Merv happy with opening test - WHUFC
16/07/2007 08:05
Mervyn Day was a happy man after seeing Hammers come through Saturday's
opening pre-season friendly at Dagenham and Redbridge in good shape.
A 2-0 victory against the Football League new-boys got Alan Curbishley's men
off to a winning start in their preparations but, for the Assistant Manager,
it was the physical condition of the players that pleased him most. "It was
a good work-out," said Merv. "The first pre-season game is never about
performance, it's all about fitness, and everyone came through it in good
condition. "Physically, it was a very good test for us, against a Dagenham
side who had a fantastic season last year and are in confident mood ahead of
their new league campaign. "As always with the first game, the sun came out,
the temperature went up, and the ground was very firm. Having said that, I
thought we coped quite well with it and took a lot of positives out of the
exercise. "It's about building those fitness levels, and adding that
competitive edge where you know there are going to be a few challenges
flying about, getting the players used to a match situation again."
One player more eager than most to enjoy a taste of action again was Dean
Ashton who, after a year on the sidelines, made a welcome comeback and got
through an satisfying 45 minutes. A heavy challenge from his marker just
minutes after stepping on the pitch had a few hearts in mouths, but Deano
carried on to put in an impressive display, and Mervyn was full of praise
for the way the England striker handled the encounter. "What people have to
remember is that Dean has been out for 12 months," he said. "And no matter
how much fitness work he has done during that time, playing football is
completely different, because you don't have that timing and balance. "You
can be off balance, someone can hit you when you are in the wrong position,
and that is the test. First ball up, the centre half came straight through
Dean, caught him on the ankle and left him in a bit of pain. "It was good to
see him get up and run it off, though, and I'm sure he would have been very
happy to get through that first crunching challenge without any problem. For
20-25 minutes I thought Dean was excellent and, although he faded slightly
towards the end, that was to be expected considering the lay-off he has had.
"We are very pleased with him, as we are with the likes of Danny Gabbidon
and Matthew Upson, who were also playing their first football for some time.
In some ways, it's like three new signings, and we look forward to seeing
them all available for the start of the season."
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Work underway for Hammers in Austria - WHUFC
16/07/2007 10:06
West Ham United arrived in Austria on Sunday evening to continue their
pre-season preparations at a private training camp. Alan Curbishley and his
squad have travelled to the remote village of Bad Radkersberg, near Graz, to
make use of the warm weather and purpose-built facilities, with the new
Premier League season now less than four weeks away. Hammers will face two
friendly matches during their week here, against Czech outfit Sigma Olomouc
on Tuesday and Italian side Lazio on Saturday, while double training
sessions will be the order of the day as new Head of Sports Science Nick
Davies helps the players build their fitness levels. Assistant Manager
Mervyn Day explained the benefits of jetting off to mainland Europe for a
week after the 35-strong party touched down on Sunday evening. "The main
thing is that we've got them 24 hours a day!" he says. "If we want to give
them a nice early wake-up call for a morning run, then they'll have to be up
and ready! "Seriously, it will be hard work for the boys, but we are looking
forward to it. It's a change of environment, a chance to get away from the
training ground, and we've got a couple of decent matches lined up. "It will
also give the new players a chance to bed in, get to know the other lads a
bit better, while we also have a few new guys on the coaching and backroom
staff, so it will benefit them too."
*whufc.com will bring you daily updates and images from the Hammers training
camp in Austria, as well as full coverage of our two friendly matches out
here.
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Villa in talks over Harewood deal - BBC
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has confirmed they are in talks with West
Ham striker Marlon Harewood. The 27-year-old was thought to be on the brink
of joining Wigan, but Villa have started discussions with Harewood. "We've
been given the go-ahead to speak to the player and we'll take it from
there," said O'Neill. Harewood was told he was surplus to requirements at
Upton Park and Birmingham had a bid rejected for the former Nottingham
Forest man in June.
The Hampstead-born hitman joined the Hammers from Forest for £500,000 in
November 2003. Harewood was one of the successes of the Hammers' first
season back in the top flight in 2005-06 when he scored 16 goals. But he
netted just four times in 35 appearances last time around.
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Man Utd frustrated by Tevez saga - BBC
Manchester United chief executive David Gill said the club's attempt to sign
Carlos Tevez is "over-complicated". The deal stalled as the Premier League
said it must be done between United and West Ham but not Kia Joorabchian,
who owns the 23-year-old's economic rights. "It's become over-complicated,"
said Gill. "Effectively, we are trying to work with four parties. "We're
dealing with the player, West Ham, the company who own his economic rights
and the Premier League."
Tevez finished on the losing side in Sunday's Copa America final as Brazil
beat Argentina 3-0. He is now reportedly preparing to fly into Manchester
for a medical which, under normal circumstances, would mark the end game in
a £30m move from West Ham. United's legal expert Maurice Watkins has
remained in England as efforts to resolve the dispute intensify. On Friday,
West Ham dismissed claims that Tevez was set to complete his move to United.
Representatives for the Argentine claimed he would have a medical at Old
Trafford on Wednesday. However, BBC Sport's Jonathan Legard said West Ham
were bewildered by these claims and called them "irresponsible". The move
was complicated by Sheffield United's ongoing attempt to win back their
place in the Premiership. The Blades believe West Ham should have been
deducted points, rather than fined over the signings of Tevez and Javier
Mascherano, who is now at Liverpool. But on Friday, the Blades were refused
leave to appeal against the Premier League arbitration panel's decision over
Tevez. Personal terms are understood to have been tied up and United have
agreed an initial loan deal to sign Tevez. But Five Live also understands
the saga could drag on for a few more weeks, rather than the few days Man
Utd hope it will take to sort out.
