More Anelka Talk Denied By Megson

No contact made
By Mark Heys
January 3 2008

A number of the national newspapers claimed that Bolton Wanderers top scorer Nicolas Anelka had all but sealed a £10 million switch to title chasing Chelsea but Wanderers manager Gary Megson has once again stood firm in his efforts to keep the striker.

The Times first ran the latest batch of Anelka news in an edition of their newspaper earlier this week and French newspaper L'Equipe had quotes from Anelka which claimed the Bolton and Chelsea chairmen where in talks about his future.

However, after Bolton's 1-0 win over struggling Derby County at the Reebok Stadium on Wednesday night, Megson reaffirmed his desire to keep the 11 goal striker with the Wanderers.

"This speculation has been gathering pace ever since I have been here, It is probably understandable and Nic has to deal with it more than most." said Megson when asked about the current rumours surrounding his star man 

"There has been no contact as far as I am aware. Nobody has rung me, nobody has rung the board and there has been no offer faxed in."

"Nic has been asked a question, he is put on the spot as he is asked what it would be like to join a club that plays in Champions League, probably on big money and the opportunity to play for a fantastic football club and so what is he supposed to say.

"He did finish that article by saying he was very happy at Bolton and it would not be the worse thing in the world [to stay].

"He has not said he did not want to be here and if there is a transfer, and I am not saying there is going to be one, in this case it has to suit everybody - the buying club, the selling club and also the player.

"Everyone at Bolton Wanderers wants Nic to stay and at the moment there is nothing to deal with. If somebody actually comes in and there is an offer faxed or written there is something to discuss and we can discuss it, but at the moment we are just discussing things that are flying about in the press."

Anelka has been also linked to both Manchester clubs and clubs overseas over the past six months despite having signed a new deal only last August to stay at Bolton.