The agent of the Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi has accused the club of trying to force him out of the club. Peter Harrison is mystified as to why the Premier League club have handed contract extensions to the likes of centre-back Andy O'Brien and striker Kevin Davies, but have ignored the Oman international Al-Habsi, who is a free agent next summer when his current deal runs out.
A posse of top-flight clubs are monitoring Al-Habsi, 26, who was signed by Sam Allardyce from Norwegian side Lyn Oslo on a free transfer in January 2006. Harrison said: "Ali is in the last year of his contract and they haven't offered him anything. Several clubs in the Premier League are very interested in signing him. "I don't know why Bolton haven't offered him a contract - maybe you have to ask the manager, Gary Megson or the chairman (Phil Gartside).
"It's strange that Andy O'Brien and Kevin Davies have had extensions when Ali hasn't been offered anything. Obviously they don't want to keep him.'' Al-Habsi has already been linked with West Ham, Blackburn, Hull and West Brom. sports@thenational.ae
