Fulham bid for Di Canio
last updated Tuesday 07th August 2001, 8:03 AM
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Paolo
Di Canio
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FULHAM have made a dramatic pounds 2.5 million
bid to snatch Paolo Di Canio from West Ham.
The Hammers are ready to listen to offers for the Italian striker and the
Premiership new boys have emerged as favourites to land him.
Fulham coach Jean Tigana has been told Di Canio is available at the right
price - only weeks after he failed to land his West Ham strike partner Frederic
Kanoute.
Tigana has signalled his intention to bring big names to Fulham by shattering
the club's transfer record with the pounds 7.5m capture of Juventus goalkeeper
Edwin van der Sar.
Now Tigana is targeting Di Canio, who he believes would thrive playing the
style of football he has brought to Craven Cottage.
Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed is also keen on the Italian's flair and charisma.
The billionaire tycoon has been looking for a top-name player to raise his
club's profile and Di Canio fits the bill.
Di Canio has become disillusioned with life at West Ham since the departure
of former boss Harry Redknapp, who resurrected the 33-year-old's career
by bringing him to Upton Park.
Although Di Canio has become a cult figure with fans during his two years
at West Ham, Roeder is not afraid to let him go and is prepared for the
angry backlash from supporters that his departure would provoke.
Across in West London, Tigana is determined to establish Fulham as a credible
Premiership force.
The Frenchman wants to add three more players before the start of the season
and knows that with Al Fayed's backing, transfer funds are not a problem.
| D.O.B. |
9th July 1968 |
Height |
5' 8 |
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Web
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P.O.B
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Rome, Italy |
Weight |
10st 10 |
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Di Canio's career in
English football seemed to be finished in September 1998 after he
pushed over referee Paul Alcock while playing for Sheffield Wednesday.
But Harry Redknapp, despite cynicism from some quarters, gave the
Italian a fresh start with the Hammers in January 1999, following
four months in exile.
Di Canio, who made his Irons debut away to Wimbledon in the Premiership
(January 1999), and scored his first goal in claret and blue a month
later (at Upton Park v Blackburn), has vast European experience.
He won the Uefa Cup with Juventus and reached the Champions' League
final with AC Milan, where he also gained Italian League and European
Super Cup medals.
In his first year at the club, the near £2 million fee to
bring Paolo to Upton Park looked a bargain. He has a vast array
of skills and an unpredictable genius not seen in England since
the likes of Stan Bowles and Rodney Marsh – but Di Canio is
also a leader, with vision and intelligence.
Just after bringing Di Canio to West Ham, manager Redknapp spoke
of him as "an outstanding footballer". Redknapp told how
he had spoken to Tommy Burns and had been informed by Di Canio's
former boss at Celtic that he was "a good trainer" with
"great talent" and that he was not a problematic player.
If anything Burns was underplaying the Italian's massive ability
and his outstanding professional attitude.
source onefootball
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Source The Mirror
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