Villa join Schalke & Spurs in race for Van Bommel

By Gary Beaumont
April 12 2004

Marc Van Bommel is being caught up in a tug of war between the four clubs interested in landing the PSV starlet. It appears both Schalke and Borussia Dortmund are playing games in order to turn the situation in their favour.

Many reports from Germany are claiming that Dortmund have only entered the race to try and increase the price tag beyond what their fiercest rivals Schalke can afford. It is widely believed that Dortmund would struggle to match any price that Spurs, Aston Villa and Schalke were likely to offer, as the club are not in the best financial position. Therefore it looked as though it was a straight two horse race between Tottenham Hotspur and Schalke, but the saga took another twist recently when the Schalke manager Rudi Assauer claimed the club were not willing to pay the 6m Euros that PSV were asking for.
"I've spoken to Van Bommel and I think Mark would fit to this club as a player as well as a person, but PSV's demands are totally unrealistic,” announced general manager Rudi Assauer. “The book is closed."
However there is a suggestion that Schalke are also playing games by appearing to pull out of the transfer in order to lower the price. Rudi Assauer then appeared on German television channel DSF suggesting Marc Van Bommel would prefer a move to Germany.
"But the player doesn't want to go to England, he wants to play for Schalke," Assauer claims.
Marc Van Bommel has said very little throughout this speculation apart from comments that he enjoyed playing against Spurs pre-season and that the club has a great tradition.
Tottenham Hotspur are in dire need of inspirational players and many believe Van Bommel would be an ideal addition for the North London club.
If Newcastle knock out PSV of UEFA cup this week then expect fresh developments in relation to the Van Bommel saga.

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