Kameni rejects Espanyol offer
Carlos Kameni wants a new improved deal to stay at Espanyol.
Carlos Kameni has warned Espanyol that he is becoming unsettled as contract negotiations with the club have dragged on for two months.The Cameroon international goalkeeper, who has two years to run on his current deal, has been targeted by several of Europe's top clubs, including Manchester United, and he has asked for a pay rise if he is to stay at the Barcelona-based club.
Talks between Espanyol and Kameni's representatives began a month before the end of the season, with Espanyol immediatly offering to double his salary to ‚é¼600,000-a-year, raise his buy-out clause to ‚é¼12million and extend his contract until 2010.
But the highly-rated stopper has turned down the offer, although he insists that he is not doing this in order to force a move.
"I do not want anyone to think that I want to leave," he said. "I have every intention of staying and playing as I am very happy at Espanyol and in Barcelona.
"But people have to know what I am worth because I am not asking for a lot of money. I just want this sorted out as soon as possible."
Espanyol coach, Miguel Angel Lotina, is not impressed with Kameni's position and issued a warning that he must concentrate on keeping his place in the side.
"He has to start focusing on playing, because if he starts to think about other things, then they will become more important," said Lotina.
Kameni agrees with his boss, but believes that looking for an improved deal is all part of being at a football club.
"The trainer is right. I am going to work hard and stay focused as I have always done, but my contract is part of my work," added Kameni.
