Greek International Choutos Is Targeted

Last updated : 08 October 2003 By Mark Heys
The agent of Olympiakos striker Lambros Choutos has once again confirmed that the Greek International is wanted by Bolton Wanderers with a January move for the unsettled player said to be on the cards perhaps even sooner if the Greek champions terminate his contract.

Speculation was rife over the summer that Choutos would join compatriot Stelios Giannakopoulos at Bolton but at that time the Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce had said the financial package for the striker wasn't within the Trotters range but admitted a future move for the player could be on the cards, a claim which has since been backed up by the players agent Antonio Caliendo.

"I have heard about Bolton and about the interest from a couple of clubs too, The main thing is to understand what is really going on in Athens, as I have not spoken to the Olympiakos board recently.

"I can confirm he has offers, but it's too soon to say anything more about his future."

The 24-year old striker has recently come under some pressure by the Greek champions culminating in rumours that the players contract may be paid up but in any case the player will be out of contract in the summer so many clubs will understandably have been alerted none more so it seems than ourselves and Portuguese outfit Benfica, however it has been ruled out by the players agent that Choutos will return to Italy where he was a graduate of the AS Roma youth set up before returning home a couple of years ago.

"As for now, I am not aware of any Italian club enquiring for him, Who will rival the English offer? I know there's something going on in Portugal, with Benfica interested in swooping for the player.

"We'll have to wait and see."