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Koller to Fulham ? I found this article: I want Fulham move, says Koller Wednesday 4th April 2001 Czech star Jan Koller has confirmed that he wants to join Fulham after Anderlecht reportedly agreed a £9.5 million transfer fee with the Londoners. "I wish to say goodbye to Anderlecht with a second championship," he said. Fulham denied reports on Monday that a deal had been struck, but it appears to be only a matter of time before Koller joins the English first division champions-elect. "Fulham are very ambitious," said the striker. "The chairman wants to prove the club's worth in the Premier League next season and wants to buy the players to do that." Koller said he had already spoken to Fulham coach Jean Tigana and hoped a formal bid would come in by the end of the month. Asked if he wanted to move to Fulham, Koller said: "Yes, for sure, but now I want to concentrate on Anderlecht." Anderlecht coach Aime Anthuenis seemed resigned to his leading scorer's departure on Tuesday. He said: "What coach would be crazy enough to stop a player going when he can earn the salary that he's been offered?" Reports in England suggested on Monday that Koller would earn £1 million a year with Tigana's side, although Belgian insiders estimate that the salary could be worth as much as £1.5 million a season. Koller made his name in Belgium as the Jupiler League's top scorer with Lokeren and was snapped up by Anderlecht for £1.8 million. He continued his prolific run to guide the Brussels club to the Belgian title. Despite becoming one of the hottest properties in the European game, he made no waves at home with Sparta Prague, scoring just five goals in two seasons before moving abroad in 1996. Anderlecht have already begun the search for a replacement for Koller – and top of their wish-list is Belgium international Bob Peeters of Vitesse Arnhem. General manager Michel Verschueren confirmed: "Peeters would be expensive but Vitesse can no longer afford him because of their financial problems." The Arnhem club, who have been on the verge of bankruptcy since January, are still owed £4 million by Benfica for Pierre van Hooijdonk. They suffered another blow last week when sponsors and main creditors NUON, owed more than £18 million, unexpectedly decided to cut all ties with the club. Peeters became the second most expensive Belgian footballer of all time when he joined Vitesse for £4 million in August 2000 from rivals Roda JC. He was called up to the Belgium squad for the first time in 1999-00 and was Roda's second top scorer in 1998-99 with 13 goals. Other names to be linked to the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium include Monaco forward Dado Prso and Harelbeke's Nigerian striker Ode Thompson. |
