Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd has admitted defeat in his quest to sign Fulham striker Collins John – for now. Fulham are keen to offload the temperamental Netherlands forward and had agreed a fee with the Hornets but the player is not keen on a move to the Premiership’s bottom club.
John initially rejected the Hornets ten days previouly after Watford failed to meet his wage demands, but the Hertfordshire club made a renewed bid for the player with an offer closer to his reported current salary of £20,000 per week.
“I’ve spoken to his representatives and he said at this point in time, no,” Boothroyd said.
“I think there is still some hope but I’m looking at other options.”
Liberia-born John, who joined the Cottagers from FC Twente aged 18, has always been regarded as a hot prospect and was Fulham’s top scorer in the 2005/6 season with 13 league goals.
However he is known to have been reluctant to play out of position in midfield when asked to by boss Chris Coleman who it seems wants to offload the player.
Watford, for their part, have struggled for goals and with last season’s top scorer Marlon King out for the season a striker is their number one priority.
“We need to attract some more because at the moment we haven’t got enough depth,” continued Boothroyd.
“It would be a lot easier if we were at the top of the league but that’s where I come in.
“I’ve got to try and persuade people to come here and sell them the vision we have for 2010. Players who come here develop.”
Newcastle, Sheffield United and Charlton have also been linked with John.
