Effenberg in talks ...... Keane staying at Leeds

By Andy Leggott
April 9 2002

According to Munich newspaper Abendzeitung, Stefan Effenberg is already involved in talks about a move to City. But whilst Effenberg talks both Robbie Keane and Matt Holland have declared their futures to be with their respective clubs.

Effenberg has now been linked with City for a few weeks and has publically declared his intent to see out his career in the Premiership. Now that City have confirmed their place in the top flight, the stories coming out of Germany seem to point to Effenberg moving to Maine Road in the near future.

Effenberg is a one of a number of high profile targets that Keegan has been strongly linked with. Nothing further has been heard on the Edgar Davids or Clarence Seedorf front but two that seem to have shrugged off the City rumours are Robbie Keane and Matt Holland, both declaring their allegience to their respective clubs.

Despite it being common knowledge that Leeds need to offload a forward in the summer, Robbie Keane has publically stated that he intends to remain at the Club and fight for his place. This may be easier than expected for Robbie with Mark Viduka being the target of several major European clubs and looking the more likely to leave.

With Ipswich facing the drop it was inevitable that Matt Holland would once again be linked with a move to City. Holland has stated that whatever happens to Ipswich he intends to see out the remaining 4 years of his contract, if the club wants him to stay.

So today brings no fresh rumours so far but maybe two players crossed off the list. Expect plenty more names to be thrown into the ring as the silly season starts to build up.