VietNamNet Bridge – VND500 million ($31,000) is how much Song Lam Nghe An football club is reportedly willing to part with in the hope it can keep star striker Van Quyen for two more years.

Striker Van Quyen

Two weeks ago, the two sides discussed Quyen’s new two-year contract. Quyen agreed to stay with Song Lam Nghe An for one more year, receiving pay as a normal footballer (VND6-10 million per month). In the second year, Quyen asked the club to pay him an amount of money (or bonus) equal to his value on the market.

Song Lam Nghe An didn’t agree, saying that they would pay Quyen a monthly salary of VND20 million his second year with the bonus to be discussed later.

Because of the differing views, Quyen refused to sign a two-year contract previously drawn up by Song Lam Nghe An. An anonymous source said that this player hired a lawyer to protect his interests in negotiations with Song Lam Nghe An.

The case became more serious when Song Lam Nghe An stated it would try to keep Quyen. Though the current contract between Quyen and Song Lam Nghe An will expire on December 31, 2008, Song Lam Nghe An is playing an important part in the effort to mitigate Quyen’s suspension. Quyen was suspended from playing football for four years by the Vietnam Football Federation for involvement in a match-fixing case in 2005, starting from March 2007). If Quyen leaves Song Lam Nghe An, his suspension may not be mitigated.

Two clubs, one playing in the First Division and the other in V-League tournament, have been in contact with Quyen, saying that they are ready to pay bonuses of hundreds of thousands of US dollars for a 2-year contract with this striker.

Afraid of losing Van Quyen, Song Lam Nghe An made concessions. According to an anonymous source, this club is willing to pay VND500 million and a monthly salary of VND25 million ($1,470) for Quyen’s second year with this team.

(Source: VNE)