Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam, has insisted that he is happy at his current club Lazio, and played down speculation linking him with a return to the Premiership.
Stam has been linked to Liverpool, Newcastle and most recently Manchester City, and financially troubled Lazio may be tempted to cash in on the Dutch defender. However, the player insists that he is happy with the Rome club.
The defender said "There is a lot of talk going around in England that I could be joining Liverpool. But I am very happy here with manager Mancini. I've never asked to leave Lazio. I am happy with our results and with life in general in Italy."
However, that statement seemed to contradict quotes attributed to Stam at the weekend, where he claimed that he was interested in a move to Kevin Keegan's Manchester City. The possibility also remains that Lazio will be forced to sell the defender due to financial constraints. Manchester United are taking Lazio to court for non-payment of the majority of Stam's €19million fee, and that may force Lazio's hand.
Stam left United in August 2001, after he criticised fellow players and Alex Ferguson in his autobiography. United replaces the Dutchman with Laurant Blanc, who has struggled to cope with the pace of Premiership football.
Filed by Rob Wright
