Any info on this lad?

Vitesse Arnhem have claimed that Newcastle have made a £6m bid for their striker Victor Sikora who has played for Bobby Robson while at Barcelona.

The 23-year-old striker is in the Dutch squad that will play Cyprus in a World Cup qualifying game in Amsterdam on Wednesday and has been regularly watched by Newcastle this season. However Celtic boss Martin O'Neill is also claimed to be interested so Newcastle may not have an unhindered path to his signing.

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2001

Answers

Some snippets I've found. Looks like Vittesse can't afford to keep him.

VITESSE ARNHEM have rejected a bid of around $7million from Italian side Udinese for their Dutch international striker Victor Sikora. The Serie A club have offered a figure in the region of $6.8 million for the 22-year-old attacker although the financially-troubled Dutch outfit have rejected the offer for now. Sikora has also been targeted by Celtic and Tottenham Hotspur but Vitesse expect and hope to receive about $9 million for their prize asset. Sikora is under contract with Vitesse until 2005, but he has declared he prefers to play in the English Premiership above the Italian Serie A.

GERMAN BUNDESLIGA outfit Hertha BSC are no longer interested in signing Vitesse Arnhem striker Victor Sikora. The speedy winger and new Dutch international has attracted interest from several clubs this season with Tottenham Hotspur, Celtic and Udinese all reported to be interested in the player. Because of the financial trouble Vitesse are currently in, they are eager to sell Sikora for the highest possible price. An initial bid from Udinese of about $US 7 million was not enough for Vitesse to let Sikora go, and the refusal of such an offer has now forced Hertha BSC to go and look elsewhere for other attacking options. The German club is not willing to become embroiled in an auction with other clubs which they feel will drive the star's price too high.

Martin O'Neill is set to have a close look at Vitesse Arnhem winger Victor Sikora with Bobby Petta's injury having failed to clear up. The player gained his first cap for Holland against Turkey last month, and was watched by a host of scouts, including Celtic. The one problem O'Neill has with such a deal is Celtic's current cash flow problems, but no doubt the Dutch side would be open to a pay-per- play scheme as they are struggling financially at the moment. He's 22-years-of-age, with Italian side Udinese having had a bid of around £5 million rejected, and we understand former Spurs boss George Graham was ready to make a move before his untimely departure from the London based club.

Vitesse were ahead when the outstanding Victor Sikora whipped over a cross from the left which Bob Peeters volleyed home

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2001

NEWCASTLE UNITED have been credited with an interest in Vitesse Arnhem`s in-demand winger Victor Sikora. The 23-year-old has produced a string of fine performances this term, prompting Holland coach Louis Van Gaal to give him his international debut in the recent friendly with Turkey.

A host of clubs have been monitoring the wide-man`s progress, with Celtic, Hertha Berlin and Udinese all compiling dossiers on him.

Vitesse are desperate to keep hold of one of their brightest talents, but are heavily in debt to former sponsors NUON to the tune of £17 million.

This could allow a club to sign the youngster in a cut-price deal, with a fee of £4 million the rumoured price, something which would be to the taste of shrifty Newcastle.

Toon boss Bobby Robson has not been informed how much money he will have available for squad strengthening in the summer, but he is desperate to improve the depth at St James` Park.

Sikora is an unproven talent, but his drive and direct style of play would undoubtedly add a new dimension to the Tyneside squad.

Celtic are also looking to strengthen their squad ahead of a Champions League challenge, and Bhoys boss Martin O`Neill could be a stern rival for Robson to overcome.

