Anelka Move In Doubt?

By Craig McWalter
April 20 2002

Nicolas Anelka's proposed move from PSG to Liverpool could be in doubt after the french striker's reported wage demands. Read On for more.

The wage demands of the temperamental French striker, believed to be in excess of £60,000- a-week, have stunned Liverpool Boss Gerard Houllier and threaten to bring a premature end to the player's revitalised career on Merseyside.

The news will come as a shock to Reds fans on a crunch weekend that could see all three teams at the top of the Premiership taking their turn to head the table.

Victory over Derby would put Houllier's men clear and condemn County to relegation.

After helping to relaunch the career of Anelka, 23, Houllier is dismayed by the salary demands from the brothers who act on the player's behalf, and has brought negotiations to an abrupt halt.

Liverpool have also identified alternatives, tracking Leeds striker Robbie Keane and Barcelona's Patrick Kluivert, although the Dutchman is likely to want wages similar to those demanded by the Anelka camp.

The unseemly wrangle over the future of Anelka, currently on loan from Paris Saint-Germain and likely to cost £17million in any permanent deal this summer, is an unwelcome distraction for Liverpool and their boss.

Manchester United will replace leaders Arsenal at the top of the Premiership if they beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

A Liverpool victory would then push Arsenal into third place - albeit with two games in hand - and needing a victory at Highbury on Sunday against Ipswich to regain their place at the top.

It has become clear that there is no way back for Anelka at PSG, and he is struggling to earn a place in the World Cup Finals this summer.

French television channel Canal Plus, PSG's owners, are in the grip of a mounting financial crisis and the club will intensify efforts to offload Anelka if, as seems certain, he refuses to accept a 50 per cent wage reduction.

Houllier has waited in vain for any indication that Anelka and his advisers might lower their sights and is now on the point of abandoning his plans to turn the temporary move into a permanent transfer.

As for Republic of Ireland striker Keane, Liverpool have watched him twice in recent weeks, playing for Leeds against Sunderland and his country against the United States.

Elland Road boss David O'Leary has made it clear that financial considerations will force him to trim his squad at the end of the season.