THE news that Michael Ricketts wants to leave the Reebok has not been received too well in some quarters.

Richard Mulligan looks at how the careers of other wantaway stars fared after they handed in transfer requests at their respective clubs.

PIERRE VAN HOOIJDONK

THE Feyenoord striker has recently been linked with both Birmingham and Manchester City, but do Steve Bruce and Kevin Keegan remember the trouble the Dutchman caused at Nottingham Forest in the 1998-99 season?

The player forged a strong partnership with Kevin Campbell the previous year in helping Forest to promotion, but when Campbell was sold to Trabzonspor, Hooijdonk lost all interest in turning out for Dave Bassett and effectively said he would no longer play for the club.

He asked for an immediate transfer and went on strike for the first three months of the Premiership season because of what he perceived as the club's lack of ambition. With no bids received for him, van Hooijdonk was asked to return to the fold by the plc board which undermined the authority of the manager and infuriated the players.

Bassett was soon sacked and claimed the affair was a big part of his downfall, while Forest were relegated. That summer van Hooijdonk joined Vitesse Arnheim for £3.5 million.

NICOLAS ANELKA

NICOLAS Anelka's career has perhaps never regained focus since his controversial departure from Arsenal in 1999.

The previous year his goals had inspired the Gunners to the Double, but midway through the 1998-99 season he began to voice his desire to leave Highbury.

At first it was put down to his Gallic temperament but when he formally requested a transfer it became clear that his brothers were actually engineering an auction amongst some of Europe's top clubs including Marseille, Real Madrid, Lazio and Juventus.

At one point the striker told Arsene Wenger that he would not play for Arsenal again. Anelka threatened legal action against the club unless they allowed him to join Lazio, but after talks the Rome giants lost interest.

The player had to wait until the summer when he eventually moved to Real Madrid for £23 million. But he stayed in the Spanish capital for just a year and spent little longer at next club PSG. He is no longer a member of the French national squad and the player once touted as Europe's finest prospect is now with mid-table Manchester City.

GARETH SOUTHGATE

GARETH Southgate is a consumate professional and played a full season at Aston Villa while on the transfer list.

He initially asked for a move just days before the beginning of Euro 2000, claiming it was due to Villa's lack of ambition and a personal desire for a new challenge after five years in the West Midlands.

He was immediately linked with big guns Manchester United and Arsenal but no official bid came in, mainly due to Villa's valuation of £8 million - a high price for a thirtysomething.

Regardless of his frustration he continued as the Villa skipper for the entire 2000-01, producing some of his most consistent displays in helping John Gregory's side to finish eighth in the Premiership.

His talents, attitude and commitment eventually persuaded Middlesbrough to pay £6.5 million for him in the summer of 2001.

TREVOR SINCLAIR

THE winger requested a move away from West Ham in December 2001 but eventually reversed his decision and plumped to stay at Upton Park.

Sinclair rocked the Hammers last season when he declared his desire to leave by claiming he wanted to play for a club who would regularly qualify for European competition. There was no shortage of interest in the player with Liverpool, Newcastle and Sunderland all making enquiries - but Glenn Roeder was believed to want £10 million for the midfield ace.

Liverpool caretaker boss Phil Thompson said at the time: "The money West Ham want makes him a player who is no longer on our list. The price West Ham want is silly money."

Sinclair remained on the list throughout the season but turned in some scintillating performances for the Hammers, helping them to finish seventh in the Premiership table.

Indeed Sinclair performed well enough to make the England squad for the World Cup and featured in four of the five games.

Sinclair then signed a new contract with West Ham on the eve of the current season, stating: "All my problems are done and dusted now and I'm very happy to be playing for West Ham still."