NOTTINGHAM Forest could steal York City midfielder Lee Bullock from under the noses of Cardiff City.

The Welsh club's continued dalliance over a permanent transfer after Bullock's successful two-month loan spell at Ninian Park last season might now open the door for any one of five clubs who have also expressed an interest in the free-scoring midfielder.

Forest are believed to be heading the chase for his signature and that would represent a coup for recently-appointed City Ground boss Joe Kinnear who used to work for Cardiff owner Sam Hammam at Wimbledon.

Division One rivals Ipswich have also been rumoured to have made an approach for Bullock's services but the club have confirmed today that they have not had any contact with the Suffolk side.

City finance director Terry Doyle did confirm, however, that the Minstermen are now considering offers from five other clubs as Cardiff, as yet, have failed to exercise their option to buy Bullock and have indicated a preference to stagger any transfer fee over a period of months.

It is believed that Cardiff and the Minstermen agreed a fee of £75,000 plus another £75,000 based on appearances before Bullock left for Wales in March.

Doyle said: "Cardiff did not exercise their option following the end of the loan period and they were supposed to come back to us as soon as he returned. We have spoken to Cardiff on several occasions to exercise their option to sign Lee Bullock but have had no positive response.

"Lee Bullock's name has, therefore, been circulated and five clubs have expressed an interest. Ipswich are not one of those clubs but there is at least one in Cardiff's division that would represent a good move for Lee.

"All of those clubs will meet our asking price while the price Cardiff are quoting in public is not the one that we have been offered. Cardiff are trying to buy him on deferred terms which indicates to us that they have not got the money to conclude the purchase. All of the other clubs have indicated it would be a straight cash deal.

"I feel that this whole situation has been very unfair on Lee Bullock who has clearly demonstrated he can play at this level but must feel he has been let down by Cardiff."

Meanwhile, Cardiff boss Lennie Lawrence believes the Bluebirds are still in a strong position regarding a permanent transfer for Bullock.

Lawrence said today: "The boy is away on holiday and we can't physically complete the signing until he returns, but the deal is on. He did enough during his loan spell with us to convince me he has qualities which we can work on developing."

Bullock is due back from Florida in mid-June.

Updated: 10:40 Wednesday, June 02, 2004