FOOTBALL: Jess poised for pounds 2m move to Coventry

Football

DAVID McKINNEY

Eoin Jess, the 25-year-old Aberdeen striker, is poised for a move to Coventry in a deal worth pounds 2m. Jess, freed by Rangers as a young player, has openly indicated he would welcome a move to the English Premiership, and although he has scored just three goals this season, Coventry will be purchasing his potential as much as his past achievements.

The player, whose contract expires in the summer, will be allowed to make the move he has sought since being asked to be placed on the transfer list earlier in the season. But many Aberdeen supporters might be surprised Coventry are the first of the half-dozen clubs who are interested in him to make a move.

The Bosman ruling which abolished transfer fees among European clubs ensures that Aberdeen will be only too happy to accept the money for a player who would be able to walk free in the summer, but the departure of such a talent will still be a big loss.

Jess, who has scored once in 10 appearances for Scotland, has been earmarked for an extended role with the national side by Craig Brown, either in attack or in the midfield role he has adapted to so readily. He is a prime contender for a place in the squad for this summer's European Championship finals.

His career at Aberdeen started with a flourish: he was a member of the League Cup winning side of 1989, but with the arrival of Willie Miller as manager he spent three frustrating years on the fringes of the first team.

Aitken provided a new dawn for a player approaching the peak of his career. He was the outstanding player in the Coca-Cola Cup semi-final against Rangers last October, overshadowing even Paul Gascoigne as Aberdeen won 2-1. However, he failed to agree new terms with Aitken earlier in the season and there is no doubt Aberdeen will look to realise a financial return for his departure.