EASTLEIGH have abandoned their quest to sign central defender Tom Jordan after having a THIRD offer rejected by manager Ian Baird's old club Havant.
Having made two failed bids before Christmas, the Spitfires went back for a third time on Wednesday, but Havant secretary Trevor Brock said: "They want to buy a Rolls Royce for Mini money and it's not going to happen."
Since resigning as Havant captain and openly declaring his desire to join Eastleigh last month, Jordan - son of ex-Saint Joe - has lost his place in the Havant side and, according to Brock, is unlikely to play for the club again.
And such is the 26-year-old's determination to link up again with Baird that he has rejected overtures from Blue Square Premier outfit Salisbury City - even though they would fulfil his desire to play in a higher league.
Eastleigh boss Baird shrugged: "Obviously Havant can afford to let him sit and do nothing. They must have an embarrassment of riches player-wise and they must be financially fat.
"It's disappointing for us, but we've drawn a line in the sand with this one now.
"I was led to believe that the price for Tom would be £10,000, but all of a sudden that price has doubled.
"I know for a fact that Tom's been offered to another club for £10,000.
"It seems there's one price for Eastleigh and one for everyone else."
Brock, though, dismissed that suggestion, saying: "Apart from Eastleigh, no one else has offered any money because the player won't even talk to another club. Salisbury enquired about taking him, but he didn't want to talk to them - and yet this is a player that Eastleigh haven't spoken to!
"It's all very fishy. They've boxed us into a corner by securing everything behind the scenes and then coming in with an offer and expecting us to take it."
Full story in today's non league football-packed Daily Echo.
