Wiltord and Kanu to go
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Wiltord and Kanu to go
Matt Scott
Saturday January 10, 2004
The Guardian
Arsenal are set to write off a £17.5m investment at the end of the season with the strikers Sylvain Wiltord and Kanu leaving for nothing.
Arsenal have offered Wiltord a new deal but with significantly reduced terms and Kanu has been told that the manager Arsène Wenger will not be renewing his contract.
Wenger claimed last night that Wiltord's summer exit is his own choice and that, having secured Sol Campbell on a free transfer from Tottenham in 2001, it would be hypocritical to complain. "He is committed, but it is the Bosman rule and you have to respect it."
The deadline for representa tions against the government's approval of the compulsory purchase orders necessary for Arsenal's Ashburton Grove stadium project passed yesterday.
The Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and Southampton striker Kevin Phillips have been charged with improper conduct by the FA after their clash at St Mary's on December 29.
The Nigeria coach Christian Chukwu has insisted that Bolton's Jay-Jay Okocha and Kanu must report for African Nations Cup duty on Monday at the latest. Bolton and Arsenal were hoping to hold on to the players for at least another week but Chukwu said he would report both clubs to Fifa should they fail to comply.