Euro 2016

Robson-Kanu in no hurry to choose offer

Hal Robson-Kanu of Wales celebrates after putting Wales in front during the 3-1 Euro quarter-final win over Belgium.
Hal Robson-Kanu of Wales celebrates after putting Wales in front during the 3-1 Euro quarter-final win over Belgium. PHOTO: EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY

LYON • Hal Robson-Kanu will return from Euro 2016 to a host of offers from clubs in the English Premier League and on the continent.

The 27-year-old, whose goal against Belgium on Friday has inspired comparisons with Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, is without a club after electing not to renew his contract at English Championship side Reading.

He has, however, made full use of Wales' remarkable run to the last four in France. The forward, who was released by Arsenal as a 15-year-old, has scored twice in his country's five games so far.

He completely bamboozled Jason Denayer, Thomas Meunier and Marouane Fellaini with a perfectly executed Cruyff turn, before calmly dispatching the ball beyond Thibaut Courtois to put Wales on their way to a famous victory in the quarter-final.

His strike also led to fans of several Premier League clubs taking to social media to demand their respective sides make a move for the free agent, and there is no shortage of interest in securing his services.

Watford, Swansea City and Southampton made their interest clear before a ball had been kicked in France, and Robson-Kanu has himself said he has offers waiting on the table whenever Wales' incredible success should end.

But there are not only domestic clubs interested in obtaining his signature.

His work rate and hold-up play have also attracted the interest of German clubs Wolfsburg and Schalke, and Monaco in France, who are understood to be keen on the prospect of signing him without paying a fee.

Regardless of that, he is for the moment only focused on trying to get Wales to the final in Paris on Sunday.

"I said before the Euros started that I'd make a decision on my club future after the Euros," he said. "I'm aware of the interest in me. The last few summers obviously Premier League clubs have come in for me but the bids were rejected.

"So I ran my contract down to be in a position to make a decision on where I go and obviously I'll sit down after the Euros finish and make a decision - and it will be a big one for myself and my family."

THE TIMES, LONDON

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 04, 2016, with the headline Robson-Kanu in no hurry to choose offer. Subscribe