The Premier League has insisted West Ham, who hold Tevez's registration,
must receive the majority of the fee rather than Joorabchian. A spokesman
said: "Any deal for Carlos Tevez has to be done directly with West Ham
United. "They hold the registration and we will not transfer the
registration unless a deal is done directly with the club."
West Ham were only allowed to keep playing Tevez last season after assuring
the Premier League all third-party clauses in the player's contract had been
severed. But Joorabchian is confident he is on a sound legal footing to push
through the transfer. "We don't see any problems. I spoke to United on
Thursday and they are confident they will have him registered within days,"
said Joorabchian. "Carlos will come on Tuesday, have a medical on Wednesday
at United and hopefully we will have administrative issues sorted next week.
"Personal terms between Carlos and United have been agreed in full. He feels
confident now he is a Manchester United player."
However, the deal could run into further complications after reports from
South America claimed that Joorabchian is wanted by the police in relation
to money laundering at Brazilian club Corinthians.
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Be proud and move on - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 16th July 2007
By: Alex Shilling
As Carlos Tevez looks set to move to Manchester United, a new striker has
announced his arrival in E13. Craig Bellamy, with his precise finishing,
inflammable temper and hilarious stereo-typical Welsh accent last week
completed his £7.5million move from Liverpool. As one hero departs Upton
Park, another advances upon the claret-spray painted gates.
As soon as Carlos' move to the Premiership champions became common
knowledge, the sports 'journalists' whom we know and despise jumped upon
this move like Frank Lampard attacking a Big Mac, and the headlines
screamed: How will West Ham ever replace this man?
Forgetting of course, that a few weeks ago, they had vilified this man and
this club during the arbitration hearing, labelling us cheats and suchlike.
Well fellas, your answer is in the captain of Wales, a player who is a
proven scorer in the Premiership and Champions League, and to boot, doesn't
like Graeme Souness.
True, Carlos Tevez was a key factor, some might even argue THE key factor
behind our survival and it would have been superb if he could have stayed.
But things change. 'Look at traffic lights for change!' said Trevor Peacock
as Jim Trott in the Vicar of Dibley, on Dawn French's arrival as the vicar
in a quiet rural village.
I think we all knew deep down, whatever we might say, that May 13 up at Old
Trafford was Carlos Tevez's last game as a West Ham United player. It's just
a shame he was enchanted so by the theatre of dreams (copyright 1999).
Why couldn't we have been playing at Blackburn or Wigan on the last day? I
doubt that he would have been enchanted by the delights of doffed caps and
chicken and balti pies.
Eggy did all he could to keep Tevez at the club although I feel we'll never
know quite why we didn't buy him when we had the chance, as I heard figures
from Kia Joorabchian quoted in the region of £9million. Although, as someone
said in a recent forum thread, what the hell our newly appointed 'PR
supremo' Mike Lee has been doing I'm sure I don't know.
Also, has it ever crossed anyone's mind that Tevez might have just needed a
new challenge and even if we had tried to buy him, he might have been
against the move?
It will give me a considerable amount of pain to see Tevez in a Manchester
United shirt, but I will be pleased for him to be playing with Ronaldo,
Rooney and the like, and I think this club and its fans can be proud about
what we have achieved with Carlos Tevez, who has without a doubt, progressed
as a player in his time with West Ham United.
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Never let the truth ruin a good story - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 16th July 2007
By: Paul Scanlan
Fashions generally come and go. However the current trend of West Ham hating
is still in full swing. In fact, powered by the ability to reach millions of
people a day, the media is making sure that this hate campaign shows no sign
of reaching a conclusion.
The name Carlos Tevez is being received about as well as foul language in a
church congregation and anybody representing West Ham, well they are as
popular as lepers. Meanwhile Blades fans are riding through the footballing
world on their white horses and taking the time to kiss babies on their
journey to justice. It's a real life story of good versus evil, put together
by those little scamps in the media. There is no doubt that the Tevezgate
situation has helped to sell newspapers during what would normally be a
quiet time of year.
Now there are a lot of more intellectual and qualified people around who can
speak volumes on the intricate details and facts of this debacle so I won't
force you to take in another rehash of that 'sordid' tale. As it stands with
Sheffield United, West Ham United, the Premier League, Kia Joorabchian,
Independent Panels and now Manchester United all involved, everyone has
their own story to tell and it certainly has been told; dozens of times over
in some cases. Don't get me wrong, I don't expect anyone to take this
seriously. I don't have journalism qualifications attached to my name and
more importantly, I'm telling a tale that the media and other clubs would
much rather ignore.
It's called the truth and it leads me to ask two questions of Keith McCabe
and journalists such as Mr Jeff Powell.
1. Could you tell the world why you are not interested in pursuing the real
perpetrator of this scandal, former West Ham chairman, Mr Terence Brown?
2. Could you also tell the world why you are not interested in pushing for
the real villain of this piece, Mr Kia Joorabchian, to be removed from the
footballing world and take with him the whole idea of third party ownership?
I have been disappointed by the likes of the Sheffield United chairman, who
we probably know better than any other in the English game thanks to his
regular columns in the press nowadays, that have failed to see the bigger
picture in a saga that they are supposed to know inside out. It has been
very easy for these individuals to point the finger at every single West Ham
fan and staff member, citing them as all being crooked and arrogant in our
supposed denial of events.
The fact is that I as a West Ham supporter do not deny the wrong-doing of
jumping into bed with Kia and his MSI outfit, an action that I believe
Manchester United should be extremely cautious of also. We are not the
blindly ignorant group that many would believe us to be and I would suspect
that there are many who wish this whole situation had never happened.
However the fact of the matter is that it has happened yet the blame cannot
be laid at the door of the supporters of West Ham United or the chairman, Mr
Eggert Magnusson who have both suffered most from this smear campaign.
