Liverpool Agree Bellamy Pay-Off 'In Principle'

Cardiff City are anxiously waiting in the wings to snap up former loanee Craig Bellamy if and when he is able to secure an exit from Anfield but that 'if' is becoming increasingly a 'when' after Liverpool have now agreed a deal 'in principle' to cancel the remaining year on Bellamy's £80k per week contract.

Bellamy has always remained keen on a move back to Cardiff City, and that may well be a condition of Liverpools acceptance of the deal. The Reds will be required to make a 'significant' payment to Bellamy, thought to be around the equivalent of £25k per week over the season. That, plus the bumper wage package City have prepared specifically for Bellamy, would see him not lose out too much and Liverpool would save the remainder of his significant wage - which could then be used to sign another player.

Many bookmakers have stopped taking bets on a Bellamy return to Cardiff City. Liverpool, like Manchester City before them, are clearly taking a financial hit to suit the play - directly benefitting Cardiff City FC. Liverpool could make the deal even sweeter by preventing him signing for any other Premiership club as part of his contract termination. That would scupper any late bids from the likes of Fulham and Mark Hughes' QPR who were hoping that the lure of Premiership football might have swayed Craig.

Following Team GB's exit from the Olympics, Bellamy is now free to concentrate on sorting his club future out with further discussions with Liverpool planned this week to determine the finer points of the contract termination. Following that, he is expected to undertake a medical and formalise his return to Cardiff City - with a likely completion date of next week.

Whisper it quietly. Craig Bellamy is coming home...

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