Filed: Thursday, 21st June 2007
By: Matthew O'Greel
Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy has admitted that he is 'flattered' to be
linked with a move to West Ham United. McCarthy almost joined the Hammers in
the August 2005 transfer window but then-club Porto pulled the plug on the
£6m deal at the last minute despite him having agreed personal terms. The
South African striker ended up joining Blackburn for a cut-price £2.5m last
summer but has failed to settle in the North West despite scoring over 20
goals last season. In the last few days McCarthy has once again been linked
with a move to the capital, with both Chelsea and the Hammers touted as
possible suitors.
And the 29-year-old striker says he would be happy to join either. "I am
very flattered to be linked with clubs like Chelsea and West Ham United," he
told SkySports. "Both have great history and both are great teams in the
Premier League. "I've got a contract [at Blackburn] and I am here to serve a
duty to my club that I am contracted at. "But if the opportunity does come
to go and play for a team where you can move up a level, that will always be
my dream. That is always what I strive towards as a player. "If the
opportunity occurs to go and play for a team like that, then I would love
for my management to look at the possibility and look in their heart to make
it possible to make a move."
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Real close to signing Tevez - Telegraph
By Charles Carrick
Last Updated: 12:44am BST 22/06/2007
Carlos Tevez has moved a step closer to signing for Real Madrid after his
representative Kia Joorabchian met up with Real officials in Israel to
negotiate a transfer. Spanish newspaper AS reported that a deal could be
imminent after Real's sporting director Predrag Mijatovic held lengthy talks
with Joorabchian.
Tevez appears certain to leave West Ham, despite becoming a fans' favourite
at Upton Park last season and helping the club to retain their Premiership
status. The Argentinian forward is keen to play in the Champions League.
Madrid are currently on an end of season tour to Israel, but are already
putting plans in place for the next campaign after the departure of David
Beckham. The Spanish champions will face strong competition for Tevez from
Inter Milan but now look the favourites to sign him and a deal could be
reached over the weekend.
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PEARCE BACKED BY PLAYERS - Sky
By Alex Dunn - Created on 21 Jun 2007
Nigel Reo-Coker and Liam Rosenior are united in their view that Stuart
Pearce should be appointed England Under 21 manager on a permanent basis.
England's involvement in the European Under 21 Championship came to a halt
on Wednesday, courtesy of a dramatic penalty shoot-out elimination at the
hands of hosts Holland, in a situation that effectively renders Pearce
unemployed. A decision on the role is expected to be made by the Football
Association in the near future and, Pearce has the backing of his captain
Reo-Coker. "I will give him my backing because it has been a great pleasure
to work with Stuart Pearce, Steve Wigley (assistant coach) and the rest. The
lads have enjoyed it," the West Ham midfielder told Sky Sports News. "We
showed great character and great resilience. You have to take a lot of heart
from that performance. "We have learned a lot. We have learned how to play
in the intimidating atmosphere of a European Championships."
Reo-Coker's view was echoed by his team-mate Rosenior, who believes Pearce
is the ideal candidate to nurture England's fledgling talent. "He is a good
manager," added Rosenior. "He has been great with the players and it has
been great for me as a full-back to have him as a manager and we showed some
of his spirit and passion in the match yesterday. "He will be great for some
of the younger players coming through and great for the players going into
the full squad. The team spirit was amazing and it is something we can go
home with and put into our careers. "It is sad to be going home but it would
have been worse had we not done ourselves justice."
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ZANETTI BACKS TEVEZ MOVE - Sky
By Amanda Cornforth - Created on 21 Jun 2007
Internazionale captain Javier Zanetti would like to see West Ham striker
Carlos Tevez join him at the club next season. Tevez has been linked with a
move to the Stadio Guiseppe Meazza this summer after the Nerazzurri failed
to land Cagliari forward David Suazo. Zanetti believes his 23-year-old
Argentina team-mate would be a welcome addition to the Italian champion's
squad. "It would be a great signing for us because he is a player that never
gives up," he said. "He would be ideal for Inter, he has great talent and we
really hope he will join us." Tevez, who only joined the Hammers last year
and made 19 Premier League starts for the club, has also been linked with
moves to Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid and is
currently away preparing for the Copa America with the national team.
