By Mark Heys
June 27 2006

Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart are rivaling the Wanderers in the race to sign Marseille's Ivory Coast World Cup star Abdoulaye Meite. Meite has impressed a number of potential suitors with his performances for the Africans during this summers World Cup, and the interest in securing his services appeares to be widening.

For so long it looked as if the 26-year old defender would be moving to the Reebok Stadium but an alleged row over the terms of the deal is threatening to scupper the move once again.

Should the German club manage to bring Meite to the Bundeliga then this would represent a huge blow to the Bolton manager Sam Allardyce after a two and a half year pursuit.

England squad member Andrew Johnson, now of Everton and Liverpool's Dietmar Hamann have already rejected moves to the Reebok Stadium in what is proving to be another summer of frustration.

Crystal Palace manager Peter Taylor has also warned the Wanderers, Middlesbrough and Fulham that he will not entertain bids for highly rated England U21 midfielder Ben Watson.

Watson has been linked with a return to the top flight but Taylor says that the Eagles do not want to sell and will do all they can to hold onto their most promising players.

"I'm not going to discuss speculation, but we are looking to keep all our best players. We are not in a position where we have to sell." said the former Hull boss