By Mark Heys
June 14 2007

Bolton Wanderers newly crowned Player of the Year Jussi Jaaskelainen has turned down the chance of extending his contract with the Trotters which still has another twelve months to run.

The 32-year old Finnish international is the Trotters longest serving player having signed for the club from VPS Vaasa in November 1997 but agent Peter Harrison says the club and player are still poles apart in their figures.

Jaaskelainen has played in over 300 games for Bolton and has over the last few years become one of the most consistent and talented custodians in the top flight.

A whole host of clubs have been linked to the veteran Scandanavian with Sunderland and Manchester United amongst the most recent to be mentioned in the press,

Bolton will strive to keep the stopper after seemingly losing Tal Ben-Haim on a Bosman transfer this summer and they will be very cautious as to allow that to happen again.

Harrison, a man at the centre of the BBC Panorama bungs scandal in September of last year, says that Jaaskelainen has turned down new terms but is happy to stay at the Reebok in the final year of his current deal.

"Jussi has turned down his contract with Bolton. He is happy to see out the last year of his current contract at the Reebok but at the moment that's as far as it goes." said Harrison to the Manchester Evening News

"He has given 10 years' great service to Bolton and he is recognised as one of the top three keepers in the Premiership, if not the best."

Harrison beleives Jaaskelainen is of particular interest to clubs because he is already tried and tested at the top level in comparison to other keepers who have just entered the UK from abroad.

"The goalkeeping position is a difficult one to fill. You only have to look at other clubs who have spent fortunes on overseas keepers and they haven't worked out.

"Jussi has never given Bolton any problems because he is solid and reliable, he just wants what he feels he is worth."

Meanwhile, the Daily Star claims that Bolton reserve keeper Ian Walker wants to move on to kick start his flagging career. The 35-year old joined Wanderers from Leicester City two years ago but is yet to make a Premiership appearance for the club.