Charles Taylor Is Not For Sale -Hearts

Accra Hearts of Oak will not sell star striker, Charles Taylor, to rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko. The team manager of the six-time Ghanaian league champions has therefore urged Kotoko to stay away from the player. Steve Akwettey says Hearts have signed a three-year contract extension with Taylor which Kotoko must respect.

“The boy has signed a contract extension and Kotoko must know that. We think Kotoko have been preaching professionalism and must practice that. They must stay off Taylor”, he says.

Mr. Akwettey says Hearts will hold on to the player despite reports that he has expressed interest in moving to Kumasi. Charles Taylor has played in just one game for Hearts in the LG Top 4 since returning from trials in Switzerland and has not trained with the team since the Hearts-Kotoko game in Kumasi last two Sundays.

Mr. Akwettey contends that the player’s attitude is not indicative of any desire to leave Hearts but rather a result of the pressure he claims Kotoko is bringing to bear on him.

“The boy cannot concentrate now because of the pressure Kotoko is putting on him. We are doing all we can to get him back on track now and hopefully, he should be in action on Sunday”.

Kotoko officials have refused to comment on the issue but have confirmed they sent an official letter requesting the commencement of negotiations which Hearts refused. This is the second time Hearts and Kotoko have been caught in a tussle for Taylor who is the reigning Ghanaian footballer of the year.