Lars about that

From the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, first published Thursday 5th Oct 1995.

LARS Bohinen was set to complete his cut-price £700,000 move from Nottingham Forest to Blackburn Rovers today - and believes he is joining a club still capable of retaining the championship!

The Norwegian midfield ace, who would be worth three or four times his transfer value in an open market, watched last night's victory over Swindon from the directors' box.

And he will become the first of at least two new signings before Rovers' next game.

But, while Bohinen was set to check in, Lee Makel could be on his way out of Ewood - possibly bound for Crystal Palace.

I understand the midfielder, out of contract and therefore a free agent, has imminent talks lined up with the London club.

It is Bohinen's arrival, however, that will cause the greatest stir and help to create crucial competition for places.

He said last night that he expected things to be finalised today and is clearly relishing the prospect of joining Rovers.

"It is a new challenge and I am a little bit nervous about it, because it is a big move," he explained.

"I first heard of Blackburn's interest a month ago but it has been going slowly since then so I didn't really think about it. I will have to battle for my place but I don't think they are buying me just to strengthen the squad. "Although I was quite happy at Forest, everything is bigger here.

"And Rovers are still good enough to win the championship this year."

Bohinen, an attacking midfield player, could help give Rovers an extra dimension, especially if they persist with the sweeper system which, I feel, gives them so many more options.

He was available for a mere £700,000 because of a special clause in his contract.

Sources close to Forest believe Bohinen asked for £500,000 for the clause to be bought out by the Nottingham club.

In real terms, I have been told by good judges that he would rate as a £2-3 million player in the present market.

And that means the player himself will be laughing all the way to the bank today, leaving Forest somewhat bitter at their inability to hold on to the player.

Reports suggested suspended Norwegian agent Rune Hauge was involved in negotiating the Bohinen deal, with the FA asking for clarification. But Rovers today stated all negotiations had been conducted through the player himself and his official representative, Frank Mathiesen.

Bohinen had previously used a Swiss agent, whose services were dispensed with shortly before negotiations with Rovers.

Once the Bohinen deal is wrapped up, expect Rovers to move again very quickly as manager Ray Harford uses the break to re-inforce at all levels.

He admitted last night: "I expect to have at least two new players before the next game against Southampton - at least two." Rovers have also been chasing Dundee United midfielder Billy McKinlay and have had a bid rejected. Whether they pursue that further remains to be seen, because they do have other irons in the fire.

Jack Walker is said to want Matt Le Tissier, an intriguing possibility if it is true.

What would the rest of the Premiership think if Rovers were to sign him?

But, while no-one would question Le Tissier's ability, is he the right sort of player for Rovers?

Meanwhile, Makel's possible exit has been on the cards since summer when he turned down new terms in a bid to find regular first team football.

Significantly, perhaps, he wasn't included in either the reserve side on Monday or last night's 14 against Swindon.

As we revealed this week, Palace and Huddersfield have been stepping up their interest in him and Stoke City yesterday confirmed that they too would like to be in the queue.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.

Archive Home