With the view to sharpening their strike force for next year's Confederation Cup, Kumasi Asante Kotoko have made an audacious move into the camp of rivals, Ashantigold, in search of the miners' star striker Alex Asamoah.

Graphic Sports has reported that Kotoko have already written formally to Ashgold for negotiations on the release of the player.

Asamoah, who joined Ashgold from Berekum Arsenals last season, maintained a consistent scoring form in the just-ended Onetouch Premiership.

Until Olympics striker, Emmanuel Clottey launched a last minute goal scoring form to emerge the highest scorer, Asamoah appeared the obvious favourite to snatch the top scorer award.

He hauled a total of 12 goals to his credit though without a 100 percent appearance record for the season as he spent some time out of the country on trials with foreign clubs.

Besides Kotoko, new entrants Kessben FC have also landed in the camp of Ashantigold, in search of one of the three goalkeepers of the miners, Frank Andoh.

Kessben, already linked to the transfer of Asamoah, have also written to the miners for the release of Andoh.

Confirming this at the weekend, Mr Kudjoe Fianoo, the CEO of Ashgold, told the Graphic Sports that the club at the moment was not prepared to release the player who will be a key part of their African Cup campaign next year.

He said Asamoah was still in contract with Ashantigold who are not keen on selling him out of the contract to a local side.

He disclosed that management, on receipt of the Kotoko letter, had discussions with the player who subsequently declined the Kotoko offer as he was looking forward to a foreign move from Ashgold.

He said Ashgold would this week write officially to Kotoko and inform them of their inability to release the player.

However, he was positive about the release of goalkeeper Andoh who, he revealed, though still in contract with them, could still move to Kessben if the newly-qualified side conclude negotiations with them.

Meanwhile, Accra Hearts of Oak have also been linked to a move to lure veteran defender Joe Hendricks goal keeping talent, Fatau Dauda, from the camp of Ashgold.

But Fianoo made it clear that even though Ashgold have not received a formal request from Hearts, his team would not release their second best goalkeeper.

Source: Graphic Sports