I would suggest that Mr McCabe invests his money in a private detective and
searches any small islands for a certain former West Ham chairman. For it
was Mr Brown who saw an ideal opportunity to sell a club whose fans often
detested him, as well as making a nice little profit in the process. The
pound signs did in fact roll around in his eyes when Kia Joorabchian came
knocking with gifts from Argentina, pockets full of money and the promise of
a future out of the limelight but on an extravagant wage in a comfortable
little role.
Two world class Argentineans do not just appear out of nowhere and for no
reason, there was a game plan and Kia believed he had played it beautifully.
Mr Brown and Mr Joorabchian struck up a snug little relationship which would
eventually lead to our Eastern friend taking the helm of a Premiership side
and making it his plaything.
Until Eggert Magnusson complicated matters.
Money was always of paramount importance to our Terence and this was no
different. Eggert came offering a real business proposition and the rest as
we say is history. Yet it leads you to wonder whether Mr Brown managed to
make off with some easily earned pocket money from Kia before scampering off
with the funds raised from the clubs sale to Iceland. No matter which way
you slice it, the arrival of Dos Amigos was crooked, corrupt and outright
shifty all thanks to the greed of two men at the heart of it all.
The same two men that seem to be mysteriously overlooked by those wanting to
sell papers and those who wish to believe everything that they see in print.
Mr Brown has successfully made his escape to solitude and appears
coincidentally unable to reach some kind of media representative to do
something he has rarely done in his life: The Right Thing. Everyone else
seems to have forgotten he even existed and had any role in football, let
alone this particular situation.
Meanwhile, your friend and mine, Kia Joorabchian is cheerfully walking
around conducting his usual business while everyone else turns a blind eye.
Sheffield United hoped that he might shed some light on the issue which
would send West Ham into oblivion and leave them safe in the top flight.
What perhaps they had not considered was that this man whose evidence could
have been vital, was the person responsible for this disaster in the first
place.
The man is a stain on the sport of football and someone that a world class
player such as Carlos Tevez could well do without. A man of his skill and
ability does not deserve this ball and chain around his ankle and should
investigate how to get away from MSI as quickly as possible. Third party
ownership should have no place in the game today and while I recognise the
importance of good agents who have their clients best interests at heart,
the likes of Kia should have no business in the sport we love.
Yes I will defend my club but I am also willing to accept when we are wrong.
We made a mistake and we did get a punishment for it, yes it may not have
been the amount of blood that many wanted but it was a punishment
nonetheless. However whilst Blades fans blindly follow their chairman as he
throws their clubs money at a cause that may never reap reward, two of the
biggest culprits in this whole sham are being allowed to escape the radar.
Somewhere, Terence Brown is breathing easily and no matter what, it will
remain business as usual for Kia Joorabchian.
Never let the truth ruin a good story though hey?
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Villa in for Marlon - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 16th July 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Marlon Harewood is set for talks with Aston Villa after West Ham United
accepted a £3.7m bid for his services. Harewood - who joined the Hammers in
2004 - has been linked with a move to Birmingham and Wigan, but Villa have
swooped after neither managed to agree a deal with United. Villa boss Martin
O'Neill, who has already signed Nigel Reo-Coker from the Hammers, said this
afternoon: "We've been given the go ahead to speak to the player - and we'll
take it from there."
West Ham United: business so far INS: Scott Parker (Newcastle United £7m);
Julien Faubert (Bordeaux £6.1m); Richard Wright (Everton, free); Craig
Bellamy (Liverpool £7.5m) - Total £20.6m.
OUTS: Teddy Sheringham (released); Roy Carroll (released); Shaun Newton
(Leicester City, free); Tyrone Mears (Derby County, £1m); Nigel Reo-Coker
(Aston Villa, £8.5m); Paul Konchesky (Fulham, £2m) - Total £11.5m (Tevez fee
tbc).
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Stupid Faubert - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 16th July 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
French national boss Raymond Domenech has called Julien Faubert 'stupid' for
opting to move to West Ham United. The outspoken 55-year-old French manager
told le-mercato.com that Faubert's decision to join the Hammers in a £6.1m
switch was 'unrivalled stupidity'. "When certain players call me to talk
about me their transfer I tell them it's okay to play for one of the top
four clubs in England, Germany, Italy or Spain," he said. "But this is
stupidity. What a pity when he is on the verge of the French team. I have
trouble understanding it."
Faubert - who has made just one start for the French national side -
impressed in his first outing for the Hammers at the weekend when he played
45 minutes of United's 2-0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge, and is set to start
again in Austria tomorrow night when the Hammers take on Sigma.
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Why Tevez must go - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 16th July 2007
By: East Stand Martin
This is bound to spark outrage amongst Tevez-worshippers, but I have come to
the inevitable conclusion that it is time for our club to move on from
Tevezgate.
I am hopeful that Eggy will discover some way in which we can let the Argie
go without us falling foul of the FAPL and ending up in a bigger mess than
we already are on this matter. Although I concede that it would be rather
funny to put one over on Kia (and for that matter ManUre), this does not
outweigh other factors relating to Tevez.
I would say that there are at least 5 reasons why Tevez needs to move on:
1. He is part of West Ham's dodgy past – we all know in our hearts that the
deal was bent between Brown and Kia. It smelt at the time and as more
details have emerged, it has become absolutely clear that we got involved in
something which has caused us a lot of grief. I am a great supporter of Eggy
and I like his attitude and ethics. It is in stark contrast to the Brown
regime, but moving Tevez on truly draws a line under the dark ages;
2. Related to this is the prospect of a continued association with Kia
Joorabchian. We do not need any further relationship with this character. He
tried to takeover our club Corinthians- style and lost out to a better man.
