August 20 2003

Julian Gray

Contract rebel Julian Gray has warned Crystal Palace to sell him to Premiership Charlton or lose him to a foreign club for nothing.

Palace are set to miss out on a transfer fee of up to £750,000, after the 23-year-old winger arrived in Germany on Tuesday to open negotiations over a free transfer to Bundesliga side Hannover 96.

Speaking exclusively to the Croydon Guardian from Germany, Gray said: "It's all up in the air at the moment. Charlton put in a bid for me and we are waiting to see if it’s accepted.

"I want to play in the Premiership but if the clubs can’t agree a fee I have to keep my options open, which is why I am here in Germany."

Charlton took Gray on trial last month and made an official bid, but they are unwilling to meet Palace's demands for compensation due under Football League rules for players under the age of 24.

Palace boss Steve Kember told the Guardian: "Charlton made a derisory offer which in the context of us allowing him to go there was completely out of order. They knew what the deal was and what we expected - to get our money back."

New FIFA regulations allow players under 24 to move abroad for free which would mean Palace missing out on any payment if Gray now joins the German club.

Gray said: "I just want to play football and if moving abroad means I can go on a free transfer, it’s something I have to look at."

Because of a sell-on clause with Arsenal, Palace rejected a bid by Leeds United because they originally wanted more than the £500,000 they paid in July 2000. But faced with the threat of losing him for nothing, they will now settle for their money back.

Kember said: "We didn’t think it would come to this. If Julian wants to go and play in Germany in the Third Division for a year it is up to him.

"From the club's financial point of view it doesn't do us any favours, because we have paid money out for him which is what we expect to get back."

Gray says he has no regrets about turning down the offer of a week-to-week contract with Palace while his transfer is negotiated, and is now desperate to team up with Paolo Di Canio at the Valley.

He said: "He’s a great player, and it would be very exciting to play with him and learn from him."

But while Kember awaits the much-needed finds to strengthen his squad, he hopes Gray does not make a mistake which hampers his career.

He added: "It was Julian's choice to do it the way he has done it and I just hope he doesn’t end up with egg on his face."