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2001

De Builder:

Viktor Sikora (11-04-78 Deventer, The Netherlands) first club- RODA Deventer (amateur) 1994/95 Go Ahead Eagles played 1, goals 0 1995/96 Go Ahead Eagles 14, 1 1996/97 Go Ahead Eagles 32, 8 1997/98 Go Ahead Eagles 31, 12 1998/99 Go Aead Eagles 29, 13 1999/00 Vitesse Arnhem 28, 8

Siklora is in his second season in the Dutch top-flight with Vitesse and is developing into a fine all-round attacking player, good enough to get an international call-up. Pacey, lots of flair, and self- confidence bordering on arrogance; he's not above trying to nutmeg opponents. Last season he played behind Van Hooijdonk, this season he's been used more on the wing, where he has been very effective and evidently feels at home. He's two-footed, usually plays on the left, but can play on the right (Vitesse coach Ronald Koeman plays with with 3 forwards). Vitesse are in serious financial difficulties and Sikora is one of a number of players expected to leave the club in the close season. Unbelievably they sold Van Hooijdonk to Benfica, only to find the contract wasn't water-tight; Benfica's ownership changed hands and, so far, they haven't recieved a guilder/Escudo (wonder if Fred + Doug can attempt a similar arrangement). Criticisms of Sikora; sometimes lacks composure on the ball, his control sometimes lets him down when he's running at speed, he should score more and he picks up more than his share of bookings, and he doesn't track back enough. However he can continue developing as well as he has, and keep his confidence, IMHO he has the making of a good signing. My necessary get-out clause; the Dutch and English games are very different in terms of time-on-the-ball, patience, and the physical side of our game. Sikora has all the makings of a quality player, but then so had JDT. We certainly won't be the only club looking to sign him.

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2001

Crikey. A player who can play down the left or cut in to score goals as opportunity allows....bloody perfect! Cort, Dyer and this chap would give us all the creativity and a decent goal threat and still leave room for 3 tacklers/ball winners in midfield. Never happen, will it? Makes too much sense.

Can't help feeling that the "Go Ahead Eagles" scarf hanging up in the Strawberry is an omen :-)

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2001

Hertha Berlin have agreed to pay $5.7 million (£4 million) for Anderlecht's Belgian left-winger, Bart Goor.

There's one candidate we can cross off our lists.

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2001

£4 mill for Bart Goor!? Christ we could have had him, our one chance to sign an established left winger who can score goals and for a price close to an English midfielder who is only 19!!!

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2001

Thanks for the information Stevo. A report on Planetfootball has Frank De Boer proposing Ronald Keoman for the job at Barcelona.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2001

to be manager you have to have balls of solid steel, its one long personal attack spattered with doubt and ridicule, serrra ferrer went through a nightmare.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2001

of barca that is, my admiration for bob is huge, it takes a real character to try that job, well done bob and well done terry.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2001

I'd dee it, nae bother, great city, great stadium, loads of dosh to spend. OK so I'd get the sack after a few months and end up at some mediochre EPL club, but what the hell, be a nice holiday from being abused and ridiculed in Leeds.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2001

¿si señor, perdone, tu quieres une travabo coach de barça?

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2001

Si senor, por muchos doshos, cervezas & patatas fritas. Viva Cataluna!

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2001

Just read a glowing reference for Viktor Sikora from the chair of the Vitesse Arnhem supporters association, Harry Reusken. Asked to choose the player most popular with the fans he immediately named Sikora:

"When he gets the ball something happens in the Stadium. His fanaticism and his aggression get the crowd going. Above all he shows his face in the supporters club.... he has a good mentality and his popularity will only increase so long as he plays for the club".

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2001

stevo, i love your posts, great reading as ever

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2001

Thanks for the nice words Swift. Viktor Sikora came off the bench for the last 10 minutes of the Netherlands-Cyprus game this evening to collect his second cap. Unfortunately his only meaningful moment was getting booked 3 minutes later for some off-the-ball retaliation. The Dutch won 4-0 with Hasselbaink, Overmars, Kluivert and Van Nistelrooy on the score sheet.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2001

Kluivert in my opinion is a better player than Rivaldo, from what i´ve seen here in Barcelona.He´s big, quick, extremely skillfull and always seems to score. He would STORM the premier league, Man U missed a trick. He´s the Dutchman they should have signed.

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001