Like it or not Tevez is joined to Kia's hip;
3. Whatever we say to defend our position on Tevez, no-one can truly say
that we behaved honourably. As I have said elsewhere, I find it hard to
disagree with the Arbitration Panel's conclusion that we should have been
docked points for this. Whilst Tevez stays with us our reputation will
continue to suffer. Some might say that they are not bothered about what
others think of our club, but for me our reputation is a very important
matter. Call me old fashioned, but I was proud of the days when most
non-West Ham fans used to say that we were their second club. This is the
Academy, the team of Moore, Peters and Hurst and many others who have made
our club great through their contributions to English football. Moving Tevez
on would be the first step towards repairing a highly embarrassing and
damaging debacle;
4. The original distraction caused by the arrival of the Argies undoubtedly
had a destabilising effect on the team. Like it or not, if Tevez steps out
on the pitch in claret and blue again, the focus on him will be massive yet
again. It will, in my view, affect the team and we will be under continuing
and intense scrutiny. There is every prospect too that we will become
embroiled in continuing legal action which is no good for us;
5. There are sound footballing reasons to move Tevez on. Whatever anyone
says, he wants to play for a team at the highest level. He sees ManUre as
giving him what he wants. He wants to go there and you have to understand
why - his performances at the Copa have been world class. His head has been
turned. I have severe doubts that given this situation that his head will be
right to play for West Ham. Some might say that this is a slightly
hypocritical position, as I argued the opposite when I opposed the sale of
Defoe. My critics said – and it was a fair point – that he didn't want to
play for the club and that in itself was good enough reason to cash in on
the transfer. If this was the only issue, then maybe you could argue for his
retention, but it is not and we all know it.
This is not about giving into pressure from those who do not like our club.
It is not about failing to fight our corner, it is about realising that
there are now too many problems and reputational impacts associated with
Tevez. Undoubtedly he is a real talent and we will remember for a long time
just how he dragged us out of the relegation mire when all seemed lost, but
it's time for the head to rule the heart. He is damaged goods.
I have no real idea how we are going to achieve his departure, but I am
confident that Eggy will find a way. I hope that this is done sooner rather
than later, as I do not think we can afford to start the season with this
unresolved.
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Gill: Tevez deal over-complicated - Sky
By Mark Buckingham - Created on 16 Jul 2007
Manchester United's bid to sign Carlos Tevez has become 'over-complicated',
according to chief executive David Gill. The Premier League champions are
trying to push through a deal for the Argentine striker following his fine
end to last season with West Ham United. He is due to undergo a medical at
Old Trafford later this week after the Copa America concluded on Sunday with
Argentina's 3-0 final defeat to Brazil. But there remains an issue with his
contractual situation with West Ham holding his registration, and Kia
Joorabchian his economic rights. United chief executive Gill remains hopeful
that the matter will be resolved with Tevez being added to Sir Alex
Ferguson's squad for the new season. Gill, though, also lamented the
protracted nature of the deal, admitting the club are working with four
parties in an effort to finalise the transfer. "We are working on it," said
Gill. "In my opinion, it has become over-complicated. "Effectively, we are
trying to work with four parties; the player, West Ham, the company who own
Carlos' economic rights and the Premier League in order to sort it out. "The
process is ongoing. The player will have a medical at some point this week,
then we will take it from there. "We still have to sort out the paperwork,
but we are confident that can be achieved in the course of the next week or
so."
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Harewood in Villa talks
By Peter ORourke - Created on 16 Jul 2007
Skysports.com can confirm Aston Villa are in talks with Marlon Harewood over
a possible move to Villa Park. Villa are hoping to beat Wigan to the
striker's signature after both clubs agreed a fee with West Ham for
Harewood. Harewood has been allowed to leave Upton Park as he does not
figure in Alan Curbishley's long-term plans. Wigan held talks with Harewood
over the weekend over a possible switch to the JJB Stadium, but Villa have
made a last-ditch bid to lure him to the Midlands. Villa boss Martin O'Neill
is keen to bolster his attacking options and he is thought to be a big fan
of Harewood. Harewood's representative, Mick McGuire, confirmed Villa were
in talks with the former Nottingham Forest man about a move. "We are
currently in talks with Aston Villa after they agreed a fee with West Ham,"
McGuire told skysports.com. "If the talks go well he will then undergo a
medical as normal. "As we know Wigan have made a bid for Marlon and talked
to him also. "Now it is down to Marlon to make a decision on where he goes."
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Faubert 'stupid' to join Curbs - The Sun
By ADAM SIMMONS
July 17, 2007
JULIEN FAUBERT has been branded "unspeakably stupid" for joining West Ham by
France boss Raymond Domenech. And the outspoken coach hinted the midfielder,
23, has wrecked his budding international career by agreeing to sign with
Alan Curbishley's Hammers. The East Londoners paid £6.1million to Bordeaux
for Faubert, who has been capped once by France. Domenech blasted: "I can't
understand Faubert's decision to join West Ham. "When some of my players
phone me to tell me they are moving clubs, I tell them it is OK if they are
joining one of the top four in England, Germany, Italy or Spain. "But it is
unspeakably stupid to join a club outside of those few, apart from the
financial point of view. "It is a great pity when you are on the brink of
the French national team. I struggle to understand why he has done it."
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Determined Utd to give Carlos Tevez medical - the Times
By Mark Ogden
Last Updated: 1:55am BST 17/07/2007
Manchester United are to defy West Ham's protests over the transfer of
Carlos Tevez to Old Trafford by flying the Argentine forward into Manchester
tomorrow for a medical. United want to finalise their end of the
controversial acquisition before the question of the player's ownership is
resolved between West Ham and the Premier League.
A deal which United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had expected to have completed
over a week ago remains in the pending tray due to the Premier League's
insistence that any money paid by United for Tevez goes directly to West
Ham.
