The 27-year-old front man, a former teammate of Adam Barrett’s at Mansfield Town, had built up a good reputation with the Stags and also Coca-Cola Championship outfit Stoke City, who released the forward after two-and-a-half injury-ridden campaigns at the Britannia Stadium. He was released by the Potters in May.
The Shrimpers were interested in signing the player, who has scored at a goal every three games throughout his career. However, manager Tilson told the Southend Evening Echo this afternoon: “Chris was someone we were looking at. He has a good record and it would be an excellent signing but he’s after a lot of money.”
Sadly, as with so many talents in the current generation – perhaps none more so than Liverpool talisman Steven Gerrard, who has today turned down £100,000-a-week with the European Champions to move to pastures new – Greenacre is asking for more than the newly-crowned Coca-Cola league Two Play-Off winners can afford.
“He’s priced himself out of a move to us in many ways,” Tilson lamented. “I’m sure he has had quite a lot of other offers.” United will now switch their attention to another, as yet unnamed target, whom Tilson has revealed will command a six-figure fee to capture. Of course, with such a big-name signing, wages once again could prove to be a problem.
The ex-left sided magician has been talking to three possible targets over the past fortnight. Speaking to the club’s official website, Canvey Island’s FA Trophy winning skipper revealed, “Those talks are ongoing, he has a lot of sides that want him but realistically I don’t know if we will sign him.”
Tilson’s worry that a public naming will attract a bidding war after missing out on Colchester United front man Scott McGleish twelve months ago means that he will not name the men he has in mind to partner Freddy Eastwood next term, but he did comment, “He’s got a decent price tag around his neck but he has a good scoring record.”
Speculation over the identity of the target man is rife. Wycombe Wanderers’ Nathan Tyson and Leyton Orient’s Gary Alexander, both of whom would represent excellent signings, lack the necessary experience at League One level, whilst Andy Kirk and McGleish would be unlikely to leave Northampton Town with the Cobblers favourites for promotion next season. 32-year-old Luke Beckett and 35-year-old Shaun Goater may be looking for one last pay-day at Roots Hall, although whether Ron Martin’s cheque-book is large enough to sustain nine months of that remains to be seen.
Blues return to pre-season training at Gloucester Park in Basildon tomorrow.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com