Bullard to Celtic deal 'definitely dead'

Following conflicting reports, Jimmy Bullard's potential move from Hull City to Celtic is "definitely dead", according to sources at the English club.

Reports earlier in the transfer window suggested Bullard wanted £45,000-a-week from Hull and £30,000-a-week from Celtic in order to consider making a loan move to Glasgow. However, it was reported yesterday a deal had been reached which would see Bullard joining for a year, with both clubs paying half his wages.

Hull City boss Nigel Pearson has said Bullard will not be joining the rest of the squad on the club's Portugal trip this week and has said it would be for the best for both parties if the player left. Bullard is one of the club's highest-paid players, if not the highest-paid player, and Hull are looking to make savings as they adjust to life in the Championship.

Pearson told BBC Radio Humberside:: "We'll look at it as we get closer to the end of the window but I'm not going to make statements that will close the door totally. We have to be sensible on that."

Club sources have been quoted by BBC Sport as saying the Celtic loan switch is 'definitely dead', which is surely no bad thing. While Bullard has several positive attributes as a player, he hasn't played regularly recently due to injuries and fans would be unlikely to warm to player thought to be holding out for what many would consider excessive wage demands.

With all the players out there, of all ages and around the globe, it's unlikely Neil Lennon or anybody else at Celtic will lose too much sleep over missing out on Bullard, assuming he was genuinely wanted. With all the chances being made to the squad, signing an injury-prone 31-year-old on big wages never sounded like the best of options.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.