directors present who could have completed the deal if it had been possible to do so.

"Terms had been agreed with the player but we were still not in a position to complete the deal at that time.

"We were waiting for Charlton to return a signed transfer agreement between the two clubs and were still awaiting the results of the player's medical, which we knew would not arrive until Thursday morning.

"It was agreed by all parties that the player and his representatives would return the following afternoon to complete the transfer in the event of a positive verdict from the medical and the player also resolving his contractual issues with Charlton on Thursday morning.

"However, the player and his representatives did not return the following day and we were later informed that he had decided to join Rangers, with whom he had also been in discussions."