'WELL SUNGLASSES
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7.15pm

There's still been no confirmation of any new signings, but already we seem to have upset Partick Thistle over the speculation linking us with Alex Burns and Stephen Craigan.  The Glasgow club have lodged a complaint with the SPL and SFA, and the following statement appeared on their official website:

"If clubs are allowed to ignore financial constraints then the competition is not a level playing field. Perhaps we should have the same system as in France where irresponsible speculation results in the severest of sanctions, ask Monaco.

"When Partick Thistle were in financial difficulties and had not paid Forfar, we were barred from signing players because we had not honoured a football debt. In the long term football can only survive if the players and clubs honour their agreements with each other.

"We sympahise with Motherwell's position but this is a very important issue for the football authorities and for football as a whole. We have now formally complained to the SPL and to the SFA."

Speaking in today's local press, Terry Butcher confirms that the arrival of Alex Burns is imminent:
"We are hoping to finalise everything with Alex this week.  He knows the club from his time here a few years ago and he scored against us for Partick in every game last season, so it's a case of if you can't beat them, sign them!"

TB also admits he is interested in signing Stephen Craigan and Gordon Marshall:
"We have spoken to their agents, but nothing has been finalised as yet. However, they are just two of several players we have made enquiries about.  We know we need to supplement the squad for next year as it's going to be even harder and that's what we're looking to do just now.

"I feel we need an experienced goalkeeper, especially with Stevie Woods leaving, and that's why I decided not to offer Francois the new deal.  It had been on the table for a while, but he just never got round to signing it and I now feel it was the right thing to do for the club, although it was very hard on Francois."

Butcher denied our earlier report that former 'Well captain Tom Boyd would be returning to Fir Park in a player/coach capacity:
"I can honestly say that one is never going to happen."

This morning's papers reported that Stephen Pearson has signed up with Monaco-based agent Willie McKay, who claims that the Scotland Under-21 international is currently in talks with an English Premiership club.  McKay is quoted as saying:
"Clubs have been coming to young McFadden and been going away with reports on Pearson as well. Ten clubs in the Premiership have shown interest, but we are now in talks with one club which I want to keep under wraps. 

"There is strong interest in Stephen, but I'm still expecting a call from Motherwell to see if they want to give him a new contract. He is signed until next June but, we'll see what happens. There are a lot of clubs who are very interested in him and, in my opinion, when that interest is there it's the right time to move."

The list of interested clubs is believed to include Bolton, Spurs, Leicester, Birmingham and Portsmouth, and the club have supposedly put a £750,000 price tag on Pearo's head.

The Official Site confirms that there will be no increase in season ticket prices for the new campaign.  Tickets go on sale from the ticket office from Saturday, June 7. 

The Official Site also reports that Steven Craig has signed the new one-year contract offered to him.  He is quoted as saying:
"It is a big relief and it gives me another year to try and establish myself as the main striker at the club.  I was grateful to Terry Butcher for giving me my chance back in January and I am looking forward to getting a full pre-season under my belt."

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