Fulham Reject Batistuta

By Matthew Jones
June 7 2002

Fulham rejected the chance to sign Gabriel Batistuta earlier this year, according to a report. The Argentina striker who faces England in the World Cup was offered to the club by Roma, says Fulham spokesman Chester Stern.

Fulham rejected the chance to sign Gabriel Batistuta earlier this year, according to a report.

The Argentina striker who faces England in the World Cup was offered to the club by Roma, says Fulham spokesman Chester Stern.

But Stern insists that Batistuta was not in manager Jean Tigana's plans.

He told the Daily Express: "In the early part of the year one of our directors was approached through a third party representing Batistuta. We were asked if we would be interested in signing him.

"Jean Tigana was asked and we immediately responded with a 'thanks, but no thanks'.

"Jean didn't give his reason, but his policy is to maximise profits on young players rather than buy older ones who might be very expensive and not have any resale value after their contract."