Sam In Anelka Admiration

By Mark Heys
August 17 2006

Sam Allardyce has revealed his admiration for French striker Nicolas Anelka but questions whether or not the Fenerbache front man would see Bolton Wanderers as a big enough attraction.

Reports in Turkey claim that the former Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City player has his heart set on a pre-deadline move back to English football and Allardyce has stated his interest in bringing the 27-year old back to these shores.

A possible downside, according to the Bolton manager, is that Anelka would be tempted by moves to clubs with bigger pulling power than that which the Wanderers offer currently.

"There has been a lot of speculation about Nicholas Anelka. He would interest me, but I wonder whether a Club of our size is big enough for him. He has played at the top end of football since his career started at Arsenal and he has never dipped below that level.

"I would never say it is a possibility because of the size of the player and the size of the offer we would have to make. He's still at his peak and could move to any top club in Europe if he wanted to."

"Finding a top-class striker still remains the priority. We have an interest in a number of front-men around Europe and the search will continue to find the man that will take this club forward.

Meanwhile, Allardyce has also been quick to play down reports linking him to PSV Eindhoven giant Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Deportivo La Coruna's much travelled Diego Tristan.

"I was seen at the recent Dutch Charity Shield match between PSV Eindhoven and Ajax. Due to the fact I was watching the game; the speculation has been rife that I'm ready to sign Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. The problem is that you can't always believe all the hype and speculation that is reported.

"There have also been strong reports about Diego Tristan at Deportivo in Spain. I know all about his qualities and he is another player that could be on the list. I want to try and keep things to a level of normality and be in a position to inform everyone once we are in a position to announce a signing."

Bolton's policy on transfers had to be tightened in recent years when it was revealed that an "inside source" was leaking sensitive and confidential information to members of the press meaning that the club eventually missed out on a number of their top targets.