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Rafa ups bid to £4.5m for Yossi - The Sun
By ANDREW DILLON
June 22, 2007
LIVERPOOL will increase their bid for Yossi Benayoun to £4.5million — after
West Ham pulled the plug on his new contract. And Kop striker Craig Bellamy
may yet be used as part of a swap deal. Hammers chairman Eggert Magnusson
has lost patience with Israeli midfielder Benayoun and withdrawn his offer
of a new £13m five-year deal. Anfield manager Rafa Benitez plans to cash in
on the rift — while also offloading misfit Bellamy. Benayoun is being
punished for dithering over signing a new contract after the Reds'
unsuccessful £3m bid last week. He said: "I'm honoured a club like Liverpool
is interested in me. I'm contracted to West Ham so we will have to see what
happens." West Ham insist the player has not submitted a formal transfer
request, although Benayoun's feelings have been made clear that he fancies a
move to Anfield.
Benayoun, 27, is currently on holiday in his homeland and played an hour of
a friendly between Israel and Real Madrid on Tuesday, which the Spanish
champions won 8-0. But West Ham have acted in his absence. They shelved
plans to reward the skilful winger by ripping up the remaining two years of
his contract in return for five more years and a £10,000- a-week pay rise
Magnusson's patience with Premier League players has worn thin following his
dealings with Darren Bent last week. The Charlton striker rejected a £17m
move to West Ham at the last minute after lengthy talks. Benayoun must prove
his commitment before Magnusson is prepared to revive the offer — but the
midfielder is not due back until early next month. The Hammers are also
looking at PSV Eindhoven's Ivory Coast striker Arouna Kone, 23.
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Real leading race for Tevez - The Sun
By MARK IRWIN
June 22, 2007
REAL MADRID believe they are winning the scramble to sign Carlos Tevez.
Reports in Spain claim Real have struck a verbal agreement with the West Ham
striker's agent and owner Kia Joorabchian. Bernabeu sporting director Pedja
Mijatovic is said to have met Joorabchian in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. But Inter
Milan's strong Argentine contingent are trying to tempt countryman Tevez to
the San Siro. Inter's Argentine skipper Javier Zanetti said: "Carlos is a
great talent and we all hope he joins us." Tevez, 23, can leave Upton Park
for just £100,000 with the rest of the expected £20million fee going to
Joorabchian's MSI group.
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Liverpool likely to raise bid for West Ham's Benayoun - The Independent
By Jason Burt
Published: 22 June 2007
Liverpool were last night preparing to raise their bid for Yossi Benayoun to
£4.5m - with West Ham United keen to do a deal if they can persuade Craig
Bellamy to move to Upton Park. The revised offer from Liverpool, who had
initially offered £3m, comes close to the £5m that West Ham hoped to receive
for the Israel international. The likelihood is that Liverpool will
eventually agree to pay especially as Benayoun is desperate to join them.
West Ham have grown frustrated with the 27-year-old midfielder after he
reneged on a verbal agreement to sign a lucrative new contract. That offer
has subsequently been withdrawn but it will be tabled again if Benayoun, who
has two years left on his current deal, pledges his future to West Ham when
he returns from holiday next week. Benayoun has been trailed by the
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez for some time. The Spaniard came close to
making a bid last summer, as did Arsenal, and The Independent revealed
earlier this month that Benitez was now determined to sign Benayoun, who
first came to prominence at Racing Santander before joining West Ham two
years ago for £2.5m.
Benayoun had threatened to hand in a transfer request when he held talks
with West Ham at the end of the season. However, it had appeared that a new
deal - doubling his pay to around £50,000 a week - and reassurances that he
will play more regularly had persuaded him to stay. But once he became aware
of Benitez's renewed interest Benayoun informed West Ham that he wanted more
time before signing.
West Ham were determined to keep the player but after losing out on Darren
Bent, with the Charlton striker changing his mind at the 11th hour on a £18m
move, they have turned their attentions to Bellamy. The Welsh international
can leave Anfield although his £12m valuation - twice what Liverpool paid
Blackburn last summer - has scared off potential bidders.
West Ham will hope that if they offer a reduced fee plus Benayoun for
Bellamy, then it will help secure the deal especially as they will also
increase his wages. They regard Bellamy as an ideal partner for Dean Ashton,
which further indicates that Carlos Tevez is leaving.
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Bent signing could see Defoe go - TeamTalk
Tottenham will reportedly listen to offers for striker Jermain Defoe should
they complete a move for Charlton star Darren Bent. The Addicks ace is
believed to favour a switch to White Hart Lane ahead of Liverpool, but his
arrival would leave Spurs with four top strikers pushing for just two places
and Defoe would almost certainly need to leave to bolster his England
prospects. The Sun claims that Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Everton and West Ham
are all monitoring the 24-year-old's situation but could be put off by a
price tag in excess of £10million. Defoe joined Spurs for £7million from the
Hammers in February 2004 and has gone on to net more than 50 goals for the
club, despite never holding down a regular first-team place. Dimitar
Berbatov and Robbie Keane are certain to start the new campaign leading the
line for Matin Jol's men, but it remains to be seen whether Defoe will be
prepared to be a bit-part player again even if a move for Bent collapses.
