Source: Daily_Mail
Spurs, Man City and Rovers on alert as Austria star aims for Premier League
Top Marc: Janko stars for his country[LNB] Premier League scouts will descend on the UPC Arena in Graz on Wednesday night to check the progress of Europe's most prolific striker. [LNB]Marc Janko, Austria's 6ft 5ins forward, might not be a household name in this country, but his scoring exploits - 30 goals in just 21 games for Red Bull Salzburg this season - in the Austrian league have made some of England's top clubs sit up and take notice. [LNB]Janko has attracted interest from Tottenham[LNB], Manchester City[LNB], Blackburn[LNB], Middlesbrough [LNB]and Wigan[LNB], while Celtic [LNB]have also been linked with a move.[LNB]But his club have made it clear they are in no rush to cash in on their prize asset. [LNB]The 25-year-old striker will start for Austria against Sweden in a friendly in the arena formerly known as the Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium, hoping to add to his reputation as one of Europe's most feared strikers and secure a move to English football. [LNB]The trouble for Red Bull Salzburg's finest is that his club are in no rush to sell. [LNB]That's why they demanded at least £9million before discussions even began over Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce's interest last month. [LNB]Janko will not rock the boat just yet but he knows come the summer, his club's stance will soften and a deal could be reached at closer to £6m. [LNB]Then he hopes to secure a move to Britain and fulfil a childhood dream. [LNB][LNB][LNB] Point to prove: Janko wants to make his mark in the Premier League[LNB]'When I was about 12 years old I was watching an English game on the television,' said Janko. 'It was West Ham against Watford and everything about the game; the pace, the crowd, the atmosphere was fantastic. I just turned to my father and said ''I'm going to play in England" and now I want to make it happen.' [LNB]Inevitably, there are concerns that his scoring record stems from an Austrian league which is not the strongest, but international goals against Italy, France and Serbia plus a UEFA Cup strike against Sevilla have helped dispel fears Janko is limited. [LNB]His pedigree couldn't be stronger. A former decathlete and talented tennis player, he has an Olympic bronze medallist for a mother - Eva in the javelin at Mexico in 1968 - a football coach father, and can boast tutelage under one of modern football's greats Lothar Matthaus. [LNB]Indeed Matthaus had been an idol to Janko as a boy, along with a certain Mark Hughes, when he supported Bayern Munich. [LNB][LNB][LNB] Two of the best: Janko admired Hughes (left) and Matthaus[LNB]'Matthaus gave me the confidence to believe I could be a top player. I loved the way Mark Hughes used to play and I have modelled myself on him a bit but Matthaus helped shape into the player I am. [LNB]'People will say the Austrian league is not so strong and, apart from Salzburg, Rapid and Austria Vienna, that may be the case, but you still have to put chances away and my record is comparable with the best. [LNB]'Also France, Italy and Serbia don't have poor defences and I have scored against them. It shows I can compete against the best. [LNB]'I know clubs are interested and I know I can play in England. It may take a little time to adjust to the tempo but I can handle the physical side that everyone talks about. [LNB]'I have a strong left foot, I'm good with my right and as you'd expect at 6ft 5ins I'm good in the air.' [LNB]Critics are already comparing him with Bayern's Luca Toni but Janko, who spent his holidays in London last summer and speaks good English, wants to carve his own niche. [LNB]'I just want to get to the Premier League and show what I can do. The club have been good enough to say I can go but they have to find a replacement soon too so it's important all round that something is tied up soon. [LNB]'We need to start talking to the clubs.' [LNB]He couldn't have put it any simpler. [LNB] Munich coach Klinsmann confident of keeping Ribery despite Real interest[LNB]Just the ticket: Mega-rich City keep the good times rolling[LNB]Safe as houses, on the brink or a goner? Sportsmail predicts the future for the remaining 18 Premier League managers[LNB]Winning four games earned the England rugby team a gong, so 20-year world-beater Giggs deserves a big Knight out at Palace, insists Fergie[LNB]He was football's first icon so what do the boys of '66 think about Beckham joining Bobby Moore on 108 caps?[LNB] [LNB]
