Kickoff (Cape Town)
28 December 2008
German club Cologne say they have been unable to reach a deal for Derek Boateng to join them earlier than planned.
The Ghanaian midfielder has reached a deal to join the Bundesliga campaigners when his contract with Israeli side Beitar Jerusalem expires in June.
However, the German club's desire to bring the 25-year-old to the club in January to help him acclimatise is being delayed by the Israeli side's unwillingness to play ball.
"We have an agreement with the player that he wants to come to us on July 1, 2009," Cologne general manager Michael Meier Meier said.
"We have made Beitar an offer with the aim of allowing Boateng to transfer to Cologne as early as January 1, 2009 to get used to the Bundesliga for half a year.
"However, the expectations for the details of the transfer are still miles apart."
Boateng played three times for his country during the 2006 World Cup and has admitted that it would be a dream to play in the Bundesliga.
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