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Fulham edge ahead in Koller race Monday 14th May 2001 Fulham are the favourites again to pip Borussia Dortmund to the signing of Jan Koller after the Anderlecht forward admitted he would rather play in England. Representatives of the Belgian club met with Fulham, who are believed to have tabled an £8 million bid - but Anderlecht officials admitted that they were also expecting a bid from Dortmund. The German club looked to have stolen a march on the London side when Koller said over the weekend: "Dortmund are still in the race." But on Monday, the Czech Republic star insisted that he would rather join Jean Tigana's ambitious outfit in the Premiership. "Nothing is definitive yet, but I'd like to leave. I want to join Fulham," he declared. "England has the best stadiums and atmosphere. I've spoken about it to Patrik Berger and Pavel Srnicek, who both warmly recommended playing in England. The atmosphere is better than in any other country. And the style of football would probably suit me more as well. "I'm now going to wait and see. If Anderlecht and Fulham can't reach an agreement about my transfer then I would have no problem about playing at Borussia Dortmund. "If no deal can be made with either club then I'll stay at Anderlecht. But to play football in England, that was my boyhood dream." Koller was speaking after Anderlecht clinched their second consecutive league title over the weekend after a stuttering 1-0 win over Mechelen. "Last year's title was simpler, we clinched it six rounds before the end of the league season, but this time Bruges were very close to us, so the celebrations are more spontaneous this time," he said "There were huge fireworks at the stadium right after the game and then we stayed at the ground, drinking everything and anything: champagne, beer, and wine. We went home at around three in the morning." Koller left Sparta Prague for Belgian side Lokeren in 1996 and after top scoring in the Belgian first division, was signed by Anderlecht in the summer of 1999. He was Anderlecht's leading goalscorer last season, with 20 goals in 33 matches. His strikes this season played a major part in Les Mauves winning their 26th championship title. The 27-year-old Czech international played a significant part in helping Anderlecht reach the second round of the Champions' League. Koller made his international debut for Czech Republic in 1999, scoring the only goal of the game in a win over Belgium in Brussels. |
