City end Malbranque chase

Manchester City have ended their interest in Fulham midfielder Steed Malbranque, after having two bids for the midfielder turned down.

The Blues have had a £4m offer for the Frenchman rejected by the Cottagers this week and returned with a £5m bid.

But the second bid for the 25-year-old Frenchman was this evening knocked back by the Cottagers.

A statement on the Fulham website, www.fulhamfc.com read: “We can now announce that a second increased bid from Manchester City for French midfielder Steed Malbranque has been turned down.”