Transfer Tales: Jaap Stam signs for Man Utd
“Every big club has been in for Stam,” stated Ferguson. “All the top Premiership clubs, in fact. He’s an excellent player and he would be good for us.”
Stam was determined to clinch the transfer he craved before concentrating on the World Cup. “It’s a ridiculous attitude from PSV. They are not happy to accept £10 million when they bought me for £1 million from Willem II two years ago. There is no other player in Europe who has multiplied his value tenfold during that time.”
Indeed, a year earlier, Liverpool were said to be favourites ahead of United to land the centre-back for a mere £2.5 million after Roy Evans made a personal check on his form. However, Stam did admit it was always going to be Old Trafford in his mind. “I’ve always been a fan of English football and especially United,” he later said. “Everybody knows United in Holland, so it’s huge here.”
Despite talk of a late bid from new Rangers boss Advocaat, the deal was finally concluded to suit all parties and Stam went to the World Cup as a United player.
After winning the Treble in 1999, and securing Premier League titles in the following two seasons as well, the rugged centre-back was surprisingly sold to Lazio in 2001.
