By Ameenu Shardow
Asante Kotoko insist their decision to open talks with Hearts striker Mahatma Otoo is only professional and not a plot to unsettle the Phobians ahead of Sunday’s Super Clash.
The Premier League champions sent their letter of notification to the Hearts secretariat on Thursday evening through their Communications Team member; Nana Kwame Dankwah.
Otoo whose contract ends at the end of the season, is free to open talks with any club per the FIFA rules that empowers players with at least six-months left on their existing deal to start negotiations with any club of their choice.
Kotoko are thus only serving notice of their intent to open talks with the 21-year-old who will be leading the Hearts attack in Sunday’s Super Clash at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Some are already interpreting Kotoko’s move as a deliberate attempt to unsettle the camp of the Phobians ahead of their Premier League meeting on Sunday.
But Nana Kwame Dankwah who hand-delivered the letter to the Hearts secretariat on Thursday insists it is only a professional move.
“We are not interested in unsettling Hearts ahead of Sunday’s game, we as a professional club are only seeking to sign a good player,†he told GHANAsoccernet.com.
“It has absolutely nothing to do with Sunday’s Premier League game.â€
This is Kotoko’s second attempt of signing the Ghana international.
The Porcupine Warriors had an official bid for the in-form striker rejected by Hearts at the tail end of last season.
The Raindow club are however unlikely to let go of Otoo without a fight as they have already opened talks with the Ghana striker over a contract renewal.