Hasselbaink in, Sutton out

Hasselbaink mum over Chelsea transfer


By AFP, 2000-05-24

MADRID, May 24 (AFP) - Atletico Madrid's Dutch international striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink denied here on Wednesday that he was on the verge of moving from relegated Spanish First Division giants Atletico Madrid to English FA Cup winners Chelsea.

A report in Tuesday's Madrid daily AS suggested the 28-year-old had reached an agreement with the English Premiership side and was only waiting for permission from the Spanish Cup finalists for the move to be completed.

AS maintained that Hasselbaink had agreed a four-year deal with Chelsea but the Spanish team, relegated after 64 years in the top flight, wanted 25.5 million dollars.

But Hasselbaink told a press conference: "I don't know anything about these rumours. I haven't spoken to any papers. When I know something is fixed I'll tell you."

AS claimed the player's agent Humphrey Nijman had said the London side were offering 23m dollars and that the move would go through after the Spanish Cup final between Atletico and Espanyol on Saturday.

Hasselbaink moved to Atletico last summer after a prolonged transfer wrangle with Chelsea's English Premiership rivals Leeds United.

The Dutchman had proved a big hit at Leeds, where he notched 34 goals in just 69 appearances, after joining them from Boavista of Portugal with whom he scored 20 goals in 29 matches.