Marsaxlokk enter chase for Woods

Rivals Birkirkara and Sliema Wanderers are not alone in chasing the signature of Ivan Woods after it emerged yesterday that Marsaxlokk have also tabled an attractive bid to sign the Malta midfielder-cum-striker.

Pietà Hotspurs' readiness to listen to offers for one of their most prized assets has sparked a frenzy of interest from the three ambitious clubs.

Reliable sources have told The Times that the three suitors have had positive talks with the Hotspurs over the terms and conditions of Woods's potential transfer. The onus is now on the 28-year-old former Valletta striker to decide which of the three clubs he wants to join.

On Thursday, Birkirkara were seen as favourites to make Woods their second major capture in two days after they signed Etienne Barbara from Marsaxlokk but Robert Arrigo, the Sliema boss, moved swiftly to voice his interest in the Pietà player.

Marsaxlokk were the latest team to enter the chase for Woods who was still weighing up his options yesterday evening.

Establishing himself as one of the leading and most committed players in the Premier League over the last three seasons, Woods' coming of age is also reflected in his 11 appearances for the national team in the last 14 months.

Pernis - no stranger

Meanwhile, Sliema are also toying with the idea of signing of a foreign striker in the next weeks.

Lubos Pernis, from Slovakia, was expected to land in Malta last night with a view to initiating talks with the Maltese champions.

Pernis is no stranger to Sliema having formed part of Slovak team SK Matador Puchov that beat the current Maltese champions 4-2 on aggregate in the 2001-2002 UEFA Cup.

Any deal with Pernis would be dependent on Sliema freeing up one of the three slots for foreigners as the Malta FA's controversial rules preclude clubs from registering more than three non-Maltese if they have players from non-EU countries on their books.

Nigerians Murphy Akanji and Orosco Anonam - the latter is married to a Maltese woman, and Serbia and Montenegro striker Danilo Doncic, currently fill the Wanderers' quota of three non-Maltese players.

With the transfer business expected to intensify in the coming days, Msida St Joseph are also expected to make attempts to bolster their squad.

Barbara's move to Birkirkara could well prompt Msida to revive their interest in Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza.

Yesterday evening Msida had also discussions over the potential transfer of Sliema striker Adrian Mifsud.

The Stripes, headed by chairman Victor Zammit, are also looking to sign an experienced goalkeeper.