However, with Media Sports Investments controlling the player's economic
rights and West Ham holding his playing registration, there is continuing
confusion about who actually owns Tevez and to whom United must pay a
transfer fee. West Ham's insistence that they had ripped up their
third-party agreement with MSI in April has served only to muddy the waters,
but United appear unconcerned by the uncertainty.
While the Premier League and West Ham attempt to find a solution, United
remain confident that Tevez will quickly become their player. Hence their
decision to put him through a medical this week.
advertisementUnited chief executive David Gill said: "We are working on it
[the Tevez deal], but it is complicated and maybe over-complicated in my
humble opinion. We are having to deal with four parties - the player, West
Ham, the companies that own Carlos' economic rights and the Premier League -
in an effort to sort everything out.
"The process is ongoing as we speak, but Carlos will fly in to undergo his
medical and we will take it from there. We still have to sort out the
paperwork, but we are confident that can be achieved in the course of the
next week or so."
Tevez's six goals in West Ham's final nine games of the season proved
crucial as the London club avoided relegation and United director Sir Bobby
Charlton admitted in Tokyo yesterday that the 23-year-old would be a key
addition to Ferguson's squad should the deal go through.
Charlton said: "If we are going to sign Carlos Tevez, then I would hope that
it happens sooner rather than later because he is a tremendous prospect.
''He is an exciting player and we always try to get those types of player to
Old Trafford. I would certainly welcome him here because he is a marvellous
talent."
With Tevez anticipated to arrive at Old Trafford, his Argentina team-mate,
Gabriel Heinze, could end up heading past him in the opposite direction.
The full-back, absent from the Far East tour after playing for Argentina in
the Copa America, has emerged as a target for Liverpool, who are keen to
meet United's £6.8 million valuation of the player. Anfield officials
privately fear that United will not sell to their traditional rivals - no
player has moved between the clubs since Phil Chisnall swapped Manchester
for Merseyside in 1964 - but Ferguson has yet to be convinced that Heinze
wants to leave Old Trafford.
Ferguson said: "The situation with Heinze is quite clear in that his agent
is adamant that the player wants to move on. We aren't too sure if that's
the case, but we have not received any concrete offer from another club.
There is clearly some momentum regarding the player's next move, but there
is nothing to report at the present time."
United face J-League champions Urawa Red Diamonds in the opening game of
their tour this morning.
Owen Hargreaves, the midfielder signed for £17 million this summer, is
expected to shake off a slight knee problem to make his United debut in
Saitama.
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Villa in late for Hammers' striker Harewood - Daily Mail
By NEIL MOXLEY - More by this author »
Marlon Harewood became Aston Villa's second summer signing last night after
Martin O'Neill hijacked his move to Wigan Athletic. The striker, who held
talks with Latics boss Chris Hutchings over the weekend, has agreed to join
Villa in a deal worth £4.5million. He follows team-mate Nigel Reo-Coker from
West Ham after O'Neill gazumped the Lancashire club. The Irishman made his
interest known over the weekend and moved yesterday to agree personal terms
with the forward. Harewood's agent Mick McGuire said last night: "Marlon has
been in talks with Villa and everything should be concluded soon. Villa have
come in at the 11th hour to take him."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Gill says United confident Tevez signing will be complete in a week
Mark Ogden
Tuesday July 17, 2007
The Guardian
After arriving in Tokyo yesterday lunchtime, narrowly avoiding Typhoon
Man-Yi and the effects of an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale,
Manchester United are preparing to dive headlong into the growing storm that
is the proposed transfer to Old Trafford of Carlos Tevez by pushing ahead
with plans to put the West Ham forward through a medical before the end of
the week.
Despite the unresolved issue of Tevez's ownership, United are hopeful of
securing the services of the 23-year-old Argentinian within the next seven
days, smoothing the way for him to make his debut in a friendly against the
Italian champions Internazionale on August 1.
West Ham continue to be infuriated by United's public statements about the
£30m-rated forward, and the Premier League is determined to ensure that any
fee paid by the Premiership champions goes directly to the east London club.
That does not sit happily with Media Sports Investments, the company which
owns Tevez's economic rights despite West Ham's unilateral decision in April
to break their agreement with MSI about Tevez.
United are frustrated by the delays in their attempt to sign him but expect
the deal to be concluded even if it drags on towards the end of the transfer
window on August 31. However, at this stage United's chief executive, David
Gill, anticipates a swift conclusion.
"We are working on it but it is complicated and maybe overcomplicated, in my
humble opinion," Gill said. "We are having to deal with four parties - the
player, West Ham, the companies that own Carlos's economic rights and the
Premier League - in an effort to sort everything out.
"The process is ongoing as we speak, but Carlos will fly in to undergo his
medical and we will take it from there. We still have to sort out the
paperwork but we are confident that can be achieved in the course of the
next week or so."
The United future of Tevez's Argentina team-mate Gabriel Heinze appears
uncertain, with the manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, saying that the defender's
agent is "adamant" that Heinze wishes to leave Old Trafford. Liverpool are
keen to buy him but United do not want to sell to their bitter rivals.
Heinze may need to exercise his right to buy out the final two years of his
contract, at a cost of £6.8m, to secure a move to Anfield.
United launch their four-game tour of the Far East today when they face the
J-League champions Urawa Red Diamonds in Saitama. Owen Hargreaves is
expected to make his United debut but his fellow new signing Nani has an
ankle injury and the midfielder Ji-Sung Park will be out until January after
knee surgery.
In Nani's absence Ryan Giggs will play. The 33-year-old says he is unfazed
by the threat to his first-team position from the Portuguese 20-year-old:
"Whether we had signed anyone or not, the challenge is always there to
perform. If you don't you won't play, but that's the same for every player
and if I don't play well I won't play."
