Asamoah deal back on?

By Nathan Jackson
March 8 2005

Derek Asamoah's agent has told the Echo that Lincoln want the striker on loan with the option of making it permanent. This comes after Keith denied he had offered Asamoah a contract to come to Sincil Bank after being placed on the transfer list and told he wouldn't play for Mansfield again.

The striker has been on the transfer list for a week and a half after a bust up with caretaker manager Carlton Palmer. After speculation Keith Alexander denied on radio he had offered to buy Asamoah but he did admit he had made an enquiry about him. Now Chris Collymore, Asamoah's agent, has claimed that City want the striker on loan with the option to make it permanent at the end of the season.

"Lincoln City want to take him on loan to the end of the season with an option to sign him permanently, If we can't reach an amicable solution with Mansfield, it will be better for him to play for a club where he is wanted." Collymore told the Echo, however, Boston United are also said to be interested but Asamoah wants to stay at Mansfield.

"Derek does not want to leave Mansfield. He does prefer to play as a striker, but he is happy to play wherever he is asked." Continued Collymore, however Carlton Palmer has said he won't be playing Asamoah as long as he is manager.

Keith Alexander has responded by saying "The fact of the matter is I made an enquiry about Derek Asamoah a couple of weeks ago because he wasn't in the side, but Mansfield want money for him. He's on good wages and I'm not prepared to pay a fee for him. They want to get rid of him but also want a fee, so at this moment in time there's nothing more to be said. He's just one of a number of forwards I've enquired after because apart from Simon Yeo, who is scoring regularly, we're struggling for goals. We need to bring people in to kick-start our season again."