Turkey
international defender Alpay has finally handed in a
transfer request at Aston Villa, citing his poor treatment
by the club last season.
Alpay
had a final meeting with Villa manager Graham Taylor
on Tuesday and it resulted in him submitting a written
request for a move away due to growing "unhappiness".
But Villa claim Alpay has asked for a transfer because
the club has refused to meet his demand for a 50%
salary increase, which would have made him the club's
highest-paid player. Whatever the reasons behind his
intended departure, Alpay now looks set to follow
Paul Merson and George Boateng out of Villa Park.
"Over the last 10 days, I've had meetings to
stay at Aston Villa and I'm disappointed with the
way they have gone," revealed the 29-year-old
centre-back, who is valued at £11m. "There's
no point in me playing if I'm not happy because I
won't do any good for the team and it could affect
others."
Alpay last played a senior game for Villa on 1 December,
when he was stretchered off after an hour of a 2-0
home defeat by Leicester with a serious ankle injury.
After intensive treatment, he was passed fit to play
for his country in the World Cup and went on to become
one of the stars of the tournament in Turkey's run
to third place.
However, Alpay says his time in the Bodymoor Heath
treatment room in the first half of 2002 was particularly
difficult and, although he does not want to desert
the club's supporters, that was the main factor in
his decision.
"My unhappiness started because of the way I
was treated last year," he told the Express and
Star. "It's nothing to do with money, and Villa
are to pay my medical bills, but I got the impression
Villa didn't care for me. This has broken my heart.
"The only thing holding me here are the supporters.
I don't think I will ever see support like it from
anybody else ever again."
Alpay did not feature for Villa in their Intertoto
Cup run this summer due to illness, but many believe
he chose not to play as he did not want to be cup-tied
in Europe.
Leeds and Borussia Dortmund are said to be leading
the chase for the former Fenerbahce man, who cost
£5.6m when he moved to the Birmingham club in
July 2000. Alpay, nicknamed 'Alfie' at Villa, has
two years remaining on a four-year deal.
Villa have released an official statement on the developments
in which Taylor says: "Alfie feels there's an
opportunity for him after his World Cup performances
which may not come again and wants to see what might
be available before the transfer window closes on
31 August.
"But if nothing happens, I know he'll continue
to give his best for Villa. I've no qualms about his
commitment whilst he's with us and I still intend
to play him against Liverpool on Sunday.
"But if there's interest as a consequence of
Alfie's request, let there be no doubt that somebody
will have to pay a price that's acceptable to Aston
Villa."