The midfielder Kieran Richardson yesterday completed his move from United to
Sunderland for an undisclosed fee. The 22-year-old, who has eight England
caps, signed a four-year deal after a medical.
Sunderland's manager, Roy Keane, played alongside Richardson at Old Trafford
and said: "I'm delighted that we've been able to bring Kieran to Sunderland.
Having worked with him in the past I'm well aware of what a good player and
a good lad he is. He's ready for a fresh challenge and hopefully Sunderland
will provide that for him."
Richardson, who spent 2004-05 on loan at West Bromwich Albion, helping them
in their last-gasp escape from relegation, said: "It's an exciting move for
me. I know all about Roy Keane and I'm looking forward to playing for his
team."
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TEVEZ: STOP WAR AND LET ME JOIN REDS - The Mirror
David Mcdonnell 17/07/2007
CARLOS TEVEZ last night pleaded with West Ham to stop their war with
Manchester United and let him sign at Old Trafford. And the 23-year-old
Argentinian striker now intends to fly to London for an urgent meeting with
the Hammers, who have been determined to block his latest controversial
transfer. Tevez said: "I want a solution very quickly on this subject. My
desire is to play for Manchester United - but I also want a positive exit
from West Ham, because the club was good to me in the year when I played in
England. I find the controversy about my transfer very strange but I hope it
will be resolved in the next few days." United are also keen to push through
their £30million-plus move for Tevez. Chief executive David Gill said:
"We're working effectively with four other parties - the player, West Ham,
companies owning his economic rights and the Premier League - to try to sort
it out. "In my humble opinion, it's overcomplicated." Gabriel Heinze can go
for around £6.8m - but Sir Alex Ferguson insists it won't be to Liverpool.
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Day: Ashton not only West Ham comeback story
tribalfooball.com - July 16, 2007
West Ham assistant boss Mervyn Day says it wasn't only Dean Ashton who made
their comeback last weekend against Dagenham and Redbridge.
"What people have to remember is that Dean has been out for 12 months," he
told whufc.com. "And no matter how much fitness work he has done during that
time, playing football is completely different, because you don't have that
timing and balance. "You can be off balance, someone can hit you when you
are in the wrong position, and that is the test. First ball up, the centre
half came straight through Dean, caught him on the ankle and left him in a
bit of pain.
"It was good to see him get up and run it off, though, and I'm sure he would
have been very happy to get through that first crunching challenge without
any problem. For 20-25 minutes I thought Dean was excellent and, although he
faded slightly towards the end, that was to be expected considering the
lay-off he has had. "We are very pleased with him, as we are with the likes
of Danny Gabbidon and Matthew Upson, who were also playing their first
football for some time. In some ways, it's like three new signings, and we
look forward to seeing them all available for the start of the season."
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Liverpool's Benayoun: Mascherano will help me settle
tribalfooball.com - July 16, 2007
Yossi Benayoun says former West Ham teammate Javier Mascherano will help him
settle at Liverpool. The pair became friends during Mascherano's five months
in east London, with Benayoun acting as an interpreter for the young
Argentine. "It will help me that Javier Mascherano is here already," said
the Israeli playmaker. "I spoke with Javier a lot at West Ham because I was
the only person there that spoke Spanish, and I acted as a translator for
both him and Carlos Tevez when they first came over. "When he was out of the
team at West Ham, I told him that he could play at a bigger club no
problems, and look how he ended the season - playing in a Champions League
final."
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West Ham ready to pay big for Tottenham's Defoe
tribalfooball.com - July 16, 2007
West Ham United want to bring Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe back to Upton
Park. Although they have signed Craig Bellamy they are prepared to go
considerably higher to secure the services of Defoe who they sold to
Tottenham in 2004 in a £7m deal that included Bobby Zamora moving in the
opposite direction, says the Independent. The sticking point is that Defoe,
24, is reluctant to return to his former club. The striker has a less than
cordial relationship with West Ham's fans after he put in a transfer request
within days of their relegation from the Premiership in 2003.
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Villa close in on star signing
Jul 16 2007
By Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail
VILLA were today believed to be close to securing the shock £3.7million
signature of West Ham United striker Marlon Harewood. According to sources
in London the 27-year-old striker was at Bodymoor Heath after agreeing
personal terms. It means he will become Martin O'Neill's second summer
signing and joins former Hammers team-mate Nigel Reo-Coker at Villa.
Harewood was close to being both a Wigan and a Manchester City player last
week before Villa made their last-gasp move. He had a disappointing season
last year at Upton Park where he has stayed for almost four years. Harewood
said earlier this summer: "I want to be playing football, I love it. I had a
great season before last for West Ham playing 43 games and scoring 16 goals,
but last season wasn't the best for me. But I'm so up for next season. I
just can't wait to be scoring again and winning games for a team, that's
what I want to be doing."
Harewood joined the Hammers in November 2003 for £500,000 from Nottingham
Forest and went to score 56 goals in 170 appearances for the Londoners.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Could Heinze Be The Right Variety For West Ham - West Ham Fans.org
Submitted by Neville Nixon on 16 July, 2007 - 12:51.
In the words of the late and great Ron Greenwood, you can never have too
many left sided players, and with that in mind Hammers could do worse than
trying to sign Argentine International defender Gabriel Heinze from
Manchester United. In fact a deal for Heinze might provide both clubs with a
route out of the protracted Carlos Tevez transfer saga impasse, if there
were to be a swap deal with cash adjustments it could overcome the Premier
League's insistence that all funds need to go to West Ham, a non gratia
payment could then be made to Kia Joorabchian for having set up both deals
indirectly..
