Annan set on English switch

Ghana starlet attracting Prem interest

By Graeme Bailey   Last updated: 6th June 2008

anthony annan ghana start

Annan: Ready for move

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Ghana starlet Anthony Annan is ready to seal a move to England this summer.

The 21-year-old is one of the most highly-rated players in Scandinavia and a host of clubs have been keeping a close eye on his progress.

Annan is currently on loan with Stabaek, who are top of the table in Norway, as his parent club Start were relegated.

Stabaek would love to prolong his stay with them, but Annan is now ready to move and a summer transfer looks increasingly likely.

Blackburn, Bolton, Everton and Middlesbrough are thought to have watched him in recent weeks, whilst Derby and Birmingham are also keen on offering him terms.

Annan impressed hugely in the recent African Cup of Nations - where he started every match for Ghana alongside close friends Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari.

Indeed both Essien and Muntari have sung Annan's praises and recommended him to their own clubs.

Interest

"He is definitely looking to move this summer," Craig Honeyman of SEM told skysports.com.

"He was outstanding in the Africa Cup along with Essien and Muntari and that only shows what standard he is up to at this stage.

"His priority is most definitely a move to England, he has seen how the likes of Essien and Muntari have done."

Honeyman admitted that there was already substantial interest in Annan but he would not confirm which clubs were ready to make moves.

"There is interest and a lot from the Premier League, playing in Norway has been great for him as all big clubs in England have scouts and people over there," he continued.

"But we are not going to start naming names at this stage, but there are a number who have expressed their interest.

"We widely expect something to happen in the near future and we are confident he will be playing in England next season."