Baggies in limbo as Anelka quits

West Brom were in the dark last night after controversial striker Nicolas Anelka said he had quit the club.

Anelka announced he will tear up his contract with West Brom and leave the club over the fallout from his infamous ‘quenelle’ goal celebration.

The French striker wrote on Twitter: “I have taken the decision to free myself and put an end to the contract linking me with West Bromwich Albion.

“Following talks between the club and me, propositions were made to me in order to reintegrate me into the squad under certain conditions that I cannot accept. Wishing to retain my integrity, I have therefore taken the decision to free myself and put an end to the contract linking me with West Bromwich Albion to 2014, with immediate effect.”

West Brom last night said they had received no formal notification of Anelka’s wish to leave immediately. The midlands club said in a statement: “The club confirms it has been continuing discussions with Nicolas Anelka and his advisers as part of its own internal enquiry into the gesture he made after scoring against West Ham United on December 28.

“The club notes Nicolas Anelka’s comments on Twitter this evening. However, the club has received nothing formally regarding the termination of Nicolas Anelka’s contract from either him or his advisers.

“The club regards the release of such a statement on social media as highly unprofessional and will make a further statement when appropriate.”

Anelka is today due to begin a five-match ban imposed for making the gesture, which has anti-Semitic links, after scoring against West Ham on December 28. An independent regulatory commission accepted there was no intent by Anelka to be anti-Semitic.

The Anelka controversy piles even more pressure on beleaguered West Brom manager Pepe Mel ahead of today’s trip to Swansea.