Isaksson keen on Galatasaray

Goalkeeper hoping to join Turkish side

Last updated: 29th January 2008

Isaksson

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Manchester City goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson wants to join Galatasaray before the transfer window closes at midnight on Thursday.

The Swedish international is desperate to move away from Eastlands as Joe Hart continues to occupy the No.1 spot at City and he needs to get first-team football ahead of this summer's European Championship.

The Swede has options available to him and manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has said he will not block his compatriot's exit.

Eriksson said: "He wants to leave and there are a couple of possibilities for him to do that.

"I will not stand in his way. He is still young and is a regular for Sweden.

"He wants to play in Austria and Switzerland this summer and perhaps he does not feel there is enough space for him here."

Last chance

Isaksson told Expressen: "I've made it perfectly clear that I want to leave and it's Galatasaray that matters to me now.

"Finally there is a club willing to invest in me. This is my last chance and I hope they (Manchester City) don't throw a spanner in the works.

"Galatasaray have said they're buying me in order to play me. It's not acceptable sitting on the bench, I'm not happy about it."

Joe Hart is set to continue between the posts against Derby at Pride Park on Wednesday and Eriksson believes he is good enough to play for England.

Fabio Capello is set to choose his first squad for the friendly against Switzerland next month and there is speculation that Hart could be included.

Quality

Eriksson said: "If you are talking about experience, yes it is too soon for him.

"But if you are talking about quality, no it is not too soon.

"If they pick him, he will handle it very well. The focus on the England team is enormous but he would learn a lot from the experience.

"If he is not in this squad it will not be long before he is selected, maybe in one or two years."