U.S. and Fulham star Clint Dempsey has not travelled with the Fulham squad for their pre-season training camp in Switzerland, furthering speculation that he is on his way to Liverpool.
Dempsey, who scored 23 goals in 45 games for Fulham last season, held talks with manager Martin Jol and it was agreed he should remain in London and train with the youth team.
While Fulham insist that the decision was based purely on Dempsey’s lack of fitness, you would think that his fitness would improve more during a training camp with the Fulham first team rather than training with the youth team.
A Fulham spokesperson told ESPN:
“Clint remained behind to work on his fitness along with Hugo Rodallega.
“Contrary to popular belief the player has not refused to go, he has not had a bust up with the manager, he and Martin Jol get on fine.
“Equally we have not had an offer for Clint and nor would the club welcome one.”
Liverpool are playing hardball over the transfer because Dempsey has just entered the final year of his contract, and the Reds believe they can get him for around £5 million, which is less than half what Fulham want for.
So with the clubs at an impasse, Dempsey has taken matters into his own hands, according to Goal.com, who report the player and manager Martin Jol had a heated debate at the training ground before the Dutchman eventually relented.
With Liverpool working to move Andy Carroll to West Ham or Newcastle, the funds they receive from that deal would then be used to buy Dempsey.