Peterborough have ended their bid to sign Ipswich Town striker Kieffer Moore.
Posh director of football Barry Fry revealed on Wednesday that his side had made an offer for the striker, which was accepted, while former loan club Rotherham have also made an offer.
However, chairman Darragh MacAnthony has now revealed his club have pulled the plug on any pursuit for Moore, insisting the deal was too expensive and that they would have risked breaking Financial Fair Play rules to sign the striker.
With recently taken-over Championship side Barnsley also thought to be interested and Bradford confirming they have made a bid, MacAnthony hinted wages were the stumbling block in Peterborough’s move for Moore.
“Not doable under ffp for us,” he said on Twitter.
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“(Deal) was (agreed) with Ipswich but we don’t pay players nearly 5 figures per week in wages which is what he’s getting at new club he is going to. We are Peterborough United not Man United. Good luck to the fella.”
Speaking earlier on Thursday, Peterborough manager Grant McCann insisted he is a fan of the Ipswich Town striker and would certainly welcome him into his squad, but did urge caution when it came to the potential outlay.
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“It’s an option that came to us,” McCann said.
“We will look to bring one in that area. Kieffer Moore is just a different option than what we have got.
“The club have tried with Ipswich, but he is expensive and it is something I would advise Barry and the chairman to stay away from as it is a big financial commitment.
“The chairman and Barry will make that decision. As much as I would like the boy here to give us help he is going to cost money. We have got other irons in the fire and we are looking at them as well.”
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While Peterborough’s bid for Moore was accepted, it is understood the two clubs did not agree the full structure of the deal, with negotiations relating to a payment plans and any potential add-ons.
Rotherham have made an undisclosed bid for the striker, who scored 13 goals while on loan at the New York Stadium.
Bradford joint-owner Edin Rahic confirmed his side had made a ‘substantial offer: “We’ve made an offer and think it was a very good offer, a substantial offer, and we’ll wait,” he told BBC West Yorkshire Sport. “We wouldn’t offer anything disrespectful to Ipswich Town.”
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