Fulham want Edwin van der Sar, who has performed impressively for Holland at the European Championship finals, to stay at Craven Cottage when his contract expires in a year’s time — but only if he takes a cut in pay.
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| Edwin van der Sar |
The goalkeeper saved Olof Mellberg’s penalty in the shoot-out against Sweden on Saturday night, sealing a place for Holland in the semi-final against Portugal tomorrow. But while Van der Sar’s international career is at its peak, he faces questions over his future at club level.
The goalkeeper, who will be 34 in October, has 12 months left on a four-year contract worth about £40,000 a week. Van der Sar’s wages — the highest of any player at the club — will be the biggest bone of contention when his future is discussed next season.
In 2001, Mohamed Al Fayed, the Fulham chairman, financed a £7 million move for the former Ajax and Juventus player. However, Fulham tried to offload Van der Sar last summer in an attempt to rein in soaring costs at the club. There were no takers.
Chris Coleman, the manager, is keen to extend the contract of the goalkeeper,who is a popular figure in the dressing-room and was voted player of the season by fans in May, but Al Fayed’s desire to reduce the outlay on wages has created an obstacle to a potential deal. This month, Van der Sar, reported to be a target for PSV Eindhoven, said that he would only return to the Netherlands to play for Ajax.