Striker watch: No Anelka bid puts Fergie back to square one
Poor Nicolas Anelka.
Just two days ago at the French national team headquarters, the striker he was fending off sports hacks, desperate for his reaction to United’s interest.
Anelka did not demand a transfer when the speculation emerged but admitted that he “could not say no” to a move to the Premiership champions.
Now, Bolton’s chairman Phil Gartside, has delivered a hammer blow to the player’s Champions League aspirations by declaring that United are no longer interested in a deal.
“David Gill has confirmed to me that Manchester United has no interest in Nicolas Anelka,” he said. “Sammy Lee is looking to build a squad for next season and we absolutely have no interest in selling any of our better players. Nicolas, of course, is one such player.”
United’s decision not to pursue Anelka at this time, returns the club to square one, in what the press insists is Sir Alex’s wish to bring in a new striker before the title defence begins.
Favourite Klaas Jan Huntelaar, told the Sun newspaper last week that he preferred to stay in Holland. “I need to progress as a player before a foreign experience,” the 23 year old Ajax forward said.
Former Chelsea star Eidur Gudjohnsen, wants to stay on at Barcelona unless deemed surplus to requirements, whilst Liverpool are rumoured to be plotting a £30 million raid on Gudjohnsen’s team mate Samuel Eto’o, about whom United have also lodged an interest.
With the bulk of their recruitment already completed before May’s end, United have time on their side.
