Reid demands Forest transfer

NOTTINGHAM FOREST and Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Reid has requested a transfer.

The 22-year-old cites growing frustration after the club’s decision to turn down a £5m bid for him from Tottenham in January and a second offer of £3m last month.

Reid stated on Monday he does not believe the club can win promotion to the Premiership in the coming season and fears he is being priced out of a transfer to a top flight club.

Dublin-born Reid said: “After a sequence of disappointing events during the last six months I have today reluctantly submitted a transfer request.

“Like any First Division player it’s my ambition to play in the Premiership and, despite several assurances that the club would not stand in my way if an opportunity came along, I have been denied this chance on a number of occasions and I feel I have no other choice than to formally state my desire to leave the club.

“I understand the club has to run itself as a business but surely a player is only worth what someone is prepared to pay and some of the values that have been placed on my head are ludicrous.

“You only have to look at the fees other clubs have paid this summer for experienced internationals who have only ever played in the Premier League to realise that I have been vastly priced out of a move.”

Forest confirmed the transfer request but would not comment further.

St Etienne have signed Liverpool striker Anthony Le Tallec on a year’s loan. Le Tallec, recruited by Gerard Houllier from Le Havre, has been allowed to leave on loan by Houllier’s successor, Rafael Benitez.

He is the French club’s fifth close-season recruit following their promotion as Ligue 2 champions.

St Etienne director of sport Damien Comolli said: “It’s a loan that is sadly without an option to buy. The Liverpool directors were inflexible on that point and they know the quality of the player.”

Le Tallec said: “[St Etienne coach] Elie Baup phoned me. The feeling was good even if he did not promise me a starting place.

“His pep-talk motivated me and confirmed to me that ASSE [St Etienne] were an ambitious club.”