Robson wants Celtic's Danish dud to spearhead a Premiership push

Sheffield United still want to sign Celtic misfit Thomas Gravesen - despite their failure to secure a return ticket to the Premiership.

The Yorkshire club's legal challenge against the Premier League following their decision not to dock points from West Ham over the Carlos Tevez affair was dismissed, a ruling which will see the Upton Park outfit retain their top-flight status.

Scroll down for more

But, as his chairman pondered any further expensive legal challenge, manager Bryan Robson spoke about transfer talks with Celtic over Gravesen.

And the Blades remain hopeful they may be able to persuade the Dane to move to Bramall Lane for at least one season in the Coca-Cola Championship. "I have an interest in Thomas Gravesen and would like to bring him to Sheffield United," said Robson, a former Manchester United team-mate of Celtic boss Gordon Strachan.

"We are in discussions with Celtic over the issue and, hopefully, we can sort out some kind of agreement with them.

"I'm not sure if I can persuade Thomas to come here but I'd like to have the chance to speak to him - and that is why the clubs are talking."

The Blades have money to spend having agreed to sell star defender Phil Jagielka to Everton for £4million, with Scotland defender Gary Naysmith going to Bramall Lane as part of the deal.

Celtic paid Real Madrid £2m for Gravesen last August and handed him a bumper three-year contract.

He could yet prove hard to shift and the idea that Sheffield United could pay a fee in excess of £1m will be attractive to the Parkhead hierarchy, if not necessarily the player.

Even loaning Gravesen south for a year would free up wages of around £35,000 per week, although some of the midfielder's salary package is believed to be appearance-related.

Turkish club Besiktas were the most recent would-be suitors but Gravesen's agent, John Sivebaek, insisted his client had no intention of quitting Parkhead for the banks of the Bosphorus.

Meanwhile, Craig Beattie left Celtic yesterday to join West Brom for £1.25m, with a possible further £500,000 being based on appearances.

"Craig will bring qualities to our team that we lacked last season," said manager Tony Mowbray, formerly of Hibs. "He still has room for development in his game and, hopefully, he will make that progress here.

"Craig has shown a determination and desire to do well in England and already has Champions League and international experience to his credit. His main attribute is playing on the shoulder of the last defender.

"He utilises his pace and power well and manages to get in behind defences to score goals."