The facts of the matter are that Carlitos will end up at Old Trafford, maybe
later than sooner, but the deal will go through, officially Hammers are
playing hard ball, but reading between the lines they cannot wait to get rid
off the Argentine hit man and all the associated circus that has accompanied
him since his arrival at the Boleyn..
Heinze is a different proposition, already adjusted to the rigors of the
Premier League, he could slot straight in to any team and why not West Ham?.
The Mancs are loathe to sell Heinze to Liverpool, and few other clubs have
the financial clout to take the combative defender on board, but Eggert
Magnusson can be a persuasive Chairman and he might just be able to sell his
vision of the future to a player who has had enough of Fergie and his
blowdryer! There have been more departures than arrivals at West Ham and a
player of Heinze's undoubted ability would help propel the club in the right
direction, perhaps he could tap up Riquelme? - E
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Harewood accepts Wigan move
tribalfooball.com - July 16, 2007
West Ham striker Marlon Harewood is ready to move north to Wigan Athletic
after talking over the switch his family. Harewood may fly out to team up
with his new mates in Holland today. A pal of Harewood's explained to the
Mirror: "Marlon needed to make sure everything was right before he went.
This is a life-changing move."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham, Spurs move for Derby's Barnes
tribalfooball.com - July 16, 2007
Derby County face a battle to hang onto midfielder Giles Barnes. The News of
the World says West Ham United and Tottenham want to prise Barnes away from
Pride Park before the new season kicks off.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
GREEN LIGHT FOR ASHTON RETURN - Daily Express
Monday July 16,2007
By Michael Johns Have your say(0)
WHO needs Carlos Tevez when you have Dean Ashton? West Ham keeper Robert
Green believes Ashton's return from injury will more than make up for the
loss of Tevez, who is set to join Manchester United this week. While
Argentina ace Tevez prepared for his country's Copa America final against
Brazil, Ashton made his first appearance since breaking his ankle while
training with England last August. He took part in the second half of
Saturday's 2-0 win at neighbours Dagenham & Redbridge in a testimonial match
for keeper Tony Roberts. Green said: "Carlos is a great player and if he's
here then great, if he's not then there are other great players, such as
Deano, who is a huge asset. "Hopefully, he can get through pre-season,
battle through any aches and pains, stay fit and play the whole season. I've
not played in the same West Ham team with him but, when we were at Norwich,
he was the focal point of the attack, the player others would bounce off,
and he would bring a lot of attributes to the side. The two are different
but just as effective. "Carlos is very different. He's a spark, a livewire
and he gives you something else. The two play in the same position but very
differently and just as effectively."
Yet, the vast majority of West Ham fans among the sell-out 5,657 crowd who
crammed into Dagenham's Victoria Road ground, feared the worst after Ashton
was left in agony just five minutes into his comeback, following a crude
challenge by Daggers' defender Jon Boardman. "I wasn't worried when I saw
Deano go down because I think he milked it a bit," said West Ham boss Alan
Curbishley. "In fairness, it probably did him good because not many people
want to kick you like that in training and he has to get used to that
again."
Ashton responded by heading Luis Boa Morte's cross against the bar in the
64th minute before the Hammers' England Under-21 star Mark Noble broke the
deadlock with a 20-yard free-kick in the 83rd minute. Ross Smith, Dagenham's
recent recruit from Ebbsfleet United, gave the scoreline some respectability
for the visitors when he headed Boa Morte's corner into his own net three
minutes later. Curbishley fielded almost a completely different line-up in
each half. Craig Bellamy, the club's record £7.5million signing from
Liverpool last week, was absent as he continues to build up his fitness,
although he will travel with the squad on their pre-season tour of Austria.
Ashton said: "I'm looking forward to playing with Craig. He's proved in the
Premiership and at international level what a good player he is. People have
a bad perception of him, but he's shown he can do the business on the
pitch." Curbishley believes his strikers – along with keeper Green, £7m
midfield recruit Scott Parker and injury-prone defender Matthew Upson – will
have plenty to prove this season. He said: "I have a lot of players with a
point to prove. Ashton, Scotty Parker, Robert Green and Matthew Upson all
want to get back into the England squad and are the right age to do it.
"Then there's Bellamy as well, because he has come here with a bad-boy
reputation, yet he's only ever had one bust-up and that was at Newcastle.
But I'm sure he will be eager to put all that behind him."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Curbishley Has Point To Prove - Goal.com
Following his team's 2-0 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge, West Ham manager
Alan Curbishley was optimistic about the club's chances in the forthcoming
season. A second-half appearance from Dean Ashton would have been a big
boost to all concerned at Upton Park, as the striker had been out for a year
with a fractured ankle, having been a promising prospect for the Hammers in
the 2005/2006 season. Speaking to the Daily Star, Curbishley said: "Having
long-term injury victims Ashton, Upson and Danny Gabbidon back is like
adding three more signings to the players I've brought in during the summer.
"I've got hungry, aggressive players with points to prove and that can only
be good for the club." Ashton moved to Upton Park from Norwich in January
2006, costing £7.25million. Before his injury, the striker had made 16
appearances for West Ham, scoring 6 times.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham Sunday Paper Round Up ( thanks to Cockney Hammer - KUMB )
News of the world.
Steve's un-appi.
West ham United target Stephen Appiah has threatened to go out on strike to
secure a move to West Ham. A source close to the Fenerbache midfielder
confirmed Stephen will not join them on their pre season tour to Austria if
they do not let him talk to The Hammers. He feels that he was loyal when the
chance arose to leave now that favour should be repaid in full he said. The
Ghana powerhouse Appiah 26 said it is my ambition to play in the Premier
league and Fenerbache need to listen to West Ham's offer. They should now
take my interests in to account after all I have done for them.
News of the world.
West Ham and Tottenham fancy Derby County player of the year Giles Barnes.
