Clint Dempsey‘s desire to leave Fulham before the transfer window closes in two weeks has prompted Coach Martin Jol to omit him from the team that will open thePremier League season against Norwich on Saturday.
Though Liverpool coach Brandan Rodgers said he’s inquired about a move for Dempsey, whose Fulham contract expires nextJune, Jol says no offer has been received. Dempsey pulled out of Fulham’s preseason training camp in anticipation of a move and has been in limbo since the club banned him from training.
“That was very disappointing,” Jol said on Friday. “There was never an offer. Clint himself told everyone he was going to Liverpool so we really thought there was quite a firm interest in him. Even(Rodgers) told everyone he was interested in Clint Dempsey, but our people never had an offer on the table, so it’s almost embarrassing. If you have shown interest in a player, especially in England,you have to follow it up with an offer. They didn’t.”
Dempsey, 29, scored 17 Premier League goals and 23 in all competitions last season. His unsettled club situation — he hasn’t trainedwith Fulham for the past month — prompted U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann to leave him out of the team that posted an historic 1-0 defeat of Mexico in Mexico City Wednesday night. Jolsaid the club was reluctant to sell Dempsey but now realize he’s determined to leave.