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Real Madrid convinced over West Ham's Tevez
tribalfooball.com - June 21, 2007
Real Madrid are convinced they're in the boxseat for West Ham United striker
Carlos Tevez. Reports in Spain claim Real have struck a verbal agreement
with the West Ham striker's agent and owner Kia Joorabchian. Bernabeu
sporting director Pedja Mijatovic is said to have met Joorabchian in Tel
Aviv on Tuesday.
But Inter Milan's strong Argentine contingent are trying to tempt countryman
Tevez to the San Siro. Inter's Argentine skipper Javier Zanetti said:
"Carlos is a great talent and we all hope he joins us." Tevez, 23, can leave
Upton Park for just £100,000 with the rest of the expected £20million fee
going to Joorabchian's MSI group.
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West Ham turn to PSV's Kone
tribalfooball.com - June 21, 2007
PSV Eindhoven striker Arouna Kone is interesting West Ham United. The
Hammers are turning to Kone after being snubbed by Charlton striker Darren
Bent last week. West Ham will have to manouvre Chelsea's close relationship
with PSV to snap up the pacy forward.
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Liverpool up bid for West Ham's Benayoun
tribalfooball.com - June 21, 2007
Liverpool are ready to up their bid for West Ham midfielder Yossi Benayoun.
The Sun says Liverpool will increase their bid for Benayoun to £4.5million -
after West Ham pulled the plug on his new contract. Benayoun is being
punished for dithering over signing a new contract after the Reds'
unsuccessful £3m bid last week. He said: "I'm honoured a club like Liverpool
is interested in me. I'm contracted to West Ham so we will have to see what
happens." West Ham insist the player has not submitted a formal transfer
request, although Benayoun's feelings have been made clear that he fancies a
move to Anfield.
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Wigan, West Ham rival Birmingham for O'Connor
tribalfooball.com - June 21, 2007
Birmingham City face competition for Lokomotiv Moscow striker Garry
O'Connor. The Scotsman says Wigan Athletic and West Ham United last night
entered the race to sign the Scotland striker from Moscow. Birmingham have
not given up hope in their quest to secure the signature of O'Connor,
however, and still believe that a deal can be done. City manager Steve Bruce
is desperate for new firepower to bolster his side's chances of staying in
the top flight following the return of Nicklas Bendtner to Arsenal after his
loan spell.
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Real Madrid chief agrees Tevez terms with Kia
tribalfooball.com - June 21, 2007
Real Madrid sports chief Pedja Mijatovic has held talks with the manager of
West Ham United star Carlos Tevez this week. AS says Mijatovic met with Kia
Joorabchian on Tuesday in Tel-Aviv to discuss a move to Madrid for the
Argentina international and it's reported they came to terms over a deal for
Tevez.
The Hammers ace is contracted at Upton Park until 2010 and along with Real,
is also interesting Manchester United and Inter Milan.
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Noble: I'd love to skipper West Ham - Harlow Citizen
By Tess McDermott
MARK Noble is already dreaming of the day when he will captain West Ham. The
tenacious midfielder has proved his worth on the international stage this
month with a series of outstanding performances in England's European U21
Championship campaign in Holland. And when he gets back he is determined to
continue his part in his home town club's succesful development. "I really
think we can go on to be a top-five team in the next few years if we sign
the players who all the talk has been about," he said. "If we do that and,
push on to get some of the best players in the world to Upton Park I'm sure
I'll be there for years to come. "I've captained the youth teams for West
Ham and it would be a dream to captain them in the Premier League and to
take us onto better things. "We've got the chairman, players, manager and
staff to kick on this season and show what we can do."
The 20-year-old spent a loan spell at Ipswich during the first part of the
season, but chose to return to Upton Park and fight for his place. His first
Premier League appearance came in West Ham's rollercoaster 4-3 defeat to
Tottenham, the performance that revitalised their belief leading to a
survival drive of seven wins from nine matches. He said: "We've now got
Scott Parker who is a fantastic player and I'm really looking forward to
playing with him. I'm hoping I come back from Holland fully fit and I'll be
firing for my place in the team."