The midfielder ,18, has a £4million price tag. He was also a target for
Blackburn Rovers during the January transfer window. His dad bobby played 43
games for the Hammers.
News of the world.
Cole's Turkey trot.
Carlton Cole is a £3million target for Besiktas. The striker 23 joined West
Ham a year ago in a £3million switch from Chelsea. But he has made just five
Premier league starts last season scoring just twice. Sources close to the
Turkish giants insist an official bid for Cole from Besiktas is imminent.
The Sunday mirror.
Tevez so close to dream move.
Carlos Tevez is just a phone call away from completing his dream move to
Manchester United. The striker has been at the centre of controversy over
his ownership that led to West Ham being fined a record £5.5million over his
signing along with Javier Mascherano last August. He is wanted by the
champions and his agent Kia Joorabchian claims a deal will go through this
week but United have yet to make contact with West Ham. And until an
agreement is reached between the two clubs the Premier league will refuse to
ratify any move for Tevez. Joorabchian as part of the MSI group who claim to
own Tevez has been supremely confident that Tevez will be at old Trafford
next season.
But West Ham are holding firm it has been suggested that Carlos Tevez was
only on loan for the year. But West Ham insist they have the player under
contract united chief executive David gill is expected to contact the
Hammers chairman Eggert Magnusson tomorrow or Tuesday to thrash out an
agreement. Magnusson said last night I am not commenting until it is over
and I do not know when it will be but when it is finished I will have plenty
to say.
The Sunday Mirror.
Carlton in line for turkey trot.
Turkish giants Besiktas are lining up a £3million move for West Ham striker
Carlton Cole. The former England under 21 international striker 23 joined
the Hammers only a year ago in a £2miliion switch from Chelsea. Sources
close to Besiktas say a bid for Cole is imminent. He made just five
premiership starts last season but scored twice in the league as he battled
competition for a place. Even though Carlos Tevez is bound for Manchester
united Craig Bellamy signed last week and Dean Ashton is returning from long
term injury.
The People.
Curbs fury at Tev jibe.
West ham manager Alan Curbishley last night blasted sir Alex Ferguson for
claiming Carlos Tevez kept west ham united in the Premiership last season.
Tevez was in superb form for the Hammers as they pulled off a great escape
and he impressed Ferguson so much the Manchester united boss is set to sign
him this week. Curbishley knows the striker will never play for him again
and he snapped , "I am very disappointed with what sir Alex said. Of course
Carlos Tevez played a part in keeping us up but he did not do it on his own
a lot of other players played their part as well and it is unfair on them to
single one man out."
The People.
Turks are Cole fired.
Turkish giants Besiktas are lining up a £3million move for West Ham striker
Carlton Cole. The former England under 21 international striker only joined
the hammers a year ago from Chelsea in a £2million switch.
The People.
Veteran hitman Teddy Sheringham wants former Hammers team mate Hogan Ephraim
to join him at Colchester united. Striker Ephraim 19 spent most of last
season on loan at layer road and the u's are keen to re sign the player on a
similar deal.
The Star.
Curbs hit's out at Yossi.
Quote taken from the star.
Curbishley also hit out at ex hammers star Yossi Benayoun who joined
Liverpool for £5million he was adamant the Israel international was going to
stay at Upton park until his head was turned. I was very disappointed with
Yossi because I thought that he had signed a new contract and it turns out
that he hadn't. When Liverpool came in for him it changed everything I did
not want Yossi to go and we did not need the business. Alan Curbishley wants
to sign two more players he said money's available we made £20million on
players we have sold.
The star.
Al Mullin over deal.
Alan Pardew admits he is still keen on taking west ham united star Hayden
Mullins to Charlton athletic. The hammers midfielder 28 was offered as a
make weight in a deal for Darren bent last month only for the transfer to
fall through. But Pardew admits he has not given up hope he said I like
Hayden he was my first signing at west ham united we will have to see
because I am not sure what his role is at west ham now.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Tevez exit is very close - all3points.com
16th July 2007
By Staff Writer
Carlos Tevez is just one phone call away from signing for Manchester United
according to reports over the weekend. The Sunday Mirror claims that Tevez
will this week seal a move to the club when United Chief Executive David
Gill picks up the phone to his West Ham counterpart Eggert Magnusson to
thrash out an agreement. West Ham are now resigned to losing the Argentinean
and have instead decided to settle for getting the best deal possible for
the Hammers. That has made the whole affair any less bitter for the Hammers
though with Magnusson telling the Mirror: "I'm not commenting until it's all
over and I don't know when that will be. But when it's finished I'll have
plenty to say."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Hammers set for £3 million windfall - all3points.com
16th July 2007
By Staff Writer
West Ham are set for a £3 million windfall from the sale of triker Carlton
Cole. Cole has fallen out of favour at West Ham having made just five
Premiership starts last season and the club are willing to listen to offers
for him. Turkish club Besiktas are reportedly interested in signing Cole
and the Sunday Mirror claims that they will this week launch a £3 million
bid for the player. West Ham will not stand in Cole's way and a deal should
be tied up quickly.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Midfielder strikes over West Ham move - all3points.com
16th July 2007
By Staff Writer
Ghana international Stephen Appiah is threatening to go on strike if his
current club Fenerbache refuse to allow him to move to West Ham. Midfield
powerhouse Appiah has been attracting the attentions of the Hammers but
Fenerbache have so far refused to allow him to leave. Appiah told the News
of the World: "It is my ambition to play in the Premier league and
Fenerbache need to listen to West Ham's offer. "They should now take my
interests into account after all I have done for them."
The paper also quotes a source close to the player as saying: "Stephen will
not join them (Fernerbache) on their pre-season tour to Austria if they do
not let him talk to West Ham. "He feels he was loyal when the
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