Albion for sale...or not?

TWENTY four hours have passed since that statement - what do you make of it?

One thing is clear, the more and more people I speak to, the more I am hearing that there may be a different reason for this statement.

So while you trip over the names of Russian billionnaires and tycoons let me put a conspiracy theory to you.

Firstly we know that in the next AGM, to be held sometime in November, Peace would have been in a position to consolidate more shares, strengthening his own position and making the club more attractive to potential investors on the basis of having fewer 'scattergun' shareholders around the club.

I'm no financial expert but even I know now is not necessarily a prime time to be seeking a return on his investment.

Equally where will you find these so-called Money Men? Reading the Birmingham Mail? Reading this blog? Logging onto Albion's official club website? Or in Peace's tried and tested environment - that being the city of London or lurking somewhere in or around the financial sector's grapevine?

Let me play Devil's Advocate here - could the Albion chairman merely be priming supporters for a low spending summer?

Tony Mowbray has already said he'll be sprinkling 'magic dust' over his side and working on a budget. There won't be much money around.

One could never accuse Peace of being unwilling to spend when necessary or getting value for money but perhaps that Premier League war chest is more conservative than we thought?

We know Albion chairman can be sensitive to criticism. And fingers will be pointed at someone if next season doesn't go to plan. Is this a case of Peace merely putting up the sandbags in readiness for a possible deluge?

It's certainly a theory.

One thing is clear - Peace WILL sell at some stage, but maybe not just yet.