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Neill earns captaincy - David Lewis - The World Game
Lucas Neill will skipper West Ham when the new season kicks-off after
impressing boss Alan Curbishley with his leadership qualities during the
Hammers' miracle escape from the drop. With incumbent Nigel Reo-Coker
seemingly on his way out of the club and new arrival Scott Parker the second
choice for the job, Neill will take the captain's armband when he arrives
back from Asian Cup duty with Australia in early August. Neill, also hot
favourite to skipper his country when Mark Viduka quits international
football at the end of next month, is also the supporters' choice after
standing in with some aplomb for Reo-Coker three times last season. But the
popular defender was taking nothing for granted. "It would be an honour to
skipper a club with such a proud history," he said from Bali, where he is on
holiday before linking up with the Socceroos at their Singapore training
camp. "But I'm certainly not counting my chickens."
"It goes without saying that I enjoy being a leader. "I've only been at West
Ham a short time but I'm feeling right at home now and with the ambition of
the chairman I know we can make massive strides next season." "It's exciting
to be a part of it all."
He has already captained his country on several occasions and led Blackburn
in his final season in Lancashire. A $165,000 a week pillar of strength at
right back since his arrival from Ewood Park in January, Neill was labelled
a mercenary by some after snubbing a lower wage offer from Liverpool to join
the Hammers. But he has become fan's favourite and with his contract due to
expire in 18 months, talks over an extended and upgraded deal could begin as
early as next month.
Last modified: 20 June 2007 21:52:40
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Zanetti calls for Tevez Thursday 21 June, 2007 - Channel 4
Inter captain Javier Zanetti believes fellow countryman West Ham's Carlos
Tevez would be a great signing for the Nerazzurri. The San Siro outfit
missed out on David Suazo, who will join city rivals Milan after Cagliari
reached an agreement with the club for £10m, and are now planning their next
moves in the market.
"I heard about Suazo, it is a pity, but Tevez would represent an excellent
investment," Zanetti told Radio Radio. "I don't even think it is fair to
speak of him as a consolation for failing to sign the Honduran," added the
Argentine. Inter have been paired with Tevez over the past few months and
reports suggested that President Massimo Moratti had recently started
negotiations with his manager Kia Joorabchian. Tevez, who has made it clear
that he is ready to leave the Premiership, recently admitted that the San
Siro outfit was an interesting option due to the strong Argentine contingent
in Milan. The 23-year-old is also a reported target for Real Madrid,
Sevilla, Liverpool and Manchester United and is contracted to West Ham until
2010. However, his complicated ownership means he is expected to leave the
Hammers this season, although the striker's asking price has been reported
at being anywhere from £4m to £30m. In the meantime, Inter are reportedly
following Barcelona star Samuel Eto'o as well and it is reported that
director Marco Branca flew to Barcelona on Wednesday for talks with the
Cameroon hitman.
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Scudamore to feel the heat if Blades win case - The Star Sheffield
FIFA, football's world governing body, would be powerless to prevent the
Premier League overturning Sheffield United's relegation to the Championship
should Bryan Robson's side win the latest round of the Carlos Tevez Affair.'
But FAPL chief executive Richard Scudamore, who has vigorously opposed
United's attempts to overturn the decision not to deduct West Ham points for
breaching transfer regulations when they signed the Argentina international,
would face a battle to persuade the division's 20 member clubs to vote for
expansion should a future tribunal rule in the South Yorkshire team's
favour. United, West Ham and the FAPL are anxiously awaiting the outcome of
Sir Philip Otton's investigation into the original commission's handling of
a dispute which threatens to plunge the English game into chaos.
Although Otton and his cohorts can't recommend that United be reinstated, if
they refer the matter back to the FAPL for further consideration then
Scudamore would find himself under extreme pressure to deliver a compromise
to avoid the possibility that next season's fixtures could be affected. If
that scenario materialises then, assuming United are not minded to accept
financial compensation, relegating West Ham and replacing them with Robson's
men would be the 'cleanest' of solutions. However, that would almost
certainly prompt the Londoners to issue a legal action of their own, leading
some commentators to suggest that the FAPL could temporarily be increased to
21 clubs. Speaking at the 56th FIFA Congress last year, president Sepp
Blatter endorsed a package of proposals which called for leagues across the
world to have no more than 18 clubs in their elite division. Blatter had
hoped the format would be implemented this summer but the FAPL insist that
FIFA are powerless to impose such a change. Speaking at the time, FAPL
spokesman Dan Johnson said: "Sepp Blatter cannot enforce this. "There's only
one group of people who decide the make-up of the Premier League and that's
the 20 clubs. There is no appetite for them as a collective to reduce the
size and FIFA cannot force it on us. "